233 One Year Sober: A Mom's Perspective on Weed and ADHD with Natalie Chien

Oct 17, 2023

Former marijuana addict, Natalie Chien, discusses her journey of sobriety and how undiagnosed ADHD played a role. They explore the increased susceptibility of individuals with ADHD to substance use and addiction. The chapter covers the speaker's emotional regulation, parenting challenges, and the return of dreams after quitting substance use.

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INSIGHT

Higher Cannabis Use in ADHD Adults

Adults with ADHD use cannabis 2-3 times more than those without ADHD.
They face higher risks for cannabis use disorder and early heavy use.

ANECDOTE

Cannabis Began as Coping Mechanism

Natalie started using cannabis in high school to cope with family stress and undiagnosed ADHD.
The plant helped her sleep and feel socially at ease but eventually led to dependency.

ANECDOTE

Addiction Transforms Priorities

Natalie’s addiction showed in prioritizing finding cannabis over other activities, like sightseeing abroad.
This behavior highlighted the grip cannabis had over her life and experiences.

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We have a unique episode this week, covering a topic I’ve honestly never known how to approach here: cannabis use for adults with ADHD. First things first, you need to know that this episode will be only one perspective on a subject I’d never pretend to be an expert in.

Joining me is a very special guest, Natalie Chien, @Natalie.C.ADHD who is not only a member of my group coaching program FOCUSED, but she’s also completed my ADHD coaching program! Natalie was formerly addicted to recreational marijuana and is now celebrating one year of sobriety after smoking for almost two decades.

Like many everyday marijuana users, Natalie started smoking with friends at a young age, but by the time she reached college, she had developed a serious dependency and failed to learn real and beneficial coping mechanisms to deal with things like stress and family issues.

On top of that, Natalie had an underlying suspicion that she had ADHD, but it went undiagnosed and largely untreated until her thirties. Today she can look back and recognize that the marijuana numbed her of any and all real feelings, and emotional regulation was never even on her radar until she joined FOCUSED. She missed out on significant life experiences and self-development by being tied down to a plant with temporary benefits.

The biggest message both Natalie and I want to leave our listeners with in this episode is that those of us with ADHD are more susceptible to substance use and addiction. When our ADHD is left undiagnosed, unmedicated, or untreated, we will inevitably find some way or something to help us feel better. For Natalie, starting therapy, ADHD medication and joining FOCUSED opened her up mentally and physically to start making serious life changes and motivated her to step away from cannabis use entirely.

See below for an insightful article on ADHD and cannabis as well as where you can connect with Natalie. For those of you who have never tried ADHD coaching before, I invite you to come join us in FOCUSED.

Resources:
ADHD and Marijuana; What's the Attraction?

Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE!