scholarly journals Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and drug addiction rehabilitation patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1003-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Henrique Ferreira Camargo ◽  
Tarcísio Fanha Dornelles ◽  
Karin Barszcz ◽  
Eduardo Antunes Martins

ABSTRACT Objective Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ADHD and drug dependence. Methods The presence and severity of ADHD and substance use were evaluated through questionnaires in 80 adult patients in therapeutic communities. Results No difference in drug use or dependence prevalence between ADHD and non-ADHD patients was found. However, ADHD patients had lower ages on admission (p = 0.004) and at first contact with cocaine (p = 0.033). In ADHD patients, there was a negative correlation between the age at first use of cannabis and the subsequent severity of cannabis use (p = 0.017) and cocaine use (p = 0.033). Conclusions Though there was no difference in prevalence of drug use among groups, results show that ADHD in patients in therapeutic communities may cause different addiction patterns, such as earlier use of cocaine and admission, and a more severe use of cocaine correlated to earlier contact with cannabis.

CNS Spectrums ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 55-58
Author(s):  
Amy Bauer ◽  
Ranga Ram ◽  
Kim M. Schindler ◽  
Michele T. Pato ◽  
Fabio Macciardi ◽  
...  

AbstractSubstance use disorder (SUD) pedigrees identified through an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) proband may be helpful in teasing apart the genetic risks for both ADHD and SUD (ie, alcohol or drug use). Pedigrees segregating for both SUD and ADHD may represent a subset of both of these common disorders that share a related genetic basis. We determined the number of SUD and ADHD pedigrees in a sample of 175 ADHD probands. We found 52 ADHD pedigrees, indicating that at least 29.7% were familial cases. We also found 50 SUD pedigrees; 13 families contained both an alcohol and a drug pedigree, 35 families were alcohol-only pedigrees, and two families were drug-only pedigrees. The incidence of drug-only pedigrees is significantly higher (P<0.01) in families with familial ADHD. This was also true for families with both drug and alcohol pedigrees (P<0.01). The total number of SUD pedigrees and the families with alcohol-alone pedigrees were not significantly different in ADHD pedigrees compared with nonfamilial ADHD families.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Magon ◽  
Ulrich Müller

SummarySubstance use disorders are a frequent comorbidity in adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This review discusses the relationship between adult ADHD and substance use disorder, including use of licit and illicit substances such as nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. We discuss treatment studies in this area and provide a treatment algorithm to guide clinicians in the management of adult ADHD comorbid with different forms and severities of substance use disorder.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S21-S21
Author(s):  
F. Moggi

IntroductionAdults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms show higher prevalence rates for substance use disorders (SUD).ObjectivesFew longitudinal studies have been conducted to observe the course of substance use among adults with ADHD.AimsThis study examined the predictive value of ADHD symptoms during the course of substance use in a population sample.MethodsIn two waves data from a representative sample of 5103 Swiss men in their early 20s were collected (baseline and 15-month follow-up) in the longitudinal “Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors” (C-SURF). ADHD symptoms and substance use were assessed using the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and self-administered SUD questionnaires, respectively. Individuals who screened positive for ADHD (ADHD+) were compared to those who screened negative (ADHD−).ResultsAt baseline, the 215 individuals in the ADHD+ group (4.2%) showed considerably higher prevalence and frequency of substance use and prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use disorders relative to the ADHD− group. While alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and heroin use remained stable from baseline to follow-up, the ADHD+ group was more likely to begin using illicit drugs (i.e. amphetamines, speed, ecstasy, hallucinogens, and cocaine) and initiate nonmedical use of prescription drugs (i.e. stimulants/amphetamines, hypnotics, and tranquilizers) relative to the ADHD− group.ConclusionsYoung men with ADHD symptoms displayed more severe substance use patterns and were at a high risk of initiating drug use within 15 months. The identification of ADHD symptoms during early adulthood may be relevant in early interventions to lower the risk of drug use.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.


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