Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Status in a Mixed Gender Population of Opioid-Maintained Prison Inmates.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often coincides with substance abuse and delinquency. A sample of opioid-maintained inmates was assessed for symptoms of ADHD, substance abuse history, types of offense, psychiatric comorbidities, and psychopharmacological treatment using a standardized battery of instruments.

METHOD:

Adult inmates (n = 133, mean age 35.7 years, 21.8% female) in opioid-maintenance therapy (OMT) were administered the Adult ADHD self-report scale, Wender Utah Rating Scale, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, -European Addiction Severity Index.

RESULTS:

Fifty percent screened positive for childhood and 17% for adult ADHD, four (3.1%) received ADHD medication. Inmates with ADHD symptom status were significantly younger at first substance abuse, reported more drug overdoses, longer duration of cocaine and prescribed medication abuse and more in- and outpatient treatments (all p < 0.05). For all inmates in OMT a high rate of psychiatric comorbidities was observed (78.9%).

CONCLUSION:

There is a need for assessment of ADHD and other psychiatric comorbidities in OMT prisoners. Evidence-based treatment should be routinely provided.

• Authors: Marisa Silbernagl, Rudolf Slamanig, Maike Stegemann, Michael Sterzer, Laura Mayer, Gabriele Fischer, Annemarie Unger
• Journal: European addiction research (Eur Addict Res) Vol. 25 Issue 2 Pg. 80-92 ( 2019) ISSN: 1421-9891 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 30783059 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Austria (epidemiology)
• Comorbidity
• Drug Overdose (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mental Disorders (epidemiology)
• Opiate Substitution Treatment (psychology)
• Prisoners (psychology)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Substance-Related Disorders (epidemiology)
• Young Adult