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Article

Substance Use Disorder in Adult-Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients: Patterns of Use and Related Clinical Features

1
PISA-School of Experimental and Clinical Psychiatry, 56100 Pisa, Italy
2
School of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
3
Department of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Versilia Zone, 55049 Viareggio, Italy
4
Association for the Application of Neuroscientific Knowledge to Social Aims (AU-CNS), 55045 Pietrasanta, Lucca, Italy
5
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
6
G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56100 Pisa, Italy
7
Vincent P. Dole Dual Disorder Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(10), 3509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103509
Submission received: 2 April 2020 / Revised: 10 May 2020 / Accepted: 12 May 2020 / Published: 17 May 2020

Abstract

Background: While a large amount of medical literature has explored the association between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), less attention has been dedicated to the typologies of SUD and their relationships with ADHD-specific symptomatology and general psychopathology in dual disorder patients. Methods: We selected 72 patients (aged 18–65) with a concomitant SUD out of 120 adults with ADHD (A-ADHD). Assessment instruments included the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA 2.0), Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scales–Observer (CAARS-O:S): Short Version, the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I and II Disorders (SCID-I), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the Brief Psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), the Reactivity Intensity Polarity Stability Questionnaire (RIPoSt-40), the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). A factorial analysis was performed to group our patients by clusters in different typologies of substance use and correlations between SUDs, as made evident by their typological and diagnostic features; in addition, specific ADHD symptoms, severity of general psychopathology and patients’ functionality were assessed. Results: Two patterns of substance use were identified: the first (type 1) characterized by stimulants/alcohol and the second (type 2) by the use of cannabinoids (THC). Type 1 users were significantly younger and had more legal problems. The two patterns were similar in terms of ADHD-specific symptomatology and its severity at treatment entry. No differences were found regarding the other scales assessed, except for lower scores at MEQ in type 1 users. Conclusions: At treatment entry, the presence of different comorbid SUD clusters do not affect ADHD-specific symptomatology or severity.
Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; adult ADHD; substance use disorder attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; adult ADHD; substance use disorder

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MDPI and ACS Style

Spera, V.; Pallucchini, A.; Maiello, M.; Carli, M.; Maremmani, A.G.I.; Perugi, G.; Maremmani, I. Substance Use Disorder in Adult-Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients: Patterns of Use and Related Clinical Features. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 3509. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103509

AMA Style

Spera V, Pallucchini A, Maiello M, Carli M, Maremmani AGI, Perugi G, Maremmani I. Substance Use Disorder in Adult-Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients: Patterns of Use and Related Clinical Features. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(10):3509. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103509

Chicago/Turabian Style

Spera, Vincenza, Alessandro Pallucchini, Marco Maiello, Marco Carli, Angelo G. I. Maremmani, Giulio Perugi, and Icro Maremmani. 2020. "Substance Use Disorder in Adult-Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients: Patterns of Use and Related Clinical Features" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 10: 3509. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103509

APA Style

Spera, V., Pallucchini, A., Maiello, M., Carli, M., Maremmani, A. G. I., Perugi, G., & Maremmani, I. (2020). Substance Use Disorder in Adult-Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients: Patterns of Use and Related Clinical Features. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3509. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103509

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