Open Label Pilot Study of Atomoxetine in Adults With ADHD and Substance Use Disorder

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this 10-week, open-label trial was to evaluate the potential utility of atomoxetine for improving attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance craving in abstinent adults with ADHD who were being treated at a residential treatment facility. METHODS: Eighteen adults were treated with atomoxetine (25-120 mg/day) for up to 10 weeks. Researchers assessed ADHD symptoms with the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) and substance cravings with the Brief Substance Craving Scale (BSCS). Paired t-tests were used to assess changes in symptoms and craving. RESULTS: Among the 12 participants who completed at least 2 weeks of treatment, mean total AISRS scores improved (43.2 +/- SD 7.4 to 25.8 +/- SD 14.4, t = 5.0, p .001). Participants also reported improvement in some measures of cravings. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide preliminarily support for the utility of atomoxetine in abstinent adults with co-occurring ADHD and substance use disorder. (Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 6:196-207, 2010).