Autistic Traits in Men With Substance Use Disorder

Abstract

There has been no study in the literature evaluating autistic traits (ATs) in men with substance use disorders (SUDs). Therefore, we performed the current study to evaluate whether there is a relation between the ATs among men with SUDs and normal controls. A total of 142 men with SUDs and 109 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the current study. Present attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms of the participants were evaluated using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. The autism spectrum quotient (AQ) was used to evaluate ATs. The current study found that higher AQ imagination and lower AQ attention to detail scores predicted SUDs after controlling for AQ subscales and present ADHD symptoms. This study shows that ATs may be engaged in the development of SUDs. To explore the connection between ATs and SUDs, more research is needed.

The Relationship Among Autistic Traits, Impulsivity, and Functionality in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

“…Tureck et al (2015) revealed a positive correlation between the severity of autistic symptoms and inattention/impulsivity. It has been reported that autistic traits increase behavioral problems (Saito et al, 2017), substance use disorder (Lundström et al, 2011), and are associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms (Isik et al, 2020). Grant and Chamberlain (2021) determined a correlation between autistic traits and attentional impulsivity in university students who gambled.…”

“…It is a 4-point Likert-type self-report questionnaire consisting of 50 questions and comprises five domains: social skill, attention switching, attention to detail, communication, and imagination (Baron-Cohen et al, 2001). High scores on the scale indicate increased autistic traits (Isik et al, 2020). The validity and reliability of the Turkish version have been evaluated previously (Köse et al, 2010).…”

“…Although ASD is relatively rare in community samples, autistic traits have been shown to be more common (Brugha et al, 2011; Isik et al, 2020). Autistic traits can be masked by mental disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and OCD in adulthood (Bejerot et al, 2001).…”