Treatment of ADHD in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

Pharmacological Management

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine or methadone as the foundation of OUD treatment, which can be combined with pharmacotherapy for ADHD 3, 4, 5

Behavioral and Psychosocial Interventions

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests providing evidence-based treatments for OUD, including medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapies, which can be used in conjunction with treatments for ADHD 3, 4
• Coordinated care between addiction specialists and mental health providers is recommended for patients with comorbid ADHD and OUD 4, 5

Special Considerations

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends stabilizing OUD first with medication-assisted treatment before addressing ADHD symptoms, and considering the risk-benefit ratio of stimulant medications 4, 5

Treatment Algorithm

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends stabilizing OUD with evidence-based medication-assisted treatment, followed by initiation of ADHD treatment and provision of concurrent behavioral therapies for both conditions 4