Relation between attention-deficit/ hiperactivity disorder and substance use disorder (a review)

Introduction: There is a high comorbidity between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and substance use disorder, with a higher severity of addictions, an earlier age on
the onset of the consumption, as well as an increased chronic drug dependence. In patients
with dual pathology treatment appears to be a complex task, causing the pharmacological
efficacy to be object of study of multiple academic studies in the recent decades. Objectives:
The main objective is to carry out a literature review on this comorbidity, in order to know
if ADHD is considered a risk factor in the development of a Substance use disorders (SUD)
in adolescence and adulthood. It is also intended to analyze whether the pharmacological
treatment of ADHD prevents from the development of SUD and whether its prescription
is safe in patients with such comorbidity. Methodology: A bibliographic research was carried
out mainly in the PubMed database, in which the keywords were introduced, and the inclusion
and exclusion criteria applied. Results: Patients with ADHD are at greater risk of developing
dependence on alcohol (OR 2.31), nicotine (OR 2.28) and cannabis (OR 1.73); and developing
a substance abuse disorder (SUD) (OR 2.49) in adulthood. Conclusions: Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder is a risk factor for developing a substance abuse disorder, being the
treatment safe in patients with dual pathology as well as improving the drug dependence.