Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use: Symptom pattern and drug choice

While there has been much recent interest in the relationship between atten tion-deficit/hyper-activity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SU Ds), little has been reported about ADHD diagnostic subtypes, persistence o f symptoms from childhood into adulthood, and substance of choice in indivi duals with substance use disorders (SUD+) and comorbid ADHD. To examine the prevalence and subtypes of ADHD in a group of SUD+ individuals, 136 inpati ents with an SUD diagnosis (cocaine vs. alcohol vs. cocaine/alcohol) were a dministered a structured interview for ADHD. Of the SUD+ individuals, 32% m et criteria for ADHD, and 35% of those with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD c ontinued to have clinically significant symptoms into adulthood. There were no significant differences in the percentage of ADHD between the SUD+ grou ps divided by drug choice. Of ADHD subtypes, subjects with combined and ina ttentive types were significantly more likely to have symptoms continue int o adulthood (p less than or equal to .05) than the hyperactive/impulsive su btype. Patients with cocaine use were more likely to have ADHD in childhood only when compared to the alcohol or cocaine-alcohol groups. The findings of this study indicate that ADHD is prevalent in treatment-seeking substanc e users without difference in prevalence or subtype by drug choice.