Influence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms on methadone treatment outcome

A review of 687 consecutive admissions to a Midwestern methadone maintenance program was undertaken to establish the prevalence of ADHD symptoms and their association with treatment outcome. Of the 687 admissions, 396 (58%) patients self-reported experiencing one or more ADHD symptoms during the two weeks prior to admission, and 131 (19%) patients reported ADHD symptoms that significantly interfered with functioning in daily activities. At nine months post-admission, the patients who reported significant symptoms of ADHD were able to reduce their drug use but were less likely to have achieved abstinence than those who did not report significant symptoms (p < or = 0.001). The authors discuss the importance of screening for ADHD symptoms in methadone treatment programs and propose interventions believed helpful in improving management of ADHD symptoms and improving outcome.