Impact of adhd and its treatment on substance abuse in adults
Impact of ADHD and Its Treatment on Substance Abuse in Adults Timothy E. Wilens, M.D.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a risk factor for substance abuse in adults. Ad-
ditional psychiatric comorbidity increases this risk. ADHD is associated with different characteristicsof substance abuse: substance abuse transitions more rapidly to dependence, and lasts longer in adultswith ADHD than those without ADHD. Self-medication may be a factor in the high rate of substanceabuse in adults with ADHD. While previous concerns arose whether stimulant therapy would increasethe ultimate risk for substance abuse, recent studies have indicated that pharmacologic treatment ap-pears to reduce the risk of substance abuse in individuals with ADHD. When treating adults withADHD and substance abuse, clinicians should assess the relative severity of the substance abuse, thesymptoms of ADHD, and any other comorbid disorders. Generally, stabilizing or addressing the sub-stance abuse should be the first priority when treating an adult with substance abuse and ADHD. Treatment for adults with ADHD and substance abuse should include a combination of addictiontreatment/psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. The clinician should begin pharmacotherapywith medications that have little likelihood of diversion or low liability, such as bupropion andatomoxetine, and, if necessary, progress to the stimulants. Careful monitoring of patients during treat-ment is necessary to ensure compliance with the treatment plan. (J Clin Psychiatry 2004;65[suppl 3]:38–45)
tentially dampening the morbidity, disability, and poorlong-term prognosis in adolescents and adults with this co-
The prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disor-
morbidity.4,5 In the following sections, we will review data
der (ADHD) in school-aged children is approximately 6%
relevant to understanding the overlap between ADHD and
to 9%.1 Data on prevalence in adults are limited, but
SUD with an emphasis on ADHD as a risk factor for sub-
ADHD may affect up to 5% of adults.2 Substance use
disorders (SUD; denoting drug or alcohol abuse or de-
Although not the topic of this report, higher rates of
pendence) affect up to 27% of the adult population.3 There
ADHD have been reported in adolescents and adults with
is a bidirectional overlap between ADHD and substance
SUD relative to controls.6,7 It is estimated that between
abuse. The study of comorbidity between SUD and ADHD
15% to 25% of adults with a lifetime history of a SUD
is relevant to both research and clinical practice in devel-
may have ADHD.7 In adolescents, there have been 3 stud-
opmental pediatrics, psychology, and psychiatry, with im-
ies assessing ADHD and other disorders in substance
plications for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and health
abusing groups,8,9 including juvenile offenders,10 demon-
care delivery. The identification of specific risk factors of
strating an overrepresentation of ADHD (along with both
SUD within ADHD may permit more targeted treatments
mood and conduct disorders) in adolescents with conduct
for both disorders at earlier stages of their expression, po-
disorder. Studies in adults with SUD are similar to those inadolescents. When both alcohol and drug addiction are in-cluded, from 15% to 25% of adult addicts and alcoholicscurrently have ADHD.11–13
For example, Schubiner et al.11 found that 24% of 201
From the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard MedicalSchool, and the Substance Abuse Program in Pediatric
inpatients in a substance abuse treatment facility had
Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
ADHD, and that two thirds also had conduct disorder. The
This article is derived from the roundtable meeting
importance of careful diagnosis, however, has been dem-
“Diagnosing and Treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
onstrated by Levin et al.,12 who found that while 10% of
Disorder in Adults,” which was held January 17, 2003, in
cocaine-dependent adults met strict criteria for ADHD
Boston, Mass., and supported by an unrestricted educationalgrant from Eli Lilly and Company.
(clear childhood and adult ADHD), another 11% were
Corresponding author and reprints: Timothy E. Wilens,
found to have ADHD symptoms only as adults. M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman St.,WAC 725, Boston, MA 02114-3117
Conversely, ADHD is a risk factor for later SUD.
Biederman et al.2 compared 120 adults with ADHD to 268
COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC. COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC.
