Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and lifetime use of psychoactive substances among French university students: A cross-sectional study.
François A M Jean, Ashlyn N Schwartz, Charline Galesne, Zeineb Azouz, Marie C Navarro, Ilaria Montagni, Mélissa Macalli, Sylvana M Côté, Christophe Tzourio, Cédric Galéra
Psychiatry research October 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115489 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAmong 13,837 university students, those with more symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were more likely to have used a wide range of illicit substances over their lifetime, including ketamine, magic mushrooms, and poppers, as well as nine other psychoactive drugs. Higher ADHD symptom levels were also linked to using a greater number of different substances. The findings suggest that ADHD symptoms are associated with both the likelihood of ever using psychoactive substances and the variety of substances tried.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross sectional study Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13,837 |
| Population | University students |
| Keywords | ADHD Illicit substances Add Drug abuse Substance use |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | ADHD symptoms are significantly associated with lifetime use of multiple illicit psychoactive substances and with a greater variety of substances used. |
Abstract
In a cross sectional study of 13,837 university students, we aimed to explore the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and lifetime psychoactive substance use (LPSU) on a wide range of illicit substances. Logistic and Hurdel multivariable regressions were used. ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with the lifetime use of ketamine, magic mushrooms, poppers, and nine other psychoactive substances. There was an association between ADHD symptoms and both LPSU and truncated count of lifetime psychoactive substance use. High levels of ADHD symptoms are associated with the use of a large variety and multiple LPSU.