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Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the symptoms of adult and childhood 'Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder' (ADHD) in patients with adult alcohol dependence, and to examine the socio-demographlc and clinical features of these subjects. Methods: The subjects included 54 patients that, after having been diagnosed with alcohol dependence, were in the process of treatment and that were being followed up as outpatients after the treatment. Patients were diagnosed with ADHD following the Turgay, Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Evaluation Scale Based on DSM-IV. Also, in order to scan the childhood ADHD symptoms, Wender Utah Rating Scale was administered. Results: After the individuals were classified into two groups according to the existence of ADHD, average age to start to consume alcohol (p<0.001) and average age to start regular alcohol consumption (p<0.01) were found significantly lower in ADHD-identified group compared to non-ADHD group. Again, the childhood ADHD scores of the individuals identified to have ADHD during adulthood determined via Wender Utah Rating Scale were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001). Conclusion: Severity of the childhood symptoms regarded to be among the factors that Indicate the perseverance of ADHD during adulthood accentuates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment during childhood in preventing alcohol and substance dependence considering whether treatment has been applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol dependence and mood disorders are two highly prevalent mental disorders with a great cost to people and community. The epidemiological and clinical studies highlight the association and higher lifetime comorbidity between these two disorders. However, the nature of this complicated relationship has not yet been understood. The most common problem arises in the assessment of current and past history related with these disorders. This comorbidity has a high significance for public health and clinical course of the patients making the diagnosis an important part of the treatment. The diagnostic confusion mostly base on the problems in diagnostic criteria, assessment techniques and complicated withdrawal and intoxication periods. In the treatment approaches, the most important point is to evaluate and treat patient looking through whole picture instead of focusing on which disorder is the primary disorder. The patients with dual diagnosis should be approached and treated for both disorders in the same time period. A synchronized treatment approach should be aimed to achieve and maintain the stability of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Negative attitudes towards alcohol and substance use and dependency are prevelant and detrimental on the treatment process of these disorders. Method: The relationship between the sociodemographic factors, personal and family history of alcohol-substance use and attitudes towards alcohol-substance use were investigated in this study. A sample of 425 undergraduate medical and nursing students in Gaziantep University were randomly recruited to the study. A questionnaire including items related with negative attitudes towards alcohol-substance use and dependency, was formed and psychometrically investigated. Results: Psychometric investigation finally revealed a scale of 21 items, with a Cronbach Alpha value of 0.871 and Guttman split-half reliability quefficient of 0.775. Although nursing and medical students did not differ in terms of negative attitudes, results suggest that level of stigmatizing attitudes of medical and nursing students can not be understimated. Students with higher level of income and students of higher classes had less negative attitudes. Personal and family history of alcohol-substance use was also found to be related with less negative attitudes. Conclusion: Although these results suggest that education is partially effective in reducing negative attitudes towards alcohol/drug dependence, educational programs in the curricula of medical and nursing education, aiming to decrease negative attitudes should be further developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]