Substance use in young adults with ADHD: Comorbidity and symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity

Abstract

Young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at high risk of substance use (SU). The aims of the current study were: 1) to examine the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other illegal drugs by adults with and without ADHD; 2) to compare the oppositional, conduct, anxiety, depression, sleep and antisocial personality symptoms of ADHD adults with SU and ADHD adults without SU; 3) to examine the ability of ADHD symptoms and conduct problems to predict SU. A total of 93 young adults, 43 without ADHD and 50 with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD, who were part of the Spanish sample of the Multicenter ADHD Genetics (IMAGE) study, collaborated in a follow-up evaluation 10.1 years later. ADHD participants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of SU. Statistically significant differences were found between young adults with and without ADHD in their use of tobacco, marijuana and alcohol. A statistically significant association was also shown between externalization problems and a greater risk of SU. Conduct problems, to a greater degree than ADHD symptoms, affect SU in ADHD adults.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Global Severity Profiles in Treatment-Seeking Patients with Substance Use Disorders

“…For example, childhood trauma was not associated with ADHD symptom severity among ADHD patients, but with increased symptom levels in ASRS among those not diagnosed with ADHD [52]. Other studies that failed to find an association between ADHD severity and SUD suggested that CD symptoms, rather than ADHD symptoms, were strongest predictor of substance use, especially for marijuana and cocaine [53].…”

Substance use and internalizing symptoms among high school students and access to health care services: results from a population-based study

“…While it is well established that externalizing disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder frequently co-occur with SUDs (Dirks et al 2017;Miranda et al 2016;Ottosen et al 2016;van Emmerik-van Oortmerssen et al 2014), relatively less attention has been paid to the co-occurrence between SUD and internalizing problems such as depression and anxiety. It has been estimated that up to 24-50% of youth with SUDs also have depression (Hersh et al 2014;Kaminer 2016); these disorders are associated in both the general population and clinical samples (Hersh et al 2014;Kaminer 2016).…”

Percepção de mães brasileiras e espanholas sobre os problemas de comportamento dos filhos com tdah

“…A associação do TDAH com problemas externalizantes pode ajudar a entender as evidências apontadas nas pesquisas que relacionam este transtorno à vulnerabilidade destas crianças e adolescentes que estão mais suscetíveis à reprovação, expulsão e abandono escolar, ao abuso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas, às práticas de riscos, delituosas e antissociais, à violação de regras, aos comportamentos agressivos (Barbaresi et al, 2013;Bauermeister, 2014;López-Soler & Romero Medina, 2013;Miranda, Colomer, Berenguer, Roselló, & Roselló, 2015;Ohlmeier et al, 2008;Possa, Spanemberg, & Guardiola, 2005). Os problemas de conduta observados geralmente resultam em desafios para os pais, familiares e cuidadores, pois dificultam na aprendizagem de comportamentos adaptativos positivos, no autocontrole, na autorregulação das emoções e na aquisição de habilidades sociais necessárias nas relações interpessoais (Tureck et al, 2013).…”