Intersecting Realities: Neurodivergence and Substance Use
Conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder have been linked with unique patterns of substance use and elevated rates of harm, often related to managing untreated symptoms and stress.
Health systems aren’t currently built to monitor or respond effectively to the complex nature of neurodivergence and substance use. Gaps in access to screening, diagnosis and affirming care are barriers to seeking and obtaining support, fuelling the risk of preventable harm if left unmanaged.
Join us to explore the intersections between neurodivergence and substance use and unpack why they commonly co-exist, how people can fall through diagnosis, prevention and treatment gaps, and what inclusive support systems might look like.
This webinar is relevant to anyone working in the health, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, disability, or education sectors.
What we’ll cover:
- What neurodivergence and substance use presentations look like in real-world settings
- What the data says about why neurodivergent may experience increased risk of harm
- How policy and service gaps have been left unresolved
- Where we go from here to build more holistic and inclusive models of care
Intersecting Realities: Neurodivergence and Substance Use
Wednesday 29 October 2025
1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT
Webinar held via Microsoft Teams, free admission
Meet our speakers
Sarah Helm
Executive Director, New Zealand Drug Foundation (Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri)
Sarah (Pākehā, Ngāi Tahu) is an experienced leader and CEO, driven by lived experiences and work at the forefront of leading change on health, youth, social and environmental issues.
Sarah’s experience includes working for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as Strategic Communications Manager for the COVID-19 response, and for the Alcohol Advisory Council, Health Promotion Agency, and NZ AIDS Foundation. Sarah was also head of the NZ Association of Adolescent Health & Development (Ara Taiohi) for several years.
Sarah will discuss findings and recommendations made in the 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand report: Neurodivergence and substance use.
Dr Eddie Mullen
Clinical Director of Community and Enhanced Care, Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Dr Mullen is the Clinical Director of Community and Enhanced Care at Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (formerly known as Orygen Specialist Program) and provides integrated tertiary-level community and bed-based care to young people across Inner and Outer Western Metropolitan Melbourne.
Dr Mullen is also the Medical Co-Lead of the Youth Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Stream at PYMHWS, investigating new treatment approaches with the Substance Use Research Group at the Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne. One key area of his work is improved developmental perspectives of substance use from early adolescence and the intersection of neurodiversity and addiction.
Dr Mullen will provide clinical insights about the links between neurodivergence and substance use, and diagnosis, treatment and support options in Australia.