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| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Poster | | Title: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder adversely impacts everyday functioning in chronic methamphetamine users. | | Authors: Obermeit L, Cattie JE, Bolden K, Marquine M, Morgan EE, Franklin D, Grant I, Woods SP and the TMARC Group | | Date: 06-18-2013 | | Abstract:Aims:
Methamphetamine (MA) use is commonly accompanied by significant clinical disabilities, the severity of which is associated with neurocognitive impairment, polysubstance use, and psychiatric comorbidity (e.g., depression). One previously unstudied psychiatric comorbidity that may be particularly relevant to real-world functional outcomes among MA users is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is independently associated with a wide range of problems in everyday functioning. Methods:
In the current study, we evaluated 400 individuals with DSM-IV diagnoses of MA use disorders within 18 months of evaluation who completed a comprehensive neuropsychiatric and medical research battery. 21% (n=83) of the MA subjects met lifetime diagnostic criteria for ADHD (13% with current diagnoses) as determined by structured clinical interview. All participants completed self-report measures of everyday functioning, including declines in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), cognitive complaints, and employment status. Results: Separate regressions predicting the three everyday functioning outcomes from ADHD group, along with important co-factors (i.e., demographics, depression, other substance use disorders, and recency of MA use) were significant at the omnibus level (ps < .01). Examination of individual predictors in these models revealed that ADHD diagnoses were uniquely associated with greater concurrent risk of declines in IADL, elevated cognitive complaints, and unemployment (ps < .01). Conclusions: Findings indicate that ADHD may play an important role in MA-associated disability in a wide range of real-world activities, which may reflect increased comorbidity burden on neurocognitive abilities, premorbid risk factors, and/or psychosocial competencies in already vulnerable chronic MA users. Efforts to screen for and treat ADHD in individuals with MA dependence may help to improve real-world outcomes. |
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