Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that often continues to manifest symptoms into adulthood. In children and adults, this condition may contribute to addictive vulnerability. Several factors are common to the developmental psychopathology of these conditions, suggesting an underlying deficit in behavioral regulation as an explanation for this comorbidity. Developmentally, faulty learning processes or attempts to self-medicate dysfunctional behavior may contribute to the pathogenesis of substance use disorders. Substance abuse itself also may contribute to the development of attentional deficits and behavioral dysregulation through direct (eg, prenatal or self-inflicted exposures to neurotoxic substances) and indirect (eg, poverty, neglect, abuse) mechanisms. Because ADHD can be identified prior to the peak onset of substance use, effective treatment of this common disorder may reduce the development of substance use disorders. Adult ADHD may also contribute to the development and maintenance of substance use disorders Substance abuse patients may particularly benefit from treatment of this comorbidity. © 2001, Current Science Inc.