My clinical background as a psychiatrist started in treating addiction disorders. I was attracted to this field because it acknowledges the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual context of where the problems arise. Some of biological predispositions such as impulse control, distraction, attention problems, and attraction to novelty and high intensity circumstances (these days there’s a lot of talk on dopamine seeking) fall on the same spectrum as the core neurobiological specifics of ADHD. This has implications in the treatment as well, as we utilize various methods including medications to manage ADHD symptoms. It takes clinical experience to monitor proper use versus misuse or potential addictive use of stimulant medications. Many of the behavioral addictions also are the misdirected self managements of core ADHD symptoms. Some of my patients become frustrated with me and call me over cautious in prescribing stimulants, but my decades of experience with addictive illnesses and their treatments give rise to this caution, and I do believe it is ultimately serving my patients well.