Indicators of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and treatment outcomes of males in mandated treatment for substance abuse

There is a great deal of research that suggests that a childhood diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be a strong predictor of future substance use and that this connection may be due to specific traits both populations share. Traits such as impulse control problems, thrill-seeking behaviors, poor planning, and executive functioning deficits are characteristics of individuals with ADHD and those who are substance users. Research also suggests that people with indicators of ADHD may begin to use drugs at a younger age, which alone may indicate a poor treatment prognosis. People with ADHD also tend to choose substances in the stimulant/amphetamine category of drugs more often, due to the paradoxical effects of these substances they moderate hyperactive and impulsive symptoms in those with ADHD.Although dual diagnosis clients are increasingly common in substance abuse settings, existing research indicates that this population has a higher rate of failure in treatment. This suggests that perhaps specific co-occurring disorders are not being adequately addressed or specific interventions are not being utilized. The participants in this research were involved in the aftercare component of a drug-diversion program for individuals convicted of substance abuse-related crimes. The hypothesis of this project was that participants with higher levels of ADHD indicators would be more likely to be terminated from the treatment program while those with lower levels of ADHD indicators would be more likely to graduate successfully.This hypothesis was supported, which indicates that a dual diagnosis of ADHD and substance use is an important factor in treatment outcome. Poor treatment outcomes may be due to not adequately addressing co-occurring mental health issues. It is imperative that future research be conducted to determine what specifically contributes to this higher rate of treatment failure. It appears the impact of ADHD on drug treatment is not well-understood empirically and that interventions specifically targeted to this population are yet to be discovered. Interventions may include proper assessment, program and curriculum development, targeting specific ADHD symptoms with behavioral strategies or medication, and a high level of training and education for clinicians working with this population.