Substance Use and Neurodiversity

Respond effectively to substance use in neurodivergent communities

How can substance use services better support neurodivergent people?

Many people with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent profiles face barriers when seeking help with drug and alcohol use, often encountering services not designed with their needs in mind.

This course equips you with practical skills to provide inclusive support. You’ll learn to recognise neurodiversity in substance use contexts, adapt your service delivery, and create accessible environments.

Understand neurodiversity in substance use contexts

Explore what neurodiversity means in practice and how autism and ADHD can shape communication, risk perception, and engagement with support services.

You’ll examine how traditional service models may unintentionally exclude neurodivergent people.

You’ll develop a clearer understanding of client needs, helping you recognise when neurodiversity may be influencing presentation, behaviour, or treatment response.

Adapt services to improve accessibility and engagement

Discover how small changes can significantly improve accessibility. You’ll explore practical ways to adapt service design from first contact and assessment through to ongoing support and referral.

You’ll learn to modify environments, processes, and communication styles to improve access and retention whilst maintaining safety standards.

Develop assessment, engagement, and advocacy skills

Learn to identify possible ADHD or autism, screen appropriately, and understand when to refer for formal assessment. Real-life scenarios illustrate evidence-informed ways to engage with neurodivergent people who use substances.

You’ll develop skills to adapt language, pacing, and support plans, and learn to advocate effectively for clients whilst respecting autonomy.

This course is ideal for anyone supporting people who use drugs and alcohol, including project workers, peer workers, health and social care staff, nurses, psychologists, managers, and administrators seeking neurodiverse-informed practice.

This course is ideal for anyone supporting people who use drugs and alcohol, including project workers, peer workers, health and social care staff, nurses, psychologists, managers, and administrators seeking neurodiverse-informed practice.

• Explain neurodiversity and in particular ADHD and autism
• Develop practical skills in the assessment of clients for ADHD or autism
• Explore evidence-informed practice and appropriate ways of engaging and working with a person who uses substances and has ADHD or autism
• Develop practical approaches to making your service neurodiverse-informed
• Identify pathways for assessment and appropriate further assessment and treatment if required