Eric Galvin, 32, was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult having been battling addiction and suffering the consequences of “impulsive behaviour” for years. He is one of three adults who’ve spoken to the In The News podcast from The Irish Times about the links between ADHD and addiction. Addiction services in Ireland report high numbers of people with ADHD coming to them for help, and studies from Trinity College suggest a fifth of people who use drugs and alcohol have symptoms of ADHD. Oonagh Montague, 52, said when she reached menopause it compounded her ADHD symptoms and her smoking got out of control. ADHD Ireland is calling for addiction services to be better equipped to deal with people who have ADHD, and for them to make screening services available.

Source: The Irish Times January 23, 2026 18:01 UTC