Marijuana, drug of choice for the hippy generation is not now the same drug as it was because research has increased the potency by increasing THC. For ADHDers there are likely problems because marijuana causes difficulties with attention, memory and executive functioning. These are cognitive functions with which already have difficulties. The most common claim I’ve heard for using marijuana by ADHD patients is that it makes them feel relaxed.

Those of us of a cerrain age remember Dr Timothy Leary urging us all to”tune in, turn on and drop out” by using hallucinogens like LSD. Like many substances of abuse, there is not a tremendous amount of research. It is widely believed that hallucinogens were dangerous to some people and that they would have a bad trip and never come back to reality. Dr Leary’s contention was that tripping with hallucinogens opened up one’s mind to a higher level of consciousness. There are those that suggest that using LSD did indeed open their minds up to a higher level of awareness. There is, However, little research support for this contention.

Inhalants, such as aerosols and spray paints became popular in the 1970s and 1980s with the “huffing” craze. The craze more or less died secondary to the negative cognitive effects of repeated huffing, but it’s still around.

There’s not a lot of research on ADHDer’s abuse of sedatives. Like for every one they become dangerous when combined with alcohol. Informal views suggest ADHDers don’t like sedatives because they don’t stimulate.

Of all the substances of abuse, alcohol causes the most difficulties for ADHDers. Because it’s easily available, people tend to think it’s not dangerous. Given the ADHDear’s predilection for impulsive, thrill-seeking behavior and poor impulse control, they are more likely to drink earlier in life, drink more per drinking occasion, and have more difficulties stopping.

ADHDers have a propensity for substance abuse, given their impulsivity and impatience. Additionally, they are generally looking for a way to feel better, especially if they haven’t been treated with stimulant medication. Despite many parents’ concerns about stimulant medication leading to substance abuse, it’s the ADHDers that aren’t receiving stimulant medication that are more prone to substance abuse.

Many ADHD families have one spouse with and one spouse without ADHD. Frequently the spouse without ADHD—the responsible, reliable and consistent one—starts to feel like they’ve got an extra child because of the ADHD spouse’s executive function problems. The therapist or coach in this situation will frequently have to remind this spouse of the reasons the ADHD spouse was chosen—usually fun-loving, creative, good sense of humor and high energy are among the characteristics that attracted them.

Most ADHD executives and entrepreneurs utilize a coach to help them compensate for the executive functioning problems they have that interfere with their productivity. Coaching - with its goal of maximizing human performance - is ideal for this task. Coaching is also ideal for students, particularly college students. Coaching is also helpful for executives who don’t have ADHD.

In a traditional family in the past, the Mother had the bulk of the responsibilities for parenting the children. Dad was there to teach batting, throwing and fielding, plus some domestic maintenance. Nowadays, the parenting responsibilities are more shared and Dad's role is more important for both boys and girls. Children learn appropriate behavior more from observing their parents than from any lecture  or formal instruction. If Dad is the parent with ADHD, it is even more important that he model appropriate behavior.

While punishment is generally ineffective with ADHD, there are those parents who take it to extremes and want to protect their ADHDer from any negative events in his/her life. This is long term disastrous. Your ADHDer is going to have to deal with a society and an educational system that is not designed for his/her brain. Therefore succeeding is going to require the kind of persistence and resilience that comes from succeeding in spite of obstacles like ADHD. They need to know that they can succeed on their own even if it's difficult. They don't develop this mindset by being rescued from consequences by well-meaning parents.