ADHD Treatment and Substance Abuse in Adults
Figure 1. Age at Onset of Substance Abuse in Individuals With Figure 2. Risk of Abuse Following Dependence in Substance Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disordera Abusers With and Without ADHDa,b
Reprinted with permission from Wilens et al.16
Reprinted with permission from Biederman et al.19
p ≤ .05 vs. adults without ADHD by Cox proportional hazards model.
Hazard ratio = 4.9 (95% confidence interval = 1.7 to 14.3; p = .003)
for ADHD adults vs. adults without ADHD estimated using Coxregression correcting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and otherpsychiatric comorbidity.
adults without ADHD (mean age of 40 years) and founda lifetime rate of a SUD of 52% in adults with ADHDand 27% in adults without ADHD. Similar findings were
My colleagues and I18 also found that the duration of
reported earlier by Shekim and colleagues.14
the substance abuse was longer in adults with ADHDthan in those without. In stratifying our data to examine
substance-abusing adults with and without ADHD, we
found that although the rate of remission from substanceabuse was 80% in both groups, the mean duration of sub-
There appear to be important differences in the charac-
stance abuse in adults with ADHD was 133.1 months,
teristics of SUD in adults with ADHD relative to adults
compared with 95.9 months in adults without ADHD.
without ADHD. Adults with ADHD begin to abuse sub-
Biederman et al.19 investigated the effect of ADHD on
stances at an earlier age and abuse substances more often
transitions from substance use to abuse to dependence and
than their peers without ADHD. Their substance abuse
from one class of abusive agents to another. The research-
continues longer, and they move from alcohol abuse to
ers found that adults with ADHD (N = 239) were signifi-
substance abuse more rapidly than those without ADHD.
cantly more likely to progress from an alcohol use dis-
While adolescents with and without ADHD have the
order to a drug use disorder than adults without ADHD
same rate of substance abuse, such is not the case for
(N = 268). Also, adults with ADHD were significantly
adults with ADHD. In a prospective study, Biederman et
more likely to go back to the less severe substance abuse
al.15 found the rate of substance abuse in adolescents both
from dependence than adults without ADHD, who gener-
with ADHD (N = 140) and without ADHD (N = 120) to be
ally fully remit from substance dependence (Figure 2).
15%. However, between adolescence and adulthood therate of substance abuse increases substantially for indi-
Connections Between Substance Use and ADHD
viduals with ADHD. My colleagues and I16 studied the on-
The high rate of substance abuse in adults with ADHD
set of SUD in adults with ADHD. We examined retrospec-
is well-known, but researchers are still trying to learn the
tively derived data from 120 consecutively referred adults
cause. The core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity,
with SUD and ADHD and 268 adults with substance use
and inattention, as well as the role of functioning, comor-
disorder but no ADHD. The mean age at onset of sub-
bidity, and overall competency, are currently being studied
stance abuse was 19 years in adults with ADHD, com-
as potential causal candidates in the link between ADHD
pared with 22 years in adults without ADHD (Figure 1).
We found that substance abuse increased in adulthood for
Researchers have undertaken studies on the role of self-
approximately 48% of individuals with ADHD, compared
medication in symptom control in adults with ADHD.
with approximately 30% of individuals without ADHD.
Individuals with ADHD may use specific drugs, such as
Studies16,17 have found that adults with ADHD and co-
cocaine, that act in a manner similar to prescribed ADHD
occurring conduct or bipolar disorder are at a higher risk
medications to lessen symptoms. However, Biederman
for substance abuse and have an earlier onset of substance
et al.2 reported that individuals with ADHD did not
abuse when compared with adults with ADHD alone.
choose their drugs as selectively as originally hypoth-
COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUA TE PRESS, INC. COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC.
esized. Substance-abusing adults with ADHD (N = 44)
Figure 3. Rate of Drug Uptake Into the Brain
and adults without ADHD (N = 29) used the same drugs insimilar ratios, with marijuana being the most frequently
abused agent, followed distantly by cocaine, stimulants,
and hallucinogens. Although individuals with ADHD maynot choose their drugs selectively, self-medication could
still be operant. For example, Horner and Scheibe20 asked
15 substance-abusing adolescents with ADHD and 15substance-abusing adolescents without ADHD questions
about substance abuse. When asked why they began toabuse substances, both the adolescents with ADHD and
those without ADHD answered “to get high.” When they
were asked why they continued to abuse substances, mostof the adolescents with ADHD cited the mood-altering
properties of the substances, while those without ADHD
cited the euphoric properties of the substances.
