The association of ADHD and Substance Abuse has been a focus of research. Studies point to elevated rates of ADHD in patients with history of alcohol abuse or dependence.

The main objective of this study was to assess the presence of ADHD in patients with history of alcohol abuse or dependence and investigate a possible relationship with consumption patterns and other mental comorbidities, including personality disorders.

We interviewed patients that were hospitalized, were attending the Day Hospital or were being followed in therapeutic groups in a Treatment and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit of the Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. It was collected social and demographic data and applied the following scales: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS); Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (DIVA 2.0); Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire for the DSM IV (PDQ4). Patients were also submitted to a psychiatric interview in order to assess the presence of other comorbidities and suicide attempts.

57 patients were evaluated, 80% were male; 63.2% obtained scores PDQ4 suggestive of personality disorder. A high percentage of patients had an history of consumption of other abuse substances and had comorbidity with depression and anxiety disorders. In ASRS scale, 33.3% had scores suggestive of ADHD.

Diagnosis of ADHD in patients with substance abuse is complex since there are similar symptoms that are present in other mental disorders. However, the presence of ADHD is associated with a more severe expression of addictive behaviors and a worse prognosis, hence the importance of its early diagnosis.