ADHD, Substance Use Risk, and What Parents Can DoIn this episode, Denise Mayer speaks with Pat Aussem, Vice President of Consumer Clinical Content Development at Partnership to End Addiction, about the connection between ADHD and increased risk for substance use in children and teens. They break down what ADHD really is, why the “pause button” in the brain can be harder to access, and how parents can support kids with practical strategies, structure, and encouragement.Pat explains that ADHD is not a parenting failure, but a brain-based difference that affects attention, impulsivity, and decision-making. The conversation also covers medication concerns, how to talk with children about their diagnosis without focusing only on labels, and why early treatment and support can be protective against later substance use.A major theme of the episode is hope: with the right tools, support team, and honest conversations, kids with ADHD can thrive. Key topics covered:
- What ADHD looks like in children and adults
- Why children with ADHD may be at higher risk for substance use
- The brain’s “pause button” and impulse control
- Behavior-based strategies that help kids succeed
- Medication, side effects, and provider oversight
- How to talk with parents who are skeptical of mental health support
- Protective factors during the teen years
- Why early treatment can reduce later substance use risk
- Healthy risk-taking and school supports
- How families can use community support and professional help
- ADHD is a skill gap, not a character flaw.
- Parents should focus on behaviors, not stigma.
- Medication is only one tool — support and routines matter too.
- Early treatment can help lower substance use risk later.
- Children do best when parents build a team around them.
- Partnership to End Addiction: https://drugfree.org
- CRAFT support approach: Community Reinforcement and Family Training
Resources mentioned: Guest: Pat Aussem Host: Denise Mayer Podcast: Step Up to Save Our Children Producer: Project Podcast Co.
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Step Up to Save Our Children is a new podcast promoting a healthy, safe and drug fee community. Important topics with professional guests provide information on a variety of topics from high potency marijuana, underage drinking, fentanyl poisoning and other drug and mental health related issues. This podcast, Step Up to Save Our children, is attempting to meet parents and caregivers where you are. Whether at home, exercising or waiting for your child from sports, music or ballet, this will be your opportunity to keep your children safe by educating yourself to the dangers they face.
Who am I? Denise Mayer is a 53-year resident of Anderson Township. Denise received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in many volunteer endeavors and was the creator and publisher of Brainstorm Magazine, a publication written by and for high school students that was distributed at sixty-five high schools in the Greater Cincinnati area in the late 80’s and 90’s. A huge advocate for children’s safety and welfare, Denise started Step Up Anderson Township to bring awareness and education to the community on the topics of illegal drugs, vaping, and underage drinking that are affecting our young people. She is a wife of 53 years, mother of three daughters, and grandmother of six, all living in the Anderson Township area and attending Forest Hills Schools. She and her husband Rick are dedicated to their welfare and health as well as that of the Anderson Community.
