Current attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and nonmedical prescription opioid use attributed to tramadol among male adolescents without conduct disorder in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Background: Evidence for the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) is common. However, little research has investigated this relationship among adolescents using nonmedical prescription opioids, particularly tramadol.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of ADHD among adolescents with tramadol misuse and without conduct disorder (CD).

Methods: This study included 122 Egyptian adolescents (100% male) with opioid use disorders attributed to tramadol. The diagnosis of SUDs, ADHD, and CD (to exclude) was based on the SCID-I criteria of the DSM-IV-TR. Drug-related problems were assessed using the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT). All adolescents were screened for drugs by urinalysis.

Results: Thirty-eight percent of adolescents with tramadol misuse had ADHD. Adolescents with tramadol misuse and ADHD were more likely to have a younger age of onset of smoking, substance use, and tramadol misuse than adolescents without ADHD.

Conclusions: ADHD is common among adolescents with tramadol misuse. There is an association between ADHD and young age of onset of tramadol misuse and drug-related problems.

KEYWORDS:

• ADHD
• adolescents
• conduct disorder
• Egypt
• Tramadol use
• opioid use