A standard screening tool for AD/HD that's used in the general population of adults also works well for diagnosing the disorder in adults who abuse drugs or alcohol, says a national drug abuse research group. The group recommends wider use of the tool, known as the Conners Adult AD/HD Rating Scale (CAARS).
Screening adult substance abusers for AD/HD is important because the disorder may contribute to the causes of substance abuse, or make treatment more difficult. Traditionally, substance abusers have been screened for AD/HD via an extensive clinical interview—a difficult and expensive process.
"Our study shows that better screening of substance abusers for AD/HD is possible," said Stephen Magura, the principal investigator, "with the payoff that AD/HD will be treated and recovery from addiction will be facilitated."
The recommendation, issued by researchers at the National Development & Research Institutes, in New York City, was described in the July 2006 issue of the journal Addictive Behaviors.
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