Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Addictions (substance and Behavioral): Prevalence and Characteristics in a Multicenter Study in France

Overview

Journal J Behav Addict

Publisher Akademiai Kiado

Specialties Psychiatry
Social Sciences

Date 2018 Jul 17

PMID 30010409

Citations 17

Authors

Lucia Romo

Joel Ladner

Gayatri Kotbagi

Yannick Morvan

Dalia Saleh

Marie Pierre Tavolacci

Laurence Kern

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the possible links between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the presence of concomitant addictions with or without substance use in a French student population.

Measures: A battery of questionnaire measuring socioeconomic characteristics, university curriculum, ADHD (Wender Utah Rating Scale and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale), substance consumptions (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis), and behavioral addictions [(eating disorders (SCOFF)], Internet addiction (Internet Addiction Test), food addiction (Yale Food Addiction Scale), compulsive buying (Echeburua's), and problem gambling (The Canadian Problem Gambling Index)] and measures of physical activity (Godin's Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire) was filled up by university students in Rouen and Nanterre in France.

Results: A total of 1,517 students were included (472 from Paris Nanterre and 1,042 from Rouen). The mean age was 20.6 years (SD = 3.6) and the sex ratio male to female was 0.46. The prevalence of ADHD among the students (current ADHD with a history of ADHD in childhood) was 5.6%. A quarter (25.7%) of students had already repeated their university curriculum, compared to 42.2% among the students with ADHD. Students with possible ADHD had repeated classes more often and believed to have a lower academic level than the students without ADHD. Significant differences were found as students with ADHD were less likely to succeed in their studies (repeated classes more often) than non-ADHD students, and considered their academic level to be lower. They also had significantly higher scores on substance (alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco) as well as behavioral addictions (gambling, compulsive buying disorder, eating disorders, and Internet addiction).

Conclusion: It seems essential to determine students' problems and propose interventions adapted to students' needs, in order to reduce the negative impact on their future academic and global successes.

Citing Articles

Psychological Determinants of Conflict with the Law and Susceptibility to Rehabilitation in Relation to the Presence of Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Nowogrodzka A, Andrusiewicz M, Mojs E Brain Sci. 2025; 15(2).

PMID: 40002474 PMC: 11853508. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci15020141.

Investigating behavioural addictions in adults with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Findon J, Muck A, Tothpal-Davison B, Dommett E PLoS One. 2025; 20(2):e0317525.

PMID: 39908223 PMC: 11798432. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317525.

Symptoms of ADHD and Other Common Mental Disorders Influence Academic Success in South African Undergraduates.

Mohamad N, Rousseau K, Dowlut F, Gering M, Thomas K J Atten Disord. 2025; 29(5):363-386.

PMID: 39819162 PMC: 11800717. DOI: 10.1177/10870547241310659.

Correlates of Problematic Gambling in Emerging Adult University Students in Ireland.

Murphy M, Murphy R, Roberts A J Gambl Stud. 2024; 40(4):1987-2004.

PMID: 38849661 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-024-10323-5.

Factors associated with the use of benzodiazepine and opioid prescription drug in the student population: a cross-sectional study.

Thomas C, Dondaine T, Caron C, Bastien A, Cherot N, Deheul S Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):13040.

PMID: 38844771 PMC: 11156936. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63037-4.

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