Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among illicit psychostimulant users: a hidden disorder?. (11th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaye, Sharlene; Darke, Shane; Torok, Michelle
• Is Part Of: Addiction. Volume 108:Number 5(2013:May)
• Page Start: 923
• Page End: 931
• Publication Date: 2013-02-11
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/add.12086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2140

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="add12086-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>To estimate the prevalence, nature and correlates of symptomatology consistent with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among illicit psychostimulant users.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12086-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Cross‐section survey.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12086-sec-0023" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Sydney, Australia.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12086-sec-0024" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>269 regular illicit psychostimulant users.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12086-sec-0025" sec-type="section"> <title>Measurements</title> <p>Structured interview assessing demographics, drug use and treatment history, psychostimulant dependence and self‐reported symptoms consistent with adult ADHD.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12086-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Findings</title> <p>Almost half (45%) screened positive for adult ADHD (ADHD<sup>+</sup>). Symptoms of inattention (90%) were more prevalent than symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (57%). Of those who screened positive for adult ADHD, only 17% had received a prior diagnosis of ADHD. The ADHD<sup>+</sup> group differed from other participants in several respects: an earlier initiation of substance use and injecting drug use; more extensive polydrug use; a higher frequency of recent stimulant use and injecting drug use; a greater likelihood of stimulant dependence; and a greater likelihood of having received treatment for drug dependence. After controlling for other factors, screening positive for ADHD was associated independently with fewer years of education, earlier initiation of regular tobacco use and more extensive life‐time polydrug use.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12086-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Clinicians should be aware of the potential for patients of drug and alcohol treatment services to have undiagnosed and/or untreated ADHD that may impact on their compliance with, and retention in, treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>