Frequency of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in substance-dependent patients hospitalised in Mashhad Ebn-e-Sina hospital

Abstract

Dual diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorder (SUD) in adults has been an area of clinical and research interest. In the present study, we assessed the frequency of ADHD in drug-dependent patients. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. We assessed the frequency of ADHD in 144 drug-dependent patients who were admitted for detoxification at Ebn-e-Sina psychiatric hospital between August 2007 and June 2008. All patients met DSM-IV-R criteria for substance dependency; diagnosis was made by two psychiatrists. Patients completed demographic characteristics questionnaire and were rated on Wender Utah Rating Scale and adult ADHD measurement scale. Those with higher than cut-off point of both scales were interviewed directly by a psychiatrist based on DSM-IV-R criteria for the best estimate diagnoses of ADHD. Eighteen (12.5%) of the substance-dependent patients were found to have ADHD as a child that persists to adulthood. Starting age of substance use was 22.09 ± 7.25 years, substance use was earlier, and the duration of the use was longer, in those with ADHD. Most of the patients preferentially used opioid. In conclusion, the current study suggests high prevalence of ADHD in drug-dependent patients. Patients with ADHD experience drug abuse earlier, so diagnosis and treatment of ADHD should start earlier.

Keywords:

• dual diagnosis
• ADHD
• drug dependence
• frequency