Inattention has also been found to play a role in sub-
stance abuse. Tercyak et al.21 recently demonstrated an
important link between the presence of attentional dys-function and the initiation and maintenance of cigarette
smoking. Tapert et al.22 followed 66 youths without
ADHD at a high risk for substance abuse for 8 years tolearn if attentional symptoms at baseline predicted later
substance abuse. Poor attention and executive functioningat baseline predicted substance abuse at follow-up, even
when results were controlled for socioeconomic status,
conduct disorder, family history of substance abuse, andlearning disabilities. The youths who had low scores on
neuropsychological tests of attention at baseline had
greater substance use frequency than those with higherbaseline scores on attention tests.
Stimulant medications have been cited as a possible
cause of the high rate of substance abuse in adults with
ADHD. Research on the subject has so far been inconclu-
sive, with discordant findings23–25 in the literature.
Methylphenidate is one of the most commonly pre-
scribed stimulant medications for ADHD, but has been
scrutinized for its pharmacologic properties, which re-
semble those of cocaine. Kollins et al.,26 in their review of
the literature, found that 48 (80%) of the 60 studies re-
viewed concluded that methylphenidate acts in a manner
similar to cocaine or produces effects indicative of abusepotential. Grabowski et al.27 conducted a study on methyl-
aReprinted with permission from Volkow et al.28
phenidate as a replacement medication for cocaine. Twenty-five individuals were given 45 mg/day of methyl-phenidate and 24 individuals were given a placebo. The
and oral methylphenidate had similar pharmacokinetic
two groups had no significant differences in trial retention
properties. They found that both IV cocaine and IV
or cocaine use, and neither group reported an increase in
methylphenidate had a rapid brain (striatal) uptake but oral
methylphenidate had a slow brain uptake (Figure 3). The
Methylphenidate and cocaine may have similar psy-
participants who were given the IV cocaine and the IV
choactive properties, but the route of administration
methylphenidate reported feeling a euphoria, but those
controls their behavioral effects. Volkow et al.28 studied
who were given oral methylphenidate did not. This lack of
whether intravenous (IV) cocaine, IV methylphenidate,
a high limits the abuse potential of oral methylphenidate. COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC. COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC.
ADHD Treatment and Substance Abuse in Adults
My colleagues and I25 concluded recently that the litera-
Treatment of patients with ADHD and SUD necessitates
ture does not support the claim that stimulant treatments
multimodal involvement including empirically based SUD
add to the risk of substance abuse in individuals with
treatments/psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Psycho-
ADHD. Our group reviewed 6 studies that evaluated a to-
therapy is helpful in reducing substance abuse and can aid
tal of 674 medicated subjects and 360 unmedicated sub-
in treatment of the ADHD. Group and individual therapy
jects. We found that the pooled odds ratio for the studies
both have been reported to be useful in treating substance
revealed a 1.9-fold reduction in risk of substance abuse for
abuse.31 Reliance on 12-step programs alone may not be
youths who were treated with stimulants compared with
adequate, as it has been the author’s experience that adults
youths who were not treated for ADHD. Only 1 study
with ADHD often have difficulty following these pro-
showed an increase in substance abuse in individuals
grams. Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of
treated with stimulants, 1 study showed no difference, and
individual cognitive therapies, such as the empirically
4 out of the 6 studies showed a decrease in substance
based strategies of A. T. Beck, in the treatment of ADHD.32
abuse. This review suggests that not only is there a lack of
Cognitive-behavioral therapy may also be a particularly ef-
aggregate data supporting the idea that stimulants increase
fective therapy in adults with ADHD plus SUD, as special
the risk of substance abuse, but stimulant pharmaco-
cognitive therapy interventions, integrating relapse preven-
therapy appears to decrease SUD by as much as one half
tion, exist for adults with SUD. The latency to initiate phar-
(compared with the general population risk for SUD).
