Increased Risk for Substance Use-Related Problems in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Population-Based Cohort Study

• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2914-2
• Publication Date: 2016-10-12T08:23:24Z
• Authors: Agnieszka Butwicka; Niklas Långström; Henrik Larsson; Sebastian Lundström; Eva Serlachius; Catarina Almqvist; Louise Frisén; Paul Lichtenstein
• Keywords: Male; Parents; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Substance-Related Disorders; Intellectual disability; Addiction; Medical and Health Sciences; Cohort Studies; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk Factors; Developmental and Educational Psychology; ADHD; Humans; Registries; Autism spectrum disorder; Child; Sweden; Original Paper; ICD; Siblings; 300; 3. Good health; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Female

Despite limited and ambiguous empirical data, substance use-related problems have been assumed to be rare among patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Using Swedish population-based registers we identified 26,986 individuals diagnosed with ASD during 1973-2009, and their 96,557 non-ASD relatives. ASD, without diagnosed comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or intellectual disability, was related to a doubled risk of substance use-related problems. The risk of substance use-related problems was the highest among individuals with ASD and ADHD. Further, risks of substance use-related problems were increased among full siblings of ASD probands, half-siblings and parents. We conclude that ASD is a risk factor for substance use-related problems. The elevated risks among relatives of probands with ASD suggest shared familial (genetic and/or shared environmental) liability.