Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting 12%-13% of adolescents in the United States, according to some studies. The pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity can interfere with daily life, raising problems at home, work or school. At the same time, individuals diagnosed with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorder.
But treating the combination of these two conditions can be complicated. A team, led by researchers from Penn State College of Medicine, identified a treatment gap among adolescents and young adults diagnosed with both ADHD and substance use disorder.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the researchers found that despite having an ADHD diagnosis, young people who also have a substance use disorder were significantly less likely to be prescribed central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, which is the first-line medication-based treatment for ADHD symptoms. Yet, among individuals receiving this type of ADHD medication, better health outcomes were observed and serious complications were reduced, including fewer emergency visits, hospitalizations and thoughts of suicide. Over five years, ADHD treatment was linked to approximately a 30% reduction in risk of death.
"For young adults with ADHD and substance use disorder, appropriate treatment for ADHD could potentially save lives," said Raman Baweja, professor of psychiatry and behavioral health and of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine and the first author on the study. "Clinicians shouldn't hesitate to provide evidence-based ADHD treatment when it is indicated."
