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

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2017-01, Vol.47 (1), p.80-89
• Main Authors: Butwicka, Agnieszka, Långström, Niklas, Larsson, Henrik, Lundström, Sebastian, Serlachius, Eva, Almqvist, Catarina, Frisén, Louise, Lichtenstein, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addiction; Addictive Behavior; ADHD; Adolescents; Ambiguity; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - genetics; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism; Autism spectrum disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder - genetics; Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology; Autistic children; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child; Child and School Psychology; Cohort analysis; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Comparative Analysis; Complications and side effects; Disability; Female; Foreign Countries; Humans; ICD; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Learning disabilities; Liability; Longitudinal Studies; Male; MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES; MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP; Multivariate Analysis; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Parents - psychology; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Population studies; Psychiatry; Psychology; Psykiatri; Psykologi; Public Health; Registers; Registries; Relatives; Risk; Risk Factors; Siblings; Siblings - psychology; Statistical Analysis; Substance Abuse; Substance-Related Disorders - genetics; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Sweden
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2914-2

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.