Treating ADHD earlier helps stop young people from smoking, study finds
Early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD could help prevent young people from picking up smoking, per a new study.
Researchers have long known that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more likely to use nicotine and tobacco — putting them at higher risk for a host of diseases and increasing the likelihood that they may become addicted to drugs and alcohol. But early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD could help prevent young people from picking up the habit in the first place, according to a new study.
The study, published today in JAMA Network Open, found that young people with more symptoms of ADHD, like forgetfulness, inattention, and impulsivity, had “significantly higher” odds of using e-cigarettes, cigarettes, or other tobacco products during the nine years they were tracked. However, young people who had an ADHD diagnosis with low or no symptoms — both with and without medication — were no more likely than the general population to take up tobacco and nicotine.
The longitudinal cohort study looked at more than 13,572 people between ages 12-17, of whom 1,881 had an ADHD diagnosis.
“This study highlights the importance of monitoring and management of ADHD symptoms and the potential protective impact of effective treatment,” Sean McCabe, who co-authored the study and serves as the director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, said in an email. “Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death so preventing tobacco uptake at any age is a powerful game changer for anyone, including those with ADHD.”
