Up to 46% of people seeking cannabis addiction treatment may have undiagnosed ADHD
In a study of 99 adults seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders, ADHD prevalence was estimated at 34-46% depending on the screening tool used, far higher than the general population rate.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 99 adults seeking cannabis use disorder treatment, ADHD prevalence was estimated at 34% (CAARS), 45% (WURS), 46% (ASRS), or 36% (WURS+CAARS combined). The Wender Utah Rating Scale paired with the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale provided the best combination of sensitivity (0.71) and specificity (0.95) for ADHD screening in this population.
Key Numbers
99 participants; ADHD prevalence 34-46% depending on screening tool; WURS+CAARS: sensitivity 0.71, specificity 0.95; general population ADHD prevalence ~4-5%.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional validation study using the Conners Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview (CAADID) as gold standard to assess sensitivity and specificity of four ADHD screening tools in 99 cannabis use disorder treatment seekers.
Why This Research Matters
If one-third to nearly half of cannabis treatment seekers have ADHD, failing to screen for and treat ADHD could undermine cannabis treatment outcomes. This finding suggests ADHD screening should be routine in cannabis treatment settings.
The Bigger Picture
People with ADHD may use cannabis to self-medicate symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Addressing ADHD directly could reduce cannabis dependence by treating the underlying condition driving use.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample (n=99); treatment-seeking population may over-represent comorbid conditions; cross-sectional; ADHD screening tools validated against CAADID, which itself has limitations; prevalence may not reflect non-treatment-seeking cannabis users.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does treating ADHD improve cannabis use disorder outcomes?
- ?Should all cannabis treatment programs screen for ADHD?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- ADHD prevalence 34-46% in cannabis treatment seekers vs ~4-5% general population
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: gold-standard ADHD diagnostic interview used, but small treatment-seeking sample.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- ADHD Is Highly Prevalent in Patients Seeking Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorders.
- Published In:
- Journal of attention disorders, 24(11), 1487-1492 (2020)
- Authors:
- Notzon, Daniel P(2), Pavlicova, Martina(8), Glass, Andrew(5), Mariani, John J, Mahony, Amy L, Brooks, Daniel J, Levin, Frances R
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02750
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is ADHD common among people with cannabis addiction?
Very. This study estimated ADHD prevalence at 34-46% among cannabis treatment seekers, roughly 8-10 times higher than the general population rate of 4-5%.
How should clinicians screen for ADHD in cannabis patients?
The study found the Wender Utah Rating Scale combined with the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale provided the best sensitivity (0.71) and specificity (0.95) for detecting ADHD in this population.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02750APA
Notzon, Daniel P; Pavlicova, Martina; Glass, Andrew; Mariani, John J; Mahony, Amy L; Brooks, Daniel J; Levin, Frances R. (2020). ADHD Is Highly Prevalent in Patients Seeking Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorders.. Journal of attention disorders, 24(11), 1487-1492. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716640109
MLA
Notzon, Daniel P, et al. "ADHD Is Highly Prevalent in Patients Seeking Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorders.." Journal of attention disorders, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716640109
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "ADHD Is Highly Prevalent in Patients Seeking Treatment for C..." RTHC-02750. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/notzon-2020-adhd-is-highly-prevalent
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.