The Comparison of Addiction Readiness Components among Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Normal Peers

The present study aimed to compare addiction readiness components among adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and normal peers.

This research was a descriptive, causal-comparative study. The statistical population consisted of all male high school students aged 13 to 18 years in the city of Tabriz in the academic year of 2022-2023. A sample of 97 people (49 students with ADHD and 50 normal students) were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected through the questionnaire for identifying people at risk of addiction. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance test.

The results showed that adolescents with ADHD scored higher on the total addiction readiness and its components, including depression and helplessness, positive attitude toward substance, anxiety and fear of others, and high sensation seeking, than normal adolescents.

It can be concluded that the presence of ADHD symptoms increases the addiction readiness context and level in adolescents and makes them vulnerable to addiction.