Investigation of the relationship between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reinforcement sensitivity in substance use disorders

INTRODUCTION: It is known that adult ADHD comorbidity is high in cases with substance use disorder (SUD). With the prediction that the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), which Gray claims to underlie motivated behaviour, may be effective in these two psychopathological conditions, the relationship between BIS/BAS dimensions and ADHD symptoms in substance addicts was investigated in this study. METHODS: The study included 91 male patients over 18 who applied to the AMATEM outpatient clinic of Elazig Mental Health and Diseases Hospital for treatment and were diagnosed with substance use disorder according to DSM-5 and 99 healthy male controls with similar sociodemographic characteristics. A form in which sociodemographic and substance use-related questions were asked, and the Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS), Behavioral Inhibition System / Behavioral Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS Scale) were given to the participants. RESULTS: In our study, adult ADHD prevalence was 10.1% among substance addicts. When the groups were compared according to the scores, a statistically significant difference was found between the individuals with substance use disorder and the control group regarding BIS-anxiety, FFFS-fear, WURS, and ASRS scores DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that an inhibitory system such as DKDS-fear may not be activated as negative feedback in substance addicts and may impulsively turn to substances to cope with increased anxiety. Substance use in individuals with ADHD may affect attention by increasing the sense of pleasure rather than hyperactivity or impulsivity.