Predicting a Tendency to Use Drugs From Child and Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adults

Abstract

BackgroundAdult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of several psychiatric disorders, like substance use disorders (SUDs).ObjectivesThis study aimed to predict the tendency for drug use from child and adult ADHD symptoms in adults among male students from Tabriz University, Iran.Patients and MethodsFor this purpose, 361 students were selected via a stratified random sampling from different faculties of Tabriz University. The students completed the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale self-report form and subscale (CAARS) questionnaire, Addiction Acknowledgment Scale (AAS) and MacAndrew Alcoholism Revised-Scale (MAC-R).ResultsTo analyze the data Pearson correlation and multiple regressions (step by step) were used. Results indicated that there is a significant relationship between scores on the AAS and MAC-R via child and adult ADHD symptoms (P = 0.01). Moreover, we found that those with the highest addiction acknowledgment (13%) exhibited adult ADHD (total) and child ADHD. Alcohol potential (15%) was related to scores of child ADHD and impulsivity.ConclusionsAccording to this result behavioral disorders, especially ADHD, have an effect on the tendency to use drugs and therefore the primary treatment of behavioral disorders could prevent future drug abuse.

The Prevalence of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Among Students and Its Relation with Drug Consumption

“…In this study, ADHD adult symptoms were observed in 15.4% of the students, which is in agreement with the rates of incidence reported in similar studies, though somewhat higher than those obtained in some other studies, which report the adult rate of incidence as between 0.3% and 6% (1,(6)(7)(8)(9). In a study conducted on 409 female students in Iran in 2004, the incidence of the disorder based on the Inattention-Hyperactvity Index was reported to be 3.7% (7).…”

“…Approximately 30% to 70% of children suffering from the ADHD enter adolescence with their affliction, and doctors prescribe a continuation of therapy for them (3,4). Different studies report an ADHD incidence of 0.3% to 6% in adults (1,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The incidence rate is also high, 30% to 50%, among drug abuse patients (10), which makes responding to therapy difficult for them (6,11).…”

Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Suicide Attempters: A Case Control Study From Iran, West Asia

“…Additionally, Sarrami-Foroushani obtained the co-efficients of reliability for the scale (0.95) (24). In another study, the reliability coefficient of the inventory with a sample size of 361 subjects was 0.90 (25).…”

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): on the Role of Alcohol and Societal Factors

“…ADHD predicts future substance abuse/dependence ( 1 ). In the West, the earlier shift from behavioral to neurological emphasis concerning ADHD was revised ( 2 ), while Russian literature places neurophysiologic mechanisms into the foreground.…”