الفهرس 
S UBSTANCE U SE D ISORDEROnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: The intersection of Attention deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUD) in adolescents and adults has been an area of increasing awareness. It was found that individuals with both diagnoses have an earlier onset, a longer course, and greater severity, with more relapses and greater difficulty remaining abstinent. Although Impulsivity and consequent risk-taking are associated with both disorders, there are little data on the impact of comorbid ADHD on the likelihood and frequency of risk-taking behaviour among individuals with SUD especially among female patients.
Aim of the Work: To
(1) Assess females seeking treatment for SUDs for the presence of comorbid ADHD.
(2) Investigate the association between severity of substance use disorder and co-occurring ADHD symptoms.
(3) Examine related risk behaviours in females seeking treatment for SUD with co-occurring symptoms of ADHD.
Methodology: 30 participants with diagnosis of SUD (15 with co-occuring ADHD symptoms) were administered a semi structured interview assessing demographics, drug use and sexual history, psychiatric history, self-reported adult ADHD symptoms (ASRS) and Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Barrett impulsivity scale and aggression and hostility scale for related risk behaviours.
Results: Those with co-occuring SUD and ADHD symptoms were more likely to report early onset (<15 years) for illicit drug use and (<13 years) for nicotine use. ADHD symptom status was not independently associated with impulsive, aggression or hostility risk-taking, but was an independent predictor of having first sexual activity at younger age (<16 years)
Conclusion: Presence of adult ADHD symptoms significantly affects the course of substance use disorder in females. Adult SUD with ADHD females have an earlier age of smoking as well as earlier age of onset of substance use, also earlier age of first sexual activity compared to those without ADHD.