Abstract
BackgroundADHD is a common childhood onset mental health disorder that persists into adulthood in two-thirds of cases. One of the most prevalent and impairing comorbidities of ADHD in adults are substance use disorders. We estimate rates of ADHD in patients with substance abuse disorders and delineate impairment in the co-morbid group.MethodScreening for ADHD followed by a research diagnostic interview in people attending in-patient drug and alcohol detoxification units.ResultsWe estimated prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD within substance use disorder in-patients in South London around 12%. Those individuals with substance use disorders and ADHD had significantly higher self-rated impairments across several domains of daily life; and higher rates of substance abuse and alcohol consumption, suicide attempts, and depression recorded in their case records.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the high rates of untreated ADHD within substance use disorder populations and the association of ADHD in such patients with greater levels of impairment. These are likely to be a source of additional impairment to patients and represent an increased burden on clinical services.
Highlights
ADHD is a common childhood onset mental health disorder that persists into adulthood in two-thirds of cases
We estimated prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD within substance use disorder in-patients in South London around 12%. Those individuals with substance use disorders and ADHD had significantly higher self-rated impairments across several domains of daily life; and higher rates of substance abuse and alcohol consumption, suicide attempts, and depression recorded in their case records
This study demonstrates the high rates of untreated ADHD within substance use disorder populations and the association of ADHD in such patients with greater levels of impairment
Summary
ADHD is a common childhood onset mental health disorder that persists into adulthood in two-thirds of cases. One of the most prevalent and impairing comorbidities of ADHD in adults are substance use disorders. Longitudinal follow up studies find that around two-thirds of cases continue to be impaired by ADHD symptoms in adulthood, with an estimated worldwide prevalence for the disorder in adults of around 2.5% [2]. Despite the high rate of ADHD in adults, the disorder remains under-diagnosed and under-treated beyond the adolescent years [3]. This is a particular issue for adult mental health because ADHD symptoms lead to impairments in cocaine and amphetamines [12]. It has been reported that autism is frequently unrecognized in people with ADHD and this may generate additional impairments in SUD populations
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