Adult ADHD and nicotine dependence

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to analyze the nicotine dependence of adult ADHD patients and compare it to matched controls. 60 adult out-patients with an ADHD diagnosis according to DSM-IV criteria and 60 age and gender matched controls. Smoking habits were assessed with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and additional questions. The smokers with ADHD suffered from more severe nicotine dependence. Females with ADHD smoked significantly more often and began to smoke regularly at an earlier age than males with ADHD. Applying the FTND we confirmed a high rate of highly dependent smokers among adult ADHD patients. The findings point to a higher vulnerability for the development of nicotine dependence in women with ADHD.