Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often misunderstood and stigmatized, with 60-80% of individuals having additional mental health conditions. This overlap complicates ADHD management and is linked to increased substance use risks. Key factors include impulsivity and sensation seeking, self-medication for symptom relief, neurobiological differences in brain function, and co-occurring disorders like conduct and mood disorders. This presentation will examine these connections and offer strategies for managing ADHD and substance use disorders in young adults within behavioral health settings.

Presenter:

Trish Caldwell, MFT, LPC, CAADC, CCDP-D, is an experienced Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Promises Behavioral Health, with over 27 years in the field. For the past 17 years, she has also served as an adjunct professor in Drexel University’s Master’s in Family Therapy program. Caldwell is dedicated to clinical and operational excellence through program development that supports measured care and outcomes. She emphasizes clinical quality using evidence-based practices aligned with a trauma-informed approach. Notably, Caldwell created Delaware County's first Young Offenders Treatment Program for first-time drug offenders. A regular speaker at national and regional conferences, she specializes in topics related to behavioral health. Caldwell is a licensed marriage and family therapist, holding her MFT from Drexel, and has served as a field reviewer for SAMHSA's Treatment Improvement Protocol. She is certified in substance use and co-occurring disorders, as well as clinical trauma.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the relationship between ADHD and substance use.
• Participants will be able to identify the impact of impulsivity and sensation seeking.
• Participants will be able to promote healthy coping strategies and effective lifestyle interventions.