Relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Severe Substance use Disorder in Adult Inpatients: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults admitted for treatment of severe chemical dependence in the Therapeutic Community Rios de Água Viva in Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Method: A cross-sectional study with male subjects aged 18 years or older, compared to age-matched men without chemical dependence on a 1:1 ratio. Data collection was performed by applying a questionnaire with the Fifth Edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of American Psychiatric Association criteria for diagnosis of ADHD, also information on demographic profile, smoking and age of onset of psychoactive chemical substance use.

Results: Most patients have high school education (72.7%), are not married (93.2%) and are smokers (86.4%). From 44 patients with Substance Use Disorder who were screened for ADHD symptoms, 22.7% screened positive for the disorder, while only 2.3% of the control group received this diagnosis (p<0.001). The most used drug was alcohol (100%), followed by cocaine-crack (47%) and in third place cannabis (4.5%).

Conclusion: Higher frequencies of ADHD symptoms were found among severe chemical dependents interned in Therapeutic Community.