Effects of therapy of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the childhood with α-methylphenidate (MPH) on addiction diseases and psychiatric comorbidity

35 patients (>16, IQ >85) being treated because of ADHD from 1972–1989 (19 treated with MPH, 16 not treated with MPH) were now investigated with respect to abuse/addiction and other psychiatric disorders by structured interviews, self rating scales, physical, laboratory investigations. The patient’s age at the time of the follow up examination was 19,5 (±3,1 SD, MPH group) and 23,0 (±5,3 SD, controls). No difference between both groups could be found in the amount of comorbid conduct disorder, developmental delay or abnormal psychosocial circumstances in the childhood, but in the adult significantly less affective (F.3), neurotic (F.4) and personality disorders (F.6) were found in the MPH group. Both groups showed a high number of nicotine dependent subjects (63,2% MPH-group vs. 50% controls, n.s.), a rather lower amount of alcohol dependence(5,3% vs. 6,3%) and also no difference in the amount of dependence on cannabis or psychostimulans. Conclusion: Until now no significant difference of the amount of addiction diseases could be found between the MPH- and not- MPH treated group, but less psychiatric comorbidity in the MPH-treated group.