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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Rates of undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in London drug and alcohol detoxification units

Authors: Zoe Huntley, Stefanos Maltezos, Charlotte Williams, Alun Morinan, Amy Hammon, David Ball, E Jane Marshall, Francis Keaney, Susan Young, Patrik Bolton, Karen Glaser, Raoul Howe-Forbes, Jonna Kuntsi, Kiriakos Xenitidis, Declan Murphy, Philip J Asherson

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

ADHD is a common childhood onset mental health disorder that persists into adulthood in two-thirds of cases. One of the most prevalent and impairing comorbidities of ADHD in adults are substance use disorders. We estimate rates of ADHD in patients with substance abuse disorders and delineate impairment in the co-morbid group.

Method

Screening for ADHD followed by a research diagnostic interview in people attending in-patient drug and alcohol detoxification units.

Results

We estimated prevalence of undiagnosed ADHD within substance use disorder in-patients in South London around 12%. Those individuals with substance use disorders and ADHD had significantly higher self-rated impairments across several domains of daily life; and higher rates of substance abuse and alcohol consumption, suicide attempts, and depression recorded in their case records.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the high rates of untreated ADHD within substance use disorder populations and the association of ADHD in such patients with greater levels of impairment. These are likely to be a source of additional impairment to patients and represent an increased burden on clinical services.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Rates of undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in London drug and alcohol detoxification units
Authors
Zoe Huntley
Stefanos Maltezos
Charlotte Williams
Alun Morinan
Amy Hammon
David Ball
E Jane Marshall
Francis Keaney
Susan Young
Patrik Bolton
Karen Glaser
Raoul Howe-Forbes
Jonna Kuntsi
Kiriakos Xenitidis
Declan Murphy
Philip J Asherson
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-223

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