Effects of adult attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms on clinical and treatment course of patients with opioid use disorder

ABSTRACT Objective:The research goals of this study were to investigate ADHD symptoms, impulsivity and aggression levels; as well as the effects of these features on clinical characteristics, treatment and follow-ups of patients who are diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD). Method: 100 patients between the ages of 18-40 who were diagnosed with OUD (according to DSM-V diagnostic criteria) that were not under substance influence and showed no withdrawal symptoms at the time of the interview, were included in the study. A control group of 50 people were chosen who were matched with the patient group on age, gender and education and who had never had any psychiatric/psychologic treatment. All participants were given a Socio-demographic Data Form, ADHD Inventory, Buss-Perry Aggression Inventory (BPAI) and Barratt Impulsivity Inventory-11 (BDÖ). An Addiction Profile Index was applied only to the patient group. Data was analyzed using PASW 18 (SPSS/IBM Chicago, IL, USA). Finding: Adult ADHD symptom levels lead to higher risk behaviors such as intravenous heroin use, injector sharing, criminal activities and recruitment service penalties. Likewise there has been a positive correlation between the adult ADHD symptom levels and the amount and period of heroin use, the number of attempts to quit and hospitalization. In our study, the BPAI and BDÖ total scores of patient groups were significantly higher than the control groups. It was found that as the Adult ADHD symptom levels increase, BPAI and BDÖ total scores also scale up. Results: It has been observed that the risk of substance use increases with adult ADHD symptoms as well as impulsivity and aggression. And these subjects should be considered and focused on treatment wise. Keywords: Opioid use disorder, Adult ADHD, Impulsivity, Aggression