Objective: To assess the pattern of substance use disorder (SUD) in adolescents with and without history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Method: In this case-control study, patients were consecutively recruited from referrals to Roozbeh Hospital or the Juvenile offender Center who met the criteria of SUD (based on DSM-IV-TR). They were divided to two groups: with history of ADHD (n=33) and without history of ADHD (n=33). The participants were interviewed by a child psychiatrist and the measures included: Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children (K-SADS), Opium Treatment Index (OTI) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).
Results: Adolescents with ADHD had an earlier age of starting cigarette smoking; a shorter period between their first-time substance use and substance dependence and abuse; heavier smoking; higher prevalence of drug use; higher use of cannabis, alcohol, herioin and other substances; and more functional impairment. Prevalences of oppositional defiant, conduct, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders were higher in the ADHD group but not significantly. The average number of comorbid disorders was higher in the ADHD group. Also, this average was higher in ADHD plus conduct disorder than the ADHD alone.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD could be associated with a better prognosis of SUD in adolescents, and economically will diminish the costs of SUD.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Special Received: 2003/08/23 | Accepted: 2003/10/23 | Published: 2003/12/22