P-66 * CHARACTERISTICS OF IN-PATIENTS WITH ADHD AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Aim. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a major risk factor for the development of substance use disorders (SUD). Patients with both ADHD and SUD become addicted at a younger age, use more substances and are hospitalized more often than SUD patients without ADHD. However, in clinical practice ADHD patients with SUD are not diagnosed sufficiently, especially in adulthood. This study aims to evaluate characteristics of ADHD patients with SUD. Method. This is a retrospective, non-randomized study. All the files of the patients who had applied for treatment for substance use disorders were screened. The patients who had been suffering just for alcoholism were excluded. The patients who had illegal substance use were included and divided into two groups. The first group was consisted with the patients who had both ADHD and SUD together. The second group was consisted with the patients who had only SUD. All the files of the patients were screened for onset of SUD, substance preferences, comorbid psychiatric disorders and history of family SUD . Results. Of the 72 patients were affected by SUD (57 males and 15 females), 55 of them were met the ADHD criteria according to DSM-IV. No statistical significant differences were observed between ADHD and non-ADHD subjects as far as mean age, gender, education level were concerned. The two groups did not show any significant differences in primary substance choice. Cannabis was the most commonly used substance for abuse and dependence. We divided drugs into different categories such as cannabis, heroin, hallucinogen, amphetamine, volatile, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and no statistical significant differences were found between ADHD and non-ADHD groups (all values, p > 0.05). Using ecstasy showed statistically significant difference between ADHD and non-ADHD groups [χ2 (1) = 4.124, p 0.05). Abuse of synthetic cannabinoids were found significantly different between ADHD group and non-ADHD group [χ2 (1) = 5.493, p < 0.05]. ADHD group uses synthetic cannabinoids significantly higher than the non-ADHD group. The age of onset of substance use in ADHD and non-ADHD groups differed significantly [χ2 (1)= 32,998 p < 0.001]. Subjects with ADHD had an earlier onset of SUD compared to the subjects of non- ADHD. Most of the ADHD group starts using illicit drugs before 15 years of age. Discussion. Findings of this study consistent with previous studies reported that ADHD can be considered as an important risk factor for the development of addiction.The results of the present study show that ADHD is not rare among the patients with SUD who are seeking treatment. Moreover, even if the patient suffers just only for SUD he/she should be evaluated for ADHD for an effective treatment.