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BACKGROUND Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have shown a positive association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and problematic alcohol use in adults. To what extent this association is explained by genetic and environmental factors is largely unknown. METHODS Data on ADHD and alcohol consumption were collected by self-report in 6024 adult Dutch twins. ADHD symptoms were assessed by three subscales of the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales - Self-Report: Screening Version (CAARS-S:SV): inattentiveness, hyperactivity and the ADHD index (ADHD-I). Problem drinking was defined as at least two self-reported alcohol-related problems on the CAGE questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was applied to the bivariate twin data to estimate genetic and environmental influences. RESULTS Heritability of ADHD symptoms ranged between 32% and 40% and heritability of problem drinking was 50%. The positive correlation between ADHD symptoms and problem drinking was confirmed in this general population sample, with phenotypic correlations between 0.20 and 0.28 and genetic correlations between 0.39 and 0.50. Phenotypic correlations are primarily (61-100%) explained by genetic influences with non-shared environmental influences explaining the remaining covariance. No significant quantitative or qualitative gender differences in covariance structure were found. CONCLUSIONS This study convincingly shows that ADHD symptoms and problem drinking are moderately but significantly correlated in adults and that genetic correlations are primarily underlying this association. This suggests that early interventions are required to prevent adolescents with ADHD from developing problematic levels of alcohol use. Furthermore, clinicians who treat alcohol-dependent patients should be aware that the patient may have a co-morbid condition of ADHD; integrated interventions are required.
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
December 2008,
Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies,
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
October 2016,
American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics,
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
November 2013,
Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany)),
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
August 2010,
The European respiratory journal,
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
May 2013,
Journal of attention disorders,
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
April 1982,
The American review of respiratory disease,
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
February 2008,
Genes, brain, and behavior,
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
August 2009,
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.),
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
January 2019,
International journal of obesity (2005),
E M Derks, and
J M Vink, and
G Willemsen, and
W van den Brink, and
D I Boomsma
July 2003,
Behavior genetics,
