Irish study shows one in five drug and alcohol users have symptoms of ADHD

The research, led by Professor Catherine Comiskey of Trinity College Dublin, said their study of Irish people who use substances found that they went through a “tortuous” journey in terms of diagnosis and treatment as well as their self-understanding and understanding by their families. Picture: Paul Sharp/Sharpix

One in five people using drugs and alcohol have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a major study by Irish researchers.

The study found the highest rate of ADHD was among women using benzodiazepines, which are a group of common sedative and tranquilliser medications, both prescribed legally and sold illegally on the street and online.

In addition to this study — which was a review of research across 32 countries involving almost 57,000 people — the Irish academics also conducted an online survey among 288 people in Ireland who have used substances.

This found an ADHD prevalence rate of 51%, over twice as high, and found the prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was 37%.

The study, carried out for Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign, said screening for neurodiversity among people attending drug services should become part of the assessment process — adding there was a “pressing need” for immediate and long-term training and education of staff.

The research, led by Professor Catherine Comiskey of Trinity College Dublin, said their study of Irish people who use substances found that they went through a “tortuous” journey in terms of diagnosis and treatment as well as their self-understanding and understanding by their families.

Commenting on their examination of international research, Prof Comiskey said: “Our review of this data revealed that the overall estimate of the prevalence of ADHD within the population of people using drugs and alcohol was 21%.” 

When comparing rates of prevalence across substances, the data showed that over one third of bendzodiazepine users display ADHD symptoms.

The study found that international research found that ADHD rates were highest among women taking benzodiazepines and among men using alcohol.

In addition the rates of ADHD were “significantly higher” among people who were members of the LGBT+ community compared to heterosexuals.

In relation to the 288 people in Ireland who took part in an online survey, it found ADHD prevalence rates of 51% — comprising a rate of 54% among men and 46% among women.

It found prevalence rates for ASD of 37% — comprising 33% among males and 39% among females.

And compared to the overall ADHD rate of 51%, the rate increased to 64% among LGBT+ people. Regarding the overall ASD rate of 39%, the rate stood at 57% among the LGBT+ group.

Cannabis was the illegal drug most used, with 28% of people saying they used it at least weekly — but this soared to 65% among people with ADHD symptoms.

After cannabis, the next most popular drugs were street opiates (such as heroin or methadone), cocaine, and prescription opiates.

The survey found that the people in the sample were very well educated, with 73% attending third level college, compared to 48% of Irish people as a whole.

Based on interviews with service providers the report found communicating with and managing people with neurodiverse conditions “provided a major challenge” for staff, particularly in relation to ASD.

Staff reported a lack of a system for referring people into the health service for adults wanting to receive a formal diagnosis for ADHD or ASD.

In addition, providing appropriate support for those with mental health and drug/alcohol problems was raised “by almost all the providers as a major issue” for their service.

Prof Comiskey said: “Our research also involved a study of qualitative interviews with service providers and we found that the majority of them did not have any formal education or training in neurodiversity.” 

Ken Kilbride, chief executive of ADHD Ireland, said: "I would like to highly commend Citywide for commissioning this research, which highlights the severe impact ADHD can have across someone’s lifespan when not suitably supported.”