IDENTIFYING PROBATIONERS WITH ADHD-RELATED BEHAVIORS IN A DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT SETTING

Increasing recognition is being given to the manifestations of attenti on deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood. Prospective stu dies have indicated that many children diagnosed with ADHD continue to have symptoms of the disorder. These often are associated with antiso cial behaviors, suggesting that ADHD may be an undetected and untreate d root cause of these behaviors. In the present study, indicators of A DHD were examined in a population of probationers in a court-referred drug abuse treatment setting. The results showed that 31% had symptoms indicative of ADHD and that these symptoms were associated with self- reported measures of arrest history, aggressive behavior, drug use, fa mily atmosphere, and family mental health.