'Important Step Forward In Research On ADHD And Substance Abuse'

With the launch of the website the International Collaboration on ADHD and Substance Abuse (ICASA) is now an official Foundation. "An important step forward for research on ADHD and Substance Abuse", says ICASA-director Geurt van de Glind of the Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands. "When Substance Use Disorders develop in people with ADHD, both disorders are complicated even further. Working for ICASA provides the opportunity to conduct important and innovative research with a team of international experts and to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between these disorders", states Sharlene Kaye from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Australia, and board member of ICASA.



ICASA is a collaborative network of over 40 researchers from 11 EU-countries, the USA and Australia. They all share one ambition: to contribute to a substantial decrease in the proportion of ADHD patients developing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and to substantially improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of patients having both ADHD and SUD.


Currently ICASA is conducting three studies: the IASP (International ADHD in Substance use disorders Prevalence) prevalence study; the DNA sampling within the IASP study and the CASP study - Continuous performance test for ADHD in SUD patients. Two further studies are currently being developed: one international study on the genetics of ADHD and Drug Dependence (ISGADD) and another on the effects of physical exercise for patients with ADHD and SUD. This is just the beginning, with many studies to follow in the future.



About ADHD and SUD


Among adult SUD patients, ADHD is a common diagnosis with a prevalence of 15-30%. There is mounting evidence that ADHD is an important risk factor in the development and persistence of addiction. ADHD is associated with an early onset of substance abuse, a more rapid transition into severe types of substance abuse and a problematic course of SUD, including more difficulty in reaching remission.


Data on ADHD prevalence in EU countries are scarce. A systematic prevalence study has not yet been executed. Until recently, the majority of ADHD patients would remain undiagnosed due to a lack of recognition of the disorder and lack of treatment expertise. Controlled long term studies of the effect of ADHD treatment on the prognosis of addiction are also still lacking. ICASA increases knowledge and awareness on the subject of ADHD and SUD.


Source:

ICASA