Adult ADHD and Substance Abuse: Diagnostic and Treatment Issues |
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Authors: | Aparna S. Kalbag Frances R. Levin |
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Affiliation: | Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New YorkUSA |
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Abstract: | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral, developmental disorder most often diagnosed during childhood, marked by the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that results in social, academic, and occupational underachievement. Although the disorder has a prevalence of 3–9% in the general childhood population and 1–5% in the general adult population, it affects between 11 and 35% of “substance-abusing” adults, oftentimes complicating treatment response. The present review discusses diagnostic assessment issues, prevalence, comorbidity, pharmacotherapy, and psychological interventions in substance-abusing adults with ADHD. |
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Keywords: | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) substance-user populations dual-diagnosis assessment treatment |
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