AOD use and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often continu e to exhibit significant impairment in academic, occupational, and social f unctioning throughout adulthood In addition, children with ADHD are at incr eased risk for developing alcoholism and other drug addictions, especially if;if alcoholism sr ADHD exists in other family members, Alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse may develop earlier in life (i.e., in midadolescence) when ADHD is accompanied by certain behavioral or mood disorders, The nature of the link between ADHD and AOD use disorder is unknown, although the associ ation may be mediated by the co-occurring disorders just mentioned In addit ion, ADHD-related AOD abuse may develop initially as an attempt to alleviat e symptoms of mental distress;associated with chronic failure, feelings of inadequacy, and conflict with parents and peers. Therapeutic intervention s hould incorporate both addiction mad mental health treatment including appr opriate use of psychiatric medications.