Relationship of ADHD, depression, and non-tobacco substance use disorders to nicotine dependence in substance-dependent delinquents

This study used standardized interviews to examine the relationship of atte ntion deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depression (MDD), and ot her illicit substance use disorders (SUD) to onset and severity of nicotine dependence in 82 female and 285 male adolescents with conduct disorder (CD ) and SUD. Results indicate that both ADHD and MDD significantly contribute to severity of nicotine dependence in delinquents with SUD. ADHD is furthe r associated with earlier onset of regular smoking in males. Severity of no n-tobacco SUD also was related directly to nicotine dependence severity in both males and females, and to earlier onset of smoking in males. Our findi ngs illuminate the contribution of comorbidity to nicotine dependence and i ts relationship to other SUD severity among adolescents with CD and SUD and highlight the need for coordinated assessment and treatment of smoking ces sation along with concurrent treatment of other drug use and psychiatric co morbidity such as ADHD and MDD in such youths. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.