macotherapy for ADHD in adults with ADHD plus SUDremains under study. SUD should be addressed prior to
initiating pharmacotherapy. Once there is evidence of sta-
bilization or solid motivation for SUD treatment, ADHDpharmacotherapy can be initiated. Medication serves an im-
All adults with ADHD should be systematically queried
portant role in reducing the symptoms of ADHD and other
for SUD. Evaluation and treatment of comorbid ADHD
concurrent psychiatric disorders. Effective agents for adults
and SUD should be part of a plan in which consideration is
with ADHD include the psychostimulants, noradrenergic
given to all aspects of the adult’s life. Any intervention in
agents, and catecholaminergic antidepressants.33 Findings
this group should follow a careful evaluation of the pa-
from open and controlled trials suggest that medications
tient, including psychiatric, addiction, social, cognitive,
used in adults with ADHD plus SUD effectively treat the
educational, and family evaluations. A thorough history of
ADHD but have little effect on substance use or cravings,
substance use should be obtained including past and cur-
and the trials are plagued by high attrition. A total of 5 stud-
rent usage and treatments. Careful attention should be paid
ies have been presented or reported in the adult literature:
to the differential diagnoses, including medical and neuro-
4 open34–37 and 1 controlled38 (Table 1).
logic conditions whose symptoms may overlap with
The first line of pharmacologic treatment for adults with
ADHD (e.g., hyperthyroidism) or be a result of SUD (e.g.,
ADHD and SUD, based on the risk for medication diversion
protracted withdrawal, intoxication, and hyperactivity).
and misuse, should be the nonstimulants, such as
Current psychosocial factors contributing to the clinical
bupropion, tricyclic antidepressants, and atomoxetine.
presentation need to be explored thoroughly. Although no
Second-line agents for ADHD in adults with comorbid SUD
specific guidelines exist for evaluating the patient with ac-
include the stimulants: pemoline, methylphenidate, and
tive SUD, in our experience at least one month of absti-
amphetamines (Table 2). Because of its high likelihood for
nence is useful in accurately and reliably assessing for
abuse, methamphetamine should be avoided.
ADHD symptoms. Semistructured psychiatric interviewsor validated rating scales of ADHD29,30 are invaluable aids
for the systematic diagnostic assessments of this group.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine and
Adults with ADHD and SUD have special treatment
imipramine, have been tested for effectiveness in adults
considerations. If possible, the first priority in treatment
with ADHD. A randomized, placebo-controlled study39 of
should be to address the SUD, i.e., to stabilize the SUD
desipramine in adults with ADHD found significant reduc-
either to abstinence or to a stable low-use pattern.13 By
tion in symptoms of ADHD from baseline to endpoint.
treating the SUD first, treatment retention is improved and
Forty-one adults were given 200 mg/day of desipramine
the effectiveness of treatments for ADHD is increased.
for 6 weeks. Sixty-eight percent of participants treated with
After the addiction has been addressed, the clinician
desipramine responded positively to treatment, while none
should reevaluate the patient and establish a treatment
of the participants given the placebo showed a positive re-
hierarchy based on the relative impairment from the
sponse. The literature is limited, however, in studies of tri-
patient’s disorders. For example, if a patient has ADHD
cyclic antidepressants and current substance abuse in pa-
and major depressive disorder, then the depression should
be treated first if it has a greater negative effect on the
Studies that have evaluated the newer antidepressant
bupropion in the treatment of ADHD with comorbid sub-
COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUA TE PRESS, INC. COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC. Table 2. Medications Available for the Treatment of ADHD Plus Substance Abuse Disorders
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (promising)
aIn order of increasing abuse potential.
