NCJ Number
167193
Journal
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (1996) Pages: 55-60
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated 43 men between 18 and 48 years of age who were in treatment for cocaine abuse or dependence for history of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adult symptoms.
Abstract
Participants completed a quantitative cocaine history and an interview designed to explore subjective cocaine experiences. High ADHD scores were significantly correlated with high gram use of cocaine and with negative affective responses related to cocaine use. Participants with high ADHD scores also reported more use of cocaine for self-medication and higher degrees of craving and sleeplessness during the month before entering treatment. Results demonstrate that ADHD in childhood and adult symptoms may need to be considered as an added focus of treatment for cocaine dependence among patients with adult symptomatology. Until definitive criteria are established for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults, the association between ADHD symptomatology and cocaine use should not be interpreted as a simple causal sequence. 27 references and 1 table