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

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.

Risk behaviours among substance use disorder treatment seekers with and without adult ADHD symptoms.

Background: Impulsivity and consequent risk-taking are features of both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorder (SUD). To date there are no data on the impact of comorbid ADHD on the likelihood and frequency of risk-taking behaviour among individuals with SUD. The current study aimed to examine drug-related, sexual and driving-related risk behaviours in people seeking treatment for SUD with co-occurring symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), taking into account potential confounders.