Alcohol and Substance Use History Among ADHD Adults

Abstract

Objective: To profile substance use, personality, service use, and employment in adults with ADHD. Method: The sample consisted of 216 consecutive referrals to an adult ADHD service and classified with ADHD, partially or fully remitted ADHD, or no ADHD. Normal controls ( n = 33) were recruited from a general practitioner’s center. Participants completed measures of alcohol and illicit substance use, employment, service use, ADHD symptoms, and personality. Results: High rates of substance use were found in participants with current ADHD diagnoses. ADHD participants showed increased rates of personality trait or disorder scores and unemployment. There was some indication that those with ADHD and substance-related impairment place higher demand on services. Individuals with partially remitted ADHD showed similar substance use to those with current ADHD, whereas those in full remission were comparable with normal controls. Conclusion: Although ADHD symptoms may remit with time, individuals retaining persisting or partial symptoms have substantial needs in adulthood.