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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | Research

Naturalistic exploratory study of the associations of substance use on ADHD outcomes and function

Authors: Benjamin MacDonald, Joseph Sadek

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with an increased risk of substance use disorder (SUD), existing literature on how SUD interacts with ADHD outcomes is limited. This study investigates whether SUD among individuals with ADHD is associated with worse ADHD outcomes and prognosis, and the association between overall functioning and SUD. In addition, we seek to understand whether heavy cannabis use is a better predictor of poorer outcomes compared to SUD status alone.

Method

We conducted a retrospective analysis on 50 ADHD patient charts, which were allocated based on SUD status. Subgroup analysis was performed on the total sample population, with allocation based on heavy cannabis use. Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests were used for both the primary and subgroup analyses.

Results

SUD status highly correlated with more ADHD-related cognitive impairments and poorer functional outcomes at the time of diagnosis. ADHD patients with comorbid ADHD-SUD scored significantly lower (p = < 0.0001) on objective cognitive testing (Integrated Auditory and Visual Continuous Performance Test (IVA/CPT)) than ADHD patients without SUD. The correlation with poorer ADHD outcomes was more pronounced when groups were allocated based on heavy cannabis use status; in addition to significantly lower IVA/CPT scores (p = 0.0011), heavy cannabis use was associated with more severe fine motor hyperactivity and self-reported hyperactivity/impulsivity scores (p = 0.0088 and 0.0172, respectively).

Conclusion

Future research is needed to determine how substance abuse can be a barrier to improved ADHD outcomes, and the effect cannabis and other substances have on cognitive function and pharmacotherapy of ADHD.

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Title: Naturalistic exploratory study of the associations of substance use on ADHD outcomes and function
Authors: Benjamin MacDonald
Joseph Sadek
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03263-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Naturalistic exploratory study of the associations of substance use on ADHD outcomes and function

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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