Screened Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as a Predictor of Substance Use Initiation and Escalation in Early Adulthood and the Role of Self-Reported Conduct Disorder and Sensation Seeking: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study with Young Adult Swiss Men
European Addiction Research January 1, 2020 Franz Moggi, Deborah Schorno, Leila M. Soravia et al. 22 citations
Young men with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms at age 20 are more likely to start using certain substances and develop alcohol use disorder by age 25, even after accounting for conduct disorder and sensation seeking. ADHD predicted the initiation of hallucinogens, meth-/amphetamines, ecstasy/MDMA, non-medical use of ADHD medication and sedatives, and alcohol use disorder, but not alcohol or smoking initiation. No escalation of weekly drinking, smoking, or annual cannabis use occurred between ages 20 and 25. Identifying ADHD in early adulthood may help target interventions to reduce later drug use and alcohol problems.