Overview

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by clinically significant difficulties with attention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. Among children and adolescents, it is one of the most common conditions worldwide.

While originally thought to resolve by young adulthood, it is now recognised that ADHD often persists into adulthood, affecting between 2-6% of the population.

In Australia, it has been estimated that at least 800,000 people live with ADHD, including 281,200 children and adolescents and 533,300 adults.

The rate of psychiatric comorbidity among adults with ADHD has been estimated at three to seven times that of the general population. A 2022 systematic review found that the most frequent comorbid disorder among adults with ADHD was substance use disorder (SUD), followed by mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

This research brief explores diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, treatment considerations for people with co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorder, the risks of stimulant medication for people with SUD and practical resources for clinicians.