Correlates of co-occurring ADHD in drug-dependent subjects: prevalence and features of substance dependence and psychiatric disorders.
We examined the prevalence and course of psychiatric and substance dependence (SD) disorders in subjects with SD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
We interviewed 1761 adults with a lifetime diagnosis of cocaine and/or opioid dependence using the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism. Generalized linear regression with generalized estimating equation analysis was used to examine the associations between a lifetime diagnosis of ADHD and indicators of clinical course, and to identify unique correlates of ADHD.


RESULTS
Lifetime ADHD prevalence in the SD sample was 5.22% (vs. 0.85% in a group of individuals without SD). ADHD was associated with an earlier age of first substance use, more SD and psychiatric diagnoses, a greater likelihood of attempted suicide, and more hospitalizations. After controlling for conduct disorder, there were unique effects of ADHD on age of first substance use and number of SD diagnoses.


CONCLUSIONS
In subjects with cocaine or opioid dependence, ADHD is associated with greater SD and psychiatric comorbidity and a more severe course of illness.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. arias@psychiatry.uchc.edu
Albert J
AJ
Arias
Joel
J
Gelernter
Grace
G
Chan
Roger D
RD
Weiss
Kathleen T
KT
Brady
Lindsay
L
Farrer
Henry R
HR
Kranzler
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009679:Nuclear Family; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis