Teens with ADHD More Likely to Have Substance Abuse Issues
Teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) are significantly more likely to have substance abuse issues and
to smoke cigarettes, compared with their peers without a history of the
disorder, according to a nationwide study.
The study found when teens were an average of 15 years old, 35
percent of those with ADHD said they used one or more substances,
compared with 20 percent of teens without a history of the disorder, Science Daily
reports. Ten percent of teens with ADHD experienced significant
problems from their substance abuse, compared with 3 percent of those
without ADHD.
The researchers found by age 17, about 13 percent of those with ADHD
experienced marijuana abuse or dependence, compared with 7 percent of
those without the disorder. Daily cigarette smoking was also higher
among teens with the disorder in this age group—17 percent, compared
with 8 percent among teens without ADHD.
Both teens with and without ADHD had high rates of alcohol use, the
study found. Teens who were treated with ADHD medication had similar
substance abuse rates, compared with those who were not being treated
for the disorder.
The findings appear in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“This study underscores the significance of the substance abuse risk
for both boys and girls with childhood ADHD,” lead author Brooke Molina,
PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said in a news release.
“These findings also are the strongest test to date of the association
between medication for ADHD and teenage substance abuse.”
Molina added, “We are working hard to understand the reasons why
children with ADHD have increased risk of drug abuse. Our hypotheses,
partly supported by our research and that of others, is that impulsive
decision making, poor school performance, and difficulty making healthy
friendships all contribute.”
This is not a a rocket science conclusion. If you categorize someone as having a defect, there self esteem rests on rejecting societal admonitions. I wonder how much it cost, and how long it took you, to come to this conclusion about other people.
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