Consumption of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

A Pilot Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15440486
AuthorsAlexandra P Lam (0000-0001-5533-4655, University of Bonn, corresponding author), Sebastian Moeller (0000-0002-0381-6449, University of Bonn), Christine Speitling (Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg), Martin C Lam (0000-0002-4073-7379, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg), Alexandra Philipsen (0000-0001-6876-518X, University of Bonn), Helge Müller (Witten/Herdecke University), Helge H O Müller
Year2020
Volume19
Issue5
Pages1586-1604
Publication date2020-03-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1557-1874 • E-ISSN: 1557-1882
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s11469-020-00248-6
OpenAlexW3012926858
LanguageEN
References cited61

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with an increased risk for substance abuse and addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have gained rising importance as their consumption increased rapidly in the last few years. However, SC consumption in patients with adult ADHD has not been investigated yet. A prospective clinical pilot study was conducted, including 60 adults with ADHD, assessing the prevalence of SC consumption and its associations with psychiatric comorbidities and patient characteristics. A drug consumption survey was utilized to investigate the use of SC and other drugs. Current ADHD symptoms were evaluated via ADHD Self-Rating Scale (ADHD-SR) and retrospective childhood ADHD symptom severity via Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-k) questionnaire. A positive lifetime prevalence of SC consumption was found in 15.0% of the analyzed sample. SC consumption was significantly associated with current smoking, lifetime use of natural cannabis (NC), cocaine, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines. Lifetime NC consumption was indicated by 65.0% and found to antecede SC use in adult ADHD patients. Logistic regression analysis identified substance use disorder and male sex as predictive for SC consumption. Patients with history of SC use scored significantly higher in both WURS-k and ADHD-SR questionnaire compared with nonusers and suffered significantly more frequently from psychiatric comorbidities. Main side-effects of SC included gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. SC consumption in adults with ADHD is frequent and associated with stronger ADHD symptom severity. Given the underestimated dangerous effects and related comorbidities, SC use should be subject to scrutiny by clinicians treating ADHD patients. More studies are needed to further elucidate the impact of SC use in ADHD

Cannabis · Comorbidity · Logistic regression · Psychiatry · Rating scale · Substance abuse · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Bipolar Disorder and Treatment · Medicine · Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior · Psychology · Internal Medicine

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