Background: The presence of ADHD has been linked to a 100% increase in a person's chance of developing a substance use disorder. The prevalence of childhood and adult ADHD in substance-abusing populations has been estimated to be three times higher than in the general population. In addiction centres ADHD is often unrecognized and untreated.
Aim: To describe the obstacles to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in addicts.
Method: Using a historical approach, we analysed the evolution of the diagnostic descriptions of the two disorders, giving attention to the influence of social change and scientific research.
Results: The two disorders have developed in remarkably similar ways; people have been and still are much inclined to make moral judgments about these disorders than about other psychic disorders. Neurobiological research has added a extra dimension to the debate on topics such as impulsivity, personal responsibility and free will.
Conclusion: It is only recently that ADHD has been recognised as having a place in addiction treatment and, as a result, there is a growing need for explanatory models.