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Associations between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Domains and DSM‐IV Lifetime Substance Dependence
Author(s) -
Ameringer Katherine J.,
Leventhal Adam M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.00325.x
Subject(s) - polysubstance dependence , substance dependence , psychology , cannabis , alcohol dependence , psychiatry , cocaine dependence , population , cannabis dependence , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , substance abuse , clinical psychology , addiction , medicine , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , environmental health , cannabidiol
Background and Objectives Most studies of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the substance dependence literature have assessed ADHD as a single, categorical entity. This approach limits characterization across the spectrum of ADHD symptomatology and may mask differences across the two core domains of ADHD symptoms—hyperactive‐impulsive (HI) and inattention (IN). Further, it is unclear whether relations of HI and IN symptoms to substance dependence extend across drug classes and to the general population. Methods This cross‐sectional study investigated associations of lifetime ADHD HI and IN symptom levels to individual classes of lifetime substance dependence (alcohol, nicotine, depressants, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, hallucinogens, polysubstance) in a population‐based sample of 34,653 American adults. Results HI and IN were associated with the majority of dependence diagnoses in a linear pattern, such that each additional symptom was associated with a proportional increase in odds of dependence. After adjusting for the overlap between symptom domains, both HI and IN uniquely associated with alcohol, nicotine, and polysubstance dependence, but only HI uniquely associated with dependence on illicit substances. Conclusions and Scientific Significance These findings suggest that individuals in the general population with elevated levels of ADHD (particularly HI) symptoms are at risk for various forms of substance dependence and could benefit from preventive interventions. (Am J Addict 2012;XX:000–000) (Am J Addict 2013;22:23‐32)