The association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and early-onset alcohol dependence: A retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Early onset (EO) alcohol dependence (AD) has been found to represent a subtype of alcoholism with a distinct profile and prognosis compared to late onset (LO) alcohol dependence. Externalizing disorders, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that may continue as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, residual type (ADD, RT) in adulthood, may increase susceptibility to early-onset AD.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between ADHD and ADD, RT symptoms and age at onset of AD in a sample of Indian male patients. 70 male subjects with AD presenting to the De-Addiction Services of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, were studied. The study had a retrospective design.


METHODS
Patients were examined for evidence of past ADHD in childhood and current ADD, RT using structured instruments. Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to express the relative risk of association of ADHD with early- and late-onset AD.


RESULTS
Significantly more EO alcoholics (19/30, 63.3%) had a history of ADHD in childhood compared to LO alcoholics (7/28, 25%, P < 0.05) ADD, RT was also over-represented in EO probands.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study are consistent with previous research that shows a high incidence of ADHD in early-onset alcoholics. This may have important management implications.
Sringeri
Sujaya Kumara R
SK
Mental Health Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia, India.
Rajkumar
Ravi Philip
RP
Muralidharan
Kesavan
K
Chandrashekar
Channapatna R
CR
Benegal
Vivek
V