Alcohol, drugs, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: a model for the study of addictions in youth.
There has been increasing interest in the developmental origins of substance use disorders (SUDs) in children and adolescents. Because of its early onset, high prevalence and known risk for SUD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a model developmental disorder to evaluate in context to SUDs. A selected review of the literature was undertaken examining ADHD as an antecedent disorder to subsequent SUD. ADHD and its co-occurring comorbid psychopathology increase the risk for cigarette smoking and SUD and is associated with greater SUD severity and chronicity. The treatment of ADHD appears to decrease the risk for cigarette smoking and SUD. ADHD is an important antecedent disorder in children and adolescents worthy of further targeted preventive efforts to diminish the risk for cigarette smoking and SUD.
Wilens
Timothy E
TE
Clinical Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. twilens@partners.org
Biederman
Joseph
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol