Young adults with ADHD had significantly higher rates of cannabis and other substance use disorders
In a nationally representative Canadian survey, young adults with ADHD had 46% higher odds of cannabis use disorder, with one in three having a lifetime alcohol use disorder compared to one in five without ADHD.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
After adjusting for sociodemographics, childhood adversities, and mental health, young adults with ADHD had higher odds of alcohol use disorders (OR 1.38), cannabis use disorders (OR 1.46), other drug use disorders (OR 2.07), and any substance use disorder (OR 1.69). Depression and anxiety history explained the largest portion of the ADHD-substance use disorder relationship.
Key Numbers
6,872 respondents aged 20-39. 270 with ADHD. Alcohol use disorder: 36% of ADHD vs 19% without. Cannabis use disorder OR 1.46. Other drug use disorder OR 2.07. Depression and anxiety were the strongest mediators.
How They Did This
Secondary analysis of the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (6,872 respondents aged 20-39, including 270 with ADHD). Substance use disorders diagnosed using WHO CIDI criteria. ADHD based on self-reported professional diagnosis.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding that ADHD significantly increases substance use disorder risk, particularly through depression and anxiety pathways, can help target prevention efforts.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that depression and anxiety mediate much of the ADHD-substance use relationship suggests that treating psychiatric comorbidities in ADHD may help prevent substance use disorders.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish temporal order. ADHD based on self-reported diagnosis, not standardized assessment. Canadian population may not generalize to other countries.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would treating depression and anxiety in ADHD patients reduce their substance use disorder risk?
- ?Are specific ADHD subtypes more vulnerable to cannabis use disorder?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 36% of young adults with ADHD had lifetime alcohol use disorder vs 19% without
- Evidence Grade:
- Nationally representative survey with validated diagnostic criteria, though cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Canadian Nationally Representative Survey.
- Published In:
- Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 57(3), 385-395 (2022)
- Authors:
- Fuller-Thomson, Esme(2), Lewis, Danielle A, Agbeyaka, Senyo(2)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03854
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why are people with ADHD more vulnerable to substance use disorders?
The study found that depression and anxiety history explained the largest portion of the increased risk, followed by childhood adversities and socioeconomic status, suggesting these co-occurring conditions drive much of the vulnerability.
How much higher was the cannabis use disorder risk?
Young adults with ADHD had 46% higher odds of developing a cannabis use disorder (OR 1.46) after adjusting for multiple factors including demographics, childhood adversity, and mental health.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03854APA
Fuller-Thomson, Esme; Lewis, Danielle A; Agbeyaka, Senyo. (2022). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Canadian Nationally Representative Survey.. Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 57(3), 385-395. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agab048
MLA
Fuller-Thomson, Esme, et al. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders in Young Adulthood: Findings from a Canadian Nationally Representative Survey.." Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agab048
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Alcohol and Oth..." RTHC-03854. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/fuller-thomson-2022-attentiondeficithyperactivity-disorder-and-alcohol
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.