Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder risk for heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder is age specific.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to assess age specificity in the risk for heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD) among adolescents and young adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosed in childhood.


METHODS
Children diagnosed with ADHD (n=364 probands) were interviewed an average of 8 years later in the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study, either as adolescents (11-17 years old) or as young adults (18-28 years of age). Demographically similar age-matched participants without ADHD were recruited as adolescents (n=120) or as adults (n=120) for comparison with the probands. Alcohol involvement was assessed comprehensively to include measures of heavy drinking that are standard in alcoholism research and prognostic of later alcohol-related problems.


RESULTS
Results revealed age specificity in the association such that episodic heavy drinking (measured as 5+ drinks per occasion), drunkenness, DSM-IV AUD symptoms, and DSM-IV AUD were elevated among 15- to 17-year-old probands, but not among younger adolescents. Among young adults, drinking quantity and AUD were elevated among probands with antisocial personality disorder. Childhood predictors indexing antisocial behavior were also examined.


CONCLUSIONS
The age- specificity of these findings helps to explain prior inconsistencies across previous studies regarding risk for alcohol-related outcomes among children with ADHD.
Molina
Brooke S G
BS
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. molinab@upmc.edu
Pelham
William E
WE
Gnagy
Elizabeth M
EM
Thompson
Amanda L
AL
Marshal
Michael P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology