Comparison of substance users under judicial supervision with controls in terms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and emotion regulation difficulties

INTRODUCTION: Substance abuse and addiction are reported to be approximately 2 times more common in individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compared to the general population. Adults with ADHD have been stated to have difficulties in emotion regulation as well as core symptoms of the disease. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate individuals who applied to a university hospital psychiatry clinic probation clinic in terms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and emotion regulation difficulties. The hypothesis of the study is that individuals who apply to the outpatient clinic will have higher ADHD symptoms and emotion regulation difficulties than healthy controls. METHODS: The research was conducted between 18.06.22-30.10.22. 135 male patients diagnosed with substance use disorder and 141 healthy volunteers without any psychiatric disease were included in the study. Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS), Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-16), and sociodemographic data form were administered to the participants. RESULTS: The probation group's ASRS total score, attention deficit and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale scores were found to be statistically significantly higher than the control group (p=0.004, p=0.005, p=0.007, respectively). Also DERS-16 impulse and nonacceptance subscale scores of the probation group were statistically significantly higher than the control group (p=0.001, p=0.015, respectively). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: ADHD and accompanying emotion regulation difficulties may increase the risk of substance use in adults. Considering these clinical features in individuals applying to the probation outpatient clinic may make therapeutic interventions more effective.