ADHD Linked to Higher Substance Use Disorder Prevalence in Study

Strategic Insights -

A new study has found associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUD), with sex-differences and psychiatric comorbidities playing a significant role in the relationship. Conducted by researchers at the University of Bergen, the study used data from Norway's Medical Birth Registry, Prescription Database, and Patient Registry to investigate the prevalence of SUD among individuals with ADHD.

Research conducted by Astri J. Lundervold and others at the University of Bergen has shed light on the significant associations between ADHD and SUD, with higher prevalence rates observed in males than females for most specific SUDs. The study also revealed that ADHD with psychiatric comorbidities, such as psychosis/schizophrenia and personality disorders, was associated with even larger differences in SUD prevalence among both males and females. The findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and close follow-up of individuals with ADHD, particularly those with comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant association between ADHD and SUD, with higher prevalence rates observed in males than females for most specific SUDs.
  • ADHD with psychiatric comorbidities, such as psychosis/schizophrenia and personality disorders, was associated with even larger differences in SUD prevalence among both males and females.
  • The study used data from Norway's Medical Birth Registry, Prescription Database, and Patient Registry to investigate the prevalence of SUD among individuals with ADHD.
  • The research was conducted by Astri J. Lundervold and others at the University of Bergen.
  • The study's findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention and close follow-up of individuals with ADHD, particularly those with comorbid psychiatric disorders.
  • The study also highlights the need for further research to evaluate potential causal relations between ADHD, other psychiatric comorbidities, and SUD, and understand the sex-differences in SUD prevalence across psychiatric comorbidities in ADHD.

Statistics:

  • The study found that ADHD was associated with SUD across all substances among both males and females, with a prevalence difference (PD) of 10.9% (10.4; 11.4).
  • The PDs were larger in males with ADHD than females for disorders related to cannabis, sedatives, stimulants, other substances, and multiple psychoactive substances.
  • ADHD with psychiatric comorbidities was associated with even larger differences in SUD prevalence among both males and females, with the largest differences observed for ADHD with psychosis/schizophrenia and ADHD with personality disorders.
  • The prevalence of SUD associated with ADHD was higher among males than females, with higher PDs in males for most specific SUDs.
  • The study found that the prevalence of SUD in individuals with ADHD and comorbid psychiatric disorders was significantly higher than in those without ADHD.

Sources:

  • Prevalence of substance use disorder in individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: associations with sex and psychiatric comorbidity. BMC Psychiatry, 2025;25(1):936.
  • BMC Psychiatry can be contacted at: Bmc, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; BMC Psychiatry - www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpsychiatry/)
  • University of Bergen can be contacted at: Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.