Symptom Dimensions of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Abstract

Research suggests that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and nicotine withdrawal symptoms are related; however, it is unknown how this relationship extends across ADHD symptom gradations, differs between inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptom types, and generalizes to a national sample. This study examined cross-sectional associations between childhood ADHD symptom indexes (total, inattention, and hyperactivity-impulsivity) and lifetime DSM-IV nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Results showed that each ADHD symptom index associated with almost every withdrawal symptom (Ps < .01). After controlling for hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention symptom overlap, inattention (but not hyperactivity-impulsivity) retained incremental associations with most withdrawal symptoms. These findings are relevant for understanding mechanisms of ADHD and smoking comorbidity.

KEYWORDS:

• Inattention
• hyperactivity-impulsivity
• smoking
• relapse prevention
• comorbidity

Acknowledgments

This work was supported, in part, by research grants R01DA026831 and K08DA025041.