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Comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorder complexity and chronicity in treatment-seeking adults

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Open access
Authors
Young, Jesse
Carruthers, Susan
Kaye, S.
Allsop, Steve
Gilsenan, J.
Degenhardt, L.
van de Glind, G.
van den Brink, W.
Preen, D.
Date
2015
Type
Journal Article

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Young, J. and Carruthers, S. and Kaye, S. and Allsop, S. and Gilsenan, J. and Degenhardt, L. and van de Glind, G. et al. 2015. Comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorder complexity and chronicity in treatment-seeking adults. Drug and Alcohol Review. 34 (6): pp. 683-693.
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Drug and Alcohol Review
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National Drug Research Institute (NDRI)
Remarks

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: "Young, J. and Carruthers, S. and Kaye, S. and Allsop, S. and Gilsenan, J. and Degenhardt, L. and van de Glind, G. et al. 2015. Comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorder complexity and chronicity in treatment-seeking adults. Drug and Alcohol Review. 34 (6): pp. 683-693.", which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12249. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving at http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-820227.html#terms

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Abstract

Introduction and Aims - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a known risk factor for substance use disorder (SUD); however, the potential additive contribution of comorbid ADHD to drug-specific dependence in SUD populations is largely unknown. The current study aimed to assess this association between ADHD symptoms and drug-specific SUD complexity and chronicity. Design and Methods - A cross-sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of 489 adults receiving SUD treatment at 16 Australian drug and alcohol treatment centres between September 2010 and August 2011. Participants were screened for adult ADHD symptoms using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. Associations between ADHD screening status and drug-specific SUD complexity and chronicity were assessed using multivariate logistic and modified Poisson regression analysis, controlling for a range of potential confounders. Results - Overall, 215 (44%) patients screened positive for concurrent adult ADHD and SUD. After Simes' correction, a significant positive association was observed between ADHD screening status and current amphetamine SUD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–2.36). Patients who screened positive for ADHD were significantly more likely to report SUD history for heavy alcohol use (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.21–3.45) and amphetamine (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.26–3.06) as well as significantly increased risk of moderate (3–4 years) duration for benzodiazepine and amphetamine SUDs and long (≥5 years) duration for alcohol, opiates other than heroin or methadone, and amphetamine SUDs. Discussion and Conclusions - The findings provide evidence that there is increased drug dependence complexity and chronicity in treatment-seeking SUD patients who screen positively for ADHD, specifically for amphetamine, alcohol, opiates other than heroin or methadone, and benzodiazepines.