Cocaine abuse and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Implications of adult symptomatology

Forty-three men between the ages of 18 and 48, in treatment for cocaine abuse or dependence, were evaluated for history of childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adult symptoms (residual state). Participants completed a quantitative cocaine history and an interview designed explore subjective cocaine experience. High ADHD scores were significantly correlated with high gram use of cocaine, r(41) = .37, p < .05, and with negative affective responses associated with cocaine use, r(41) = -.62, p < .001. Participants with high ADHD scores also reported more use of cocaine for self-medication, r(41) = .42, p < .01, and higher degrees of craving and sleeplessness during the month before entering treatment, r(41) = .31, p < .05 and r(41) = .32, p < .05, respectively. The results demonstrate that ADHD, residual state, may need to be considered as an added focus of treatment for cocaine dependence among patients with adult symptomatology.