PREVALENCE OF ADULT ADHD AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH NICOTINE USE AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Abstract

Background: ADHD increases risk for psychiatric comorbidities, including substance use disorders. Individuals with  ADHD start substance use earlier, experiment more with drugs, and have higher nicotine addiction risk. These factors underscore the clinical importance of exploring ADHD in substance use. There is not much Indian literature on Adult ADHD and substance use disorder, hence this study was carried out to assess the prevalence of Adult ADHD in patients with severe alcohol use disorder and to compare nicotine dependence and executive function between those with and without adult ADHD. Materials and Methods: 54 individuals diagnosed with Alcohol use disorder [severe] as per DSM-5 criteria were screened for Adult ADHD using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale [ASRS-v1.1]. The diagnosis of adult ADHD was confirmed using the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults [DIVA 2.0] and the Wender Utah Rating Scale. Nicotine dependence and severity was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and executive function was evaluated using the Frontal Assessment Battery [FAB]. Results: Out of 54 individuals, 13 [24.1%] were diagnosed with adult ADHD and 12 [22.2%] had nicotine dependence. The mean Fagerström score was significantly higher in the ADHD group [4.75 ± 1.89] than in the non-ADHD group [2.50 ± 1.31; p < 0.05]. The mean FAB score was slightly lower in the ADHD group [15.31 ± 1.49] compared to the non-ADHD group [15.66 ± 1.41], but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Adult ADHD and nicotine dependence was highly prevalent in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder but there was not much impairment in executive functioning.