Meeting your Needs,
Moving Forward
“When you meet the Needs, the Traits Recede” – Diane O'Reilly
Coaching for Adults with ADHD and/or Addiction, Rooted in Lived Experience and Practical Strategies
All behaviour makes sense...
All behaviour serves a purpose — even behaviours that feel harmful or frustrating. In ADHD and addiction, what looks like “self-sabotage” or “bad habits” is often our brain and body’s way of meeting unmet needs. These behaviours work… at least for a time. They are solutions, even if they come with costs.
Recovery and lasting change begin when we identify what those needs are and learn healthier ways to meet them. Instead of “fixing” or attacking the behaviour, we replace it with strategies, routines, and supports that truly nourish the mind and body.
By understanding the why behind our actions, we stop the cycle of shame and self-blame, and we gain the freedom to make choices that actually work for us — building focus, energy, confidence, and resilience along the way.
' The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself. ' Mark Twain
From Struggle to Understanding
I know how it feels — living with ADHD while navigating recovery from addiction. For years, I tried to “fix” myself, compounding shame and frustration, only to realize that this approach never led to lasting change.
When we approach ADHD or Addiction from a controlling and correction place rather than an understanding, nurturing or compassionate one, we only add more fuel to the shame cycle, continuing the need to keep using.
We lose time, confidence, self trust, relationships, opportunities — and eventually the freedom to make choices that truly serve us.
When you Meet the Needs the Traits Recede…
Meeting Needs, Creating Change
Through my own ADHD & Addiction Recovery journey and through my years of working with people, I’ve learned that when underlying needs are identified and met, behaviours naturally shift. ADHD is a neurodivergent condition, not a flaw, and the coping strategies we develop — including addictive behaviours — are ways our brain and body create relief and manage stress.
In coaching with me, we focus on self-acceptance, compassion, and practical strategies. Together, we uncover what’s driving your behaviours, build tools that support your brain and body, and create a path forward that feels sustainable, empowering, and aligned with your life.
“I must create my own system or forever be enslaved by another man’s.”
—William Blake
Hi. I’m Diane O’Reilly...
Hi, I’m Diane O’Reilly.
I’m ADHD myself and have spent years coaching hundreds of people navigating ADHD and addictive behaviours. I bring a CRAFT-informed and Motivational Interviewing approach, grounded in my own lived experience of ADHD and long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder.
I help clients navigate the intersection of ADHD and recovery with insight, empathy, and practical strategies.
“You Are In The Right Place”
—Recovery Slogan
Credentials & Training
-Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CCRC)
-Recovery Coach Professional (RCP, CCAR)
-CRAFT-trained, family-focused facilitator
-Motivational Interviewing practitioner
-Trained Mindfulness Guide
-Member of the Helping Families Help Network and IARCP
I believe in a thorough Intake Phase, ensuring we have clarity of purpose and a full understanding of the areas in your life that drain you. From there, we co-create a plan to move forward in a way that makes success possible
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.”
—Carl Bard.
Typical challenges we work on:
Low Motivation & Procrastination
Poor Impulse Control
Low Self Awareness & Overanalyzing
Perfectionism & Negative Self-talk
Poor Self-care Habits
Low Self-esteem & Self-trust
Addictive or Draining Behaviours
Ways we can work together:
One-to-One Monthly Coaching
for ADHD
Consistent weekly sessions, 1-1 attention and in-between session check-ins, gives you the accountability partner needed to define goals, generate momentum and get the results you deserve.
Addiction Recovery Coaching
Begins with a Discovery Call and an honest appraisal of your needs, challenges and goals followed up with a personalized proposal on the kind of work we can do together.
A typical coaching agreement would include an Intake month followed by around 5-6 months of weekly Coaching.
Includes in-between session accountability text check ins.
Sober Companion
Not everyone wanting to get sober can take months off work to go to a Rehab or is able to attend a 12 step group.
This alternative service gives you another option.
A trusted sobriety partner, a private and anonymous Life Coach and accountability partner.
This specialized service is typically round the clock support for the first phase of recovery or for challenging one off situations.
What my clients say...
Diane, I really want to thank you for working with us. I really think your coaching was an integral part of the success we are seeing, in the meantime, keep doing what you are doing! You are really helping these kids!
—L.H.
Life became extremely busy after our session, largely due to the spectacular success of the strategies you gave me to get unstuck. Not only did I get things moving, but I had major breakthroughs in just about every area of my life.
—A.V.
Honestly, tonight truly felt so amazing, it’s one of the nights that no matter where I land, it’s something I will always remember. All of this is because of you, I was in a dark hole with a variety of things clashing in at once, and you helped me to push myself forward, I can’t thank you enough.
—B.C.
Telesummit & Webinar Comments...
Diane was so encouraging and affirmed one of my favourite sayings; To always bring crayons to the ‘bored’ meeting of life, to be creative, to make it fun! I love creativity in all aspects of life and she reminded me why…
Using ‘another man’s system’ has made me feel like if I try any harder my skin will fall off, and it’s still doesn’t work!! JEEZ, I’m not a loser and I never was…THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU! Diane O’Reilly. BRILLANT
O.M.G! This really is GOLD!
I feel like crying just listening to you bring clarity to the confusion in mine and my family’s lives all these years
Love, love, love. Such juicy content!!!