stance abuse have generally found bupropion to be effec-
tive. Riggs et al.40 examined the use of bupropion in treat-
ing ADHD in adolescents with substance abuse and con-
duct disorder. The open, 5-week trial in 13 adolescents (all
completed) in residential treatment resulted in moderate
reductions in ADHD symptoms and mild reduction in sub-
stance abuse and craving. The mean score on the ConnersHyperactivity Index declined by 13%, mean score on the
Daydream Attention score declined by 10%, and mean
score on the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Ill-
Solhkhah et al.41 conducted an open, 6-month study of
the effectiveness of bupropion sustained release, up to a
maximum of 400 mg/day, in 14 adolescents with ADHD,
substance abuse, and mood disorders. The researchers
found moderate reductions in ADHD symptoms, sub-
stance abuse, and cravings in the 13 completers. Partici-
pants’ scores on the Drug Use Screening Inventory-
ders (SUD)
Revised declined 39% from baseline to endpoint, and
scores on the ADHD Symptom Checklist declined 43%
from baseline to endpoint. There were no serious adverseevents in the group.
A 12-week study by Levin et al.42 on the effectiveness
of bupropion in 11 adults with ADHD seeking treatment
for cocaine abuse found similarly positive results. Of the11 patients, 10 completed the study. Study participants
were given 250 to 400 mg/day of bupropion and concur-
rent psychotherapy. ADHD and cocaine use decreased
considerably over the course of the trial. The mean scores
ith ADHD Plus Substance Use Disor
on the ADHD Rating Scale declined by half from baseline
to the close of the trial. Cocaine craving, as measured by a
visual analog scale, decreased by a mean of 46%, and the
number of days of cocaine use, as measured by the Addic-
tion Severity Index, declined by 91% from baseline to
Prince et al.43 studied bupropion sustained release, in
doses up to 200 mg/day, to investigate whether it success-
fully treated ADHD in adults with substance abuse while
reducing the substance abuse. They conducted an open,6-week trial comprising 32 adults diagnosed with ADHD
and substance abuse. Subjects were referred for SUD
able 1. Medication Studies of Adults W
treatment. Only 19 individuals completed the study, a 41%
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ADHD Treatment and Substance Abuse in Adults
dropout rate. However, the study showed significant reduc-
Of interest, no evidence exists to suggest that treating
tions in ADHD symptoms and only minor reduction in sub-
ADHD pharmacologically during an active SUD exacer-
stance abuse in adults treated with bupropion. The study
bates the SUD. In particular, studies of bupropion40–43
participants whose ADHD responded to treatment showed
show no increased substance use or craving in general,
the most improvement in substance abuse; conversely,
or cocaine use in particular. Moreover, methylphenidate
60% of participants whose substance abuse diminished
treatment did not increase cocaine use or cocaine craving
also showed a decline in symptoms of ADHD. No reports
according to subjective and objective data. These findings
of drug interactions with substances of abuse emerged.
are consistent with those of Grabowski et al.,27 who sys-tematically evaluated methylphenidate as a potential co-
caine-blocking agent by studying cocaine addicts without
Another medication that has been found effective in the
ADHD and administering methylphenidate or placebo.
