ADHD as a risk factor for early onset and heightened adult problem severity of illicit substance use: An accelerated gateway model

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 39; no. 12; pp. 1755 - 1758
• Main Authors: Dunne, Eugene M, Hearn, Lauren E, Rose, Jonathan J, Latimer, William W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2014; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; ADHD; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Alcohol; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Baltimore - epidemiology; Comorbidity; Drug use; Female; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Illicit drugs; Injection drug use; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; Severity of Illness Index; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Tobacco; Young Adult; Baltimore; United States > US; Baltimore Maryland; ADHD; Illicit drugs; Alcohol; Tobacco; Injection drug use
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.07.009

Abstract The primary aims of the present study were to assess ADHD history as a risk factor for earlier initiation and current use of licit and illicit substances among a sample of drug using adults. It was hypothesized that ADHD history would accelerate the Gateway Theory of drug use. Participants included 941 drug-using African American and Caucasian individuals in Baltimore, Maryland. The sample consisted of 124 (13.2%) participants who reported a history of ADHD and 817 (86.8%) who reported no history of ADHD. The accelerated gateway hypothesis was supported, as a history of self-reported ADHD was significantly associated with younger ages of initiation for alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and cocaine use. Participants with a history of ADHD were also more likely to engage in recent HIV-risk behavior, such as injection drug use and needle sharing. This study provides compelling data in support of an accelerated gateway model for substance use related to ADHD history and increased problem severity in adulthood. Targeted substance use prevention and intervention may be beneficial for those with ADHD.