title: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and drug addiction rehabilitation patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ADHD and drug dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence and severity of ADHD and substance use were evaluated through questionnaires in 80 adult patients in therapeutic communities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference in drug use or dependence prevalence between ADHD and non-ADHD patients was found. However, ADHD patients had lower ages on admission (p = 0.004) and at first contact with cocaine (p = 0.033). In ADHD patients, there was a negative correlation between the age at first use of cannabis and the subsequent severity of cannabis use (p = 0.017) and cocaine use (p = 0.033).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though there was no difference in prevalence of drug use among groups, results show that ADHD in patients in therapeutic communities may cause different addiction patterns, such as earlier use of cocaine and admission, and a more severe use of cocaine correlated to earlier contact with cannabis.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Hospital Universitário, Departamento de Medicina, Serviço de Neurologia, Ponta Grossa PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Carlos Henrique Ferreira
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Hospital Universitário, Departamento de Medicina, Serviço de Neurologia, Ponta Grossa PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Tarcísio Fanha
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Dornelles
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Hospital Universitário, Departamento de Medicina, Serviço de Neurologia, Ponta Grossa PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barszcz
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Hospital Universitário, Departamento de Medicina, Serviço de Neurologia, Ponta Grossa PR, Brasil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Antunes
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult