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. 2022 Dec;26(14):1857-1869.
doi: 10.1177/10870547221105063. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Substance-Related Problems in Adolescents with ADHD-Diagnoses: The Importance of Self-Reported Conduct Problems

Ove Heradstveit  1   2 , Kristin Gärtner Askeland  1 , Tormod Bøe  1   3 , Astri Johansen Lundervold  3 , Irene Bircow Elgen  3 , Jens Christoffer Skogen  2   4 , Mads Uffe Pedersen  5 , Mari Hysing  1   3
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Substance-Related Problems in Adolescents with ADHD-Diagnoses: The Importance of Self-Reported Conduct Problems

Ove Heradstveit et al. J Atten Disord. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a known risk factor for substance-related problems (SRP) during adolescence, but the nature of this relationship and the importance of co-occurring conduct problems are not fully understood.

Methods: Data stem from a linked dataset between a large population-based survey conducted in 2012 of Norwegian adolescents aged 16 to 19, and registry-based data from specialized child and adolescent mental health services (n = 9,411).

Results: Adolescents with "ADHD + high conduct problems" had increased risk of SRP (odds ratios = 2.37-10.14). Adolescents with "ADHD only" had very similar risk of SRP as adolescents from the general population with low symptoms of conduct problems. Relative to boys, girls with "ADHD + high conduct problems" appeared to have somewhat higher risk for SRP.

Conclusion: The present study suggests that the risk for SRP among adolescent with ADHD is largely driven by co-existing conduct problems.

Keywords: ADHD; adolescence; child and adolescent mental health services; conduct problems; substance-related problems.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Unadjusted rates of total symptoms of substance-related problems in adolescents with ADHD-diagnoses, stratified by co-existing conduct problems, compared with the survey sample (n = 9,441).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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