Managing ADHD in the presence of substance use disorders

ADHD is a highly comorbid disorder in patients with substance use disorders (SUD). This comorbid patient population is, however, often undertreated. Diagnosing ADHD in patients with SUD is not easy due to the large overlap of the ADHD characteristics with symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal.

These patients often disappear prematurely from the treatment services, on the one hand because their untreated ADHD symptoms make it more difficult to follow the therapy, on the other hand because the treatment programs do not take their limitations into account. Caregivers expressed a great need for concrete tools to work with these patients. Therefore, “Managing ADHD in the presence of substance use disorders” consists of a theoretical and a practical part. The different aspects of the treatment are described from various therapeutic perspectives, and elaborated in ten modules with downloadable worksheets.

“This is a practical and insightful book that I highly recommend to both novice and experienced clinicians alike.” Frances R. Levin, MD PhD, Columbia University Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute

“For the first time clinical and scientific knowledge is summarized and integrated in a handsome format. In addition, this book can be used by clinicians and patients in the context of psychoeducation and as a shared decision making aid.” Wim van den Brink, MD PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam

Frieda Matthys, MD, PhD, psychiatrist, is head of department at UZ Brussel and professor psychiatry at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. She was the president of the Association for Alcohol and other Drug problems and of the Flemish association of psychiatry.

Annelien Bronckaerts, psychologist, is associated with the EVO – Expertise Center for Developmental Disorders at UZ Brussel.

Cleo L. Crunelle, PhD, is a post-doctoral researcher at the department of psychiatry at UZ Brussel.