treatment of ADHD in adults is atomoxetine. Atomoxetine,
While methylphenidate was not effective in reducing co-
a nonstimulant, is a highly specific noradrenergic reuptake
caine use or craving compared with placebo, there was no
inhibitor that is not associated with substance abuse patho-
evidence that methylphenidate exacerbated any aspect of
physiology or neural networks. Michelson et al.44 recently
the cocaine addiction. Similar findings have been reported
reported on two 10-week, double-blind, controlled studies
in a pilot study using dextroamphetamine in adult amphet-
on atomoxetine in adults with ADHD (N = 536) showing
amine abusers48 in which no exacerbation of the stimulant
significant reductions in symptoms on both the self-rated
abuse or craving emerged during the 12-week randomized
and investigator-rated versions of the Conners Adult
ADHD Rating Scale. Atomoxetine is unscheduled and hasso far shown no signs of abuse potential. For example, one
study by Heil et al.45 systematically evaluated the abuseliability of atomoxetine and demonstrated that no abuse
Concerns still exist about the safety of pharmaco-
liability in adults exists at therapeutic dosing. Very recent
therapy in adults with ADHD and SUD. Medications with
data on atomoxetine in adults with ADHD and SUD show
known drug interactions with substances of abuse (e.g.,
an absence of acute liability in this group (data on file, Eli
marijuana and tricyclic antidepressants49) should be
Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Ind.). Atomoxetine is clearly
avoided. Patients should be monitored for compliance
promising as a first-line agent given its lack of abuse liabil-
with the treatment plan, misuse or abuse of medication,
ity and relative freedom from drug interactions with sub-
and reselling of medication. Also, patients may believe
stances of abuse. Moreover, atomoxetine may also be use-
that pharmacologic treatment conflicts with the drug-free
ful in addressing any additional psychiatric comorbities,
ideology they are being taught, but they should be re-
such as anxiety and mood disorders, reported in adults in
minded that they are taking prescribed medication, not
Monitoring of adults in treatment for ADHD and sub-
stance abuse requires frequent follow-up questionnaires,
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate and amphet-
objective toxicology screens, and contingency plans. Cli-
amines, are considered second-line agents for adolescents
nicians need to know what they plan to do if the individual
and adults with ADHD and SUD. When prescribing stimu-
they are treating continues to abuse substances. Gradual
lants, the clinician should begin with a medication with a
steps must be taken with patients who cannot control their
low abuse liability, such as pemoline or methylphenidate.
substance abuse. For example, a patient whose urine tests
A study27 has suggested that methylphenidate does not
positive for substances might be referred to a self-help
encourage preexisting substance addictions, but diversion
group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anony-
and abuse of the medication itself is still a concern, espe-
mous. If the patient continues to use substances, the clini-
cially in the ADHD and comorbid SUD population. The
cian might insist that he or she seek outpatient substance
use of extended-release stimulant preparations is recom-
abuse treatment. If the outpatient treatment is not effec-
mended because they may reduce the risk of medication
tive, the clinician could ask the patient to consider
In the largest study to date, Schubiner et al.38 conducted
a 12-week controlled trial of methylphenidate in 48 adults
with ADHD and cocaine abuse. Despite the high attritionrate, they found a significant reduction in symptoms of
Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk for substance
ADHD with no change in cocaine craving or use. An open
abuse than adults without ADHD, especially when comor-
trial of methylphenidate in 12 adults with ADHD and co-
bid conditions are present. ADHD also changes the course
caine abuse47 found a reduction in symptoms of ADHD and
of substance abuse in adults. Self-medication has been ex-
cocaine craving and use from baseline to endpoint.
amined as a possible cause of the high rate of substance
COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUA TE PRESS, INC. COPYRIGHT 2004 PHYSICIANS POSTGRADUATE PRESS, INC.
abuse in adults with ADHD, as has treatment with stimu-
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PREPARING FOR MISSION? Issues to consider if you are in mid life. Introduction This information is designed for second wind people who have already worked through some of the initial stages of reflection and prayer and have arrived at the place where they feel God has called them – either to seriously explore further, or maybe to go and check out an opportunity on the ground,
Nº 343 Semana del 4 al 10 de junio de 2007Profesor de Derecho Administrativo, Facultad de Derecho Universidad de ChileRESUMEN: El autor expone los fundamentos de las falacias que él postula en relación 2. PRIMERA FALACIA: LA TOMA DE RAZÓN ES LA REGLA GENERAL al trámite de toma de razón que realiza la Contraloría General de la República. QUE SE APLICA A LA TOTALIDAD DE LOS ACTOS DE