Substance use disorders in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: The role of affective temperament

Abstract

ObjectiveSubstance Use Disorders (SUD) are common in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Although predictors of SUD in this population are relevant for prevention and treatment, they need further clarification. Affective temperaments potentially associated with SUD in adult ADHD patients were explored. MethodsADHD patients with and without SUD were compared for sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics through: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale; Wender Utah Rating Scale; Temperament Evaluation Memphis for Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire. Logistic regression investigated factors associated with SUD. ResultsWe included one-hundred and thirty-six ADHD patients with (n = 51, 37.5 %) and without SUD (n = 85, 62.5 %). The presence of SUD was associated with irritable temperament (p = 0.009), as well as more frequent school failure (p = 0.038), legal problems (p = 0.039), and lifetime suicide attempts (p = 0.014). LimitationsThe cross-sectional design, the relatively small sample size, and the use of self-administered questionnaires. ConclusionsThis study confirms the greater overall severity of adult ADHD-SUD compared with ADHD-only patients and suggests the potential role of irritable temperament as a predictor of substance-related problems.