Prevalence of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in opiate-dependent adults

Abstract

Background. There is a clear association between childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders in adulthood. Symptoms of attention deficit disorder may also persist into adulthood. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of childhood ADHD in a sample of treatment seeking opiate-dependent adults. Methods. Treatment-seeking opiate-dependent subjects completed the Utah adult ADHD screening test and the self-report early delinquency scale. Results. A total of 15% were "likely" and 49 were "highly likely" to have suffered ADHD in childhood. The averages scores for the delinquency scales were over 6 times those reported from population norms. Conclusion. Symptoms of childhood ADHD is common in adults with opiate dependence. The residual symptoms in adults should be investigated as may be amenable to newer treatments for adult attention deficit disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dual disorders. Educational needs for an underdiagnosed condition

“…In patients with a cocaine use disorder the coexistence of a diagnosis of ADHD is associated with an earlier onset of cocaine, tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use (73,76); with more frequent and more severe cocaine use (73); and with more severe psychiatric comorbidity (78). The prevalence of ADHD in patients with opioid dependence is high as well, such that 19%-55% of patients in methadone maintenance treatment have been reported to have a childhood history of ADHD (67,(92)(93)(94)(95). In opioid-dependent individuals, the coexistence of ADHD is associated with increasingly severe adverse consequences, including significatively higher rates of comorbid SUDs and of other Table 1 Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with ADHD and a comorbid SUD compared with patients with exclusive ADHD or an SUD.…”