Prevalence of comorbid substance use disorder duri

Authors: Terje Torgersen Bjørn Gjervan Kirsten Rasmussen Arne Vaaler Hans M Nordahl

Publish Date: 2012/10/27

Volume: 5, Issue: 1, Pages: 59-67

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Abstract

Central stimulant CS therapy is a cornerstone in treatment of adult attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD Substance use disorder SUD is a common comorbid disorder of ADHD and might complicate the treatment Our main objectives were to investigate the prevalence of SUD during CS treatment and identify variables associated with SUD during the treatment The collection of data was based on a naturalistic retrospective approach using the medical records of a cohort of all adult ADHD patients N = 117 starting treatment with CS in a specific catchment area in the period 1997 to May 2005 A logistic regression model was applied to identify possible predictors of SUD during CS treatment The study showed no onset of SUD during the CS treatment in the group of patients without comorbid SUD at baseline mean CS treatment length 411 months In the group of patients with comorbid SUD at baseline 585  had one or more relapses of SUD during treatment mean CS treatment length 279 months Younger age and comorbid antisocial personality disorder were associated with relapse In a logistic regression analysis cannabis abstinence for more than 12 months was a negative predictor for relapse of SUD CS treatment does not precipitate onset of SUD in adults without previous SUD

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