Ant McPartlin's ADHD diagnosis and how it affects his life: 'It allows me to switch gears quickly'

Trigger warning: Addiction

Ant McPartlin has been on television for several decades with his longtime TV partner-in-crime, Declan Donnelly. Behind the funny facade Ant showed on TV, he was going through a silent battle with addiction.

In 2018, the I’m a Celebrity host was arrested over a drink-driving collision and was forced to attend a rehabilitation centre for his prescription painkiller and alcohol addiction. As a result, he was also suspended from ITV for 20 months. At the time, Holly Willoughby filled in for him on I’m a Celeb, which has just started its latest series.

Ant McPartlin’s arrest in 2018

As reported by BBC News, Ant McPartlin was arrested on March 18, 2018, after police were called to Lower Richmond Road in Mortlake. McPartlin was arrested at the scene of the accident after failing a roadside breathalyser test. Ant was also ordered to pay an £86,000 fine.

As per BBC News, the TV host had spent two months in rehab the year prior (2017) for his painkiller and alcohol addiction, which reportedly began after a painful knee operation in 2015. Moreover, earlier in the year, Ant had confirmed he and his wife of 11 years were divorcing.

Ant McPartlin pleaded guilty to the charges and readmitted himself to a rehabilitation centre. During his second time round in a rehab centre, Ant received a diagnosis that changed his life and explained many aspects of his life, including his addiction.

Ant McPartlin was diagnosed with ADHD

During his recovery, Ant McPartlin was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since receiving his diagnosis, the TV presenter has been very open about his struggles and living with it.

In an interview with The Sun in 2019, Ant revealed that he discovered things about himself he ‘hadn’t addressed for years’ when he received his diagnosis.

I never knew that until afterwards. I was so thoroughly examined and diagnosed, I found stuff out about me I hadn’t addressed for years.

At the time, he also added that it ‘made sense’ and that ADHD and addiction often go together:

There are a lot of links to alcohol-dependency, which I studied a lot when I was away.

As Ant McPartlin explained, ADHD and addiction often go hand in hand according to several studies. As reported by Web MD, someone with ADHD is five times more likely to become an alcoholic than someone without the condition.

Dr. Sarah Johnson, MD, explained to Healtline that those affected by ADHD may turn to drugs as a form of ‘self-medication’:

Drug-seeking behavior may be used as a means of self-medication in order to compensate for this lack of balance and to avoid feelings of unpleasantness.

In a more recent interview, Ant revealed he doesn't mind talking about his struggles:

I’ve got ADHD. I don’t mind talking about it.

He repeated once again:

I underwent thorough evaluations and assessments, and through that process, I uncovered aspects of myself that I hadn’t confronted in years.

Despite the difficulties that come with ADHD, Ant also explained that it does help him in his line of work, as per Express:

In my job, having what they call 'popcorn thinking' is incredibly advantageous because it allows me to switch gears quickly and tackle various tasks.

Read more:

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Sources used:

BBC News: ‘Ant McPartlin arrested over drink-driving collision’

Express: ‘I'm A Celebrity star Ant McPartlin deals with 'life changing' condition every day’

The Sun: ‘DR SAYS I'VE GOT ADHD Ant McPartlin reveals he has ADHD after horror car crash and says ‘his heart goes out to other sufferers’

Web MD: ‘ADHD and Substance Abuse’

Healthline: ‘Exploring the Powerful Link Between ADHD and Addiction’