Pharmacological treatment of ADHD and comorbid SUD – improving treatment outcomes by combining research perspectives with clinical experience
Andrea Johansson Capusan, Christoffer Brynte, Bo SöderpalmLecture Hall 121 (ESA West)
Background
International consensus statements and current research stress the importance of ADHD treatment in patients with concomitant SUD [1, 2], recommending multimodal, integrated treatment, including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for both ADHD and SUD. ADHD medication in those with SUD is still controversial [1]. Both treatment access and treatment type vary widely across clinical sites. Treatment continuation in ADHD is in general low [3]. Adherence in those with comorbid SUD is still unclear.
Consensus statements and guidelines recommend long-acting stimulants with lower misuse potential as first line treatment [1], given the increased risk for medication misuse in those with ADHD and comorbid SUD [4]. There is however no evidence suggesting that stimulant treatment should increase SUD risk [5]. Somewhat higher stimulant doses may be necessary in this population [6, 7]. Improving treatment adherence and better understanding barriers to treatment access and continuation are necessary to improve clinical outcomes for this vulnerable patient group.
Objective
The speakers will present current research and clinical insights based on extensive experience from working with patients with ADHD and comorbid SUD, covering various aspects of pharmacological treatment of ADHD and SUD with relevance for improving clinical practice, including:
- Factors influencing treatment access and outcomes from a multicenter European study, (Brynte)
- How can we improve continuity of care and reduce treatment discontinuation in patients with ADHD and SUD taking patient and clinical site related factors into account (Capusan)
- Reaching to most vulnerable – prevalence of ADHD and comorbid SUD in the urban homeless population based on clinical survey data (Söderpalm)
Speakers are clinical scientists combining clinical experience and research in ADHD and SUD in three clinical and academic settings in Sweden, overarching a wide range of populations from socially vulnerable urban homeless people to smaller rural clinical settings, and national and multicenter data.
Workshop will include Q/A using mentimeter and discussion with participants moderated by chair and participants will be able to ask questions to the panel including all speakers at the end of the workshop.