Report 1
PSYCH 101
Topic- ADD/ADHD
Citation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "ADHD, conduct disorder linked to
alcohol, tobacco use in young teens." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 December 2014. URLhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141210081122.htm
ADHD has become the most common neurodevelopmental disorder seen in children and
adolescents in the United States, mostly affecting those who are 4 to 17 years old.
Adolescents diagnosed with ADHD tend to be hyperactive and more likely to have behavioral
problems, both of which can contribute to alcohol and tobacco abuse. The purpose of this report
is to identify the link between ADHD and the use of alcohol and tobacco. Substance abuse
is a real threat to teenagers who are diagnosed with psychological disorders. People with
ADHD involve unsafe behavior and negative experiences throughout their life that
eventuallyleads to an increased risk for Alcohol Use. The research conducted by Dr. Willian
Brinkman and his colleagues shows that there is a direct link between ADHD and Conduct
disorder in young adolescents and increased use of tobacco and alcohol among them.
Through the research, it has been found that adolescents with ADHD who initiate the use
of alcohol and tobacco are more likely form a dependence on alcohol and tobacco than normal
individuals. Research shows the correlation between ADHD and substances abuse. However,
it does not prove that correlation leads to causation, but causation implies correlation. Correlation
is one of the conditions that infer a link between ADHD and alcohol use.
The method used in this research is stratified random sampling. Stratified random
sampling enables the researchers to obtain a sample population that best represents the entire
population being studied. In this case, the sample is 2500 students between the agesof 12
and 15. Dr.
Brinkman and his colleagues studied the survey conducted by National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey on this sample. The major purpose of this study was to find out if adolescents
report any use of alcohol and tobacco and the age at which they initiate using.
After the research, Dr. Brinkman came to the conclusion that Adolescents with ADHD and
conduct disorder (CD) diagnoses had three to five times increased chances of using tobacco and
alcohol and initiating use at a younger age compared to those with no disorder. However, not
everyone with ADHD will misuse or get addicted to alcohol, but their risk of developing a
dependency on alcohol and tobacco is higher. ADHD diagnoses are linked to a higher risk for a
range of tobacco and alcohol use outcomes among young adolescents in the U.S.
After reading the article and doing the research to write this report I came across facts that
were totally new to me. The most important thing I learned is the connection between
psychological disorder and the use of alcohol and substances. I also came across a study that shows
Adolescents having ADHD are more likely to be diagnosed with Conduct disorder and that might
lead to a higher probability of developing a dependency on alcohol and tobacco. Although person
diagnosed with Conduct disorder alone does not have higher chances of alcohol or tobacco use but
together with ADHD it enhances the probability of alcohol and substance abuse. Some research
also suggests that if alcoholism runs in the family, it might pass on to children with ADHD, who
are even more likely to have alcohol problems. Researchers have found out that ADHD and
alcoholism share common genes, which is another reason why adolescents are more likely to
develop a dependency on alcohol.
However, with the increased discovery in the theories of the complex relationship between
ADHD and the use of alcohol and substances, there are various treatments and therapies available
to overcome the problem of alcoholism and substance use with ADHD. These treatments and
therapies help to alleviate the risk of addiction and also manage the symptoms of any
psychological disorder.