Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by attention problems, deficient impulse control, and hyperactivity in childhood and persists through adulthood. Adult ADHD symptoms (ADHDs) are known to associate with comorbid psychiatric disorders, particularly substance/alcohol use (SA).

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ADHDs with SA among university students.

Among a total of 803 randomly selected students from two universities, regarding exclusion criteria 582 was remained and grouped into three groups due to the Turkish version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) cut-off scores, namely, highly likely (HLG), likely (LG) and without ADHD (WG), respectively. They were assessed through online close-ended questions and likert-typed data form related to substance use and CAGE, assessment for Alcohol abuse risk. Chi-square was used.

Using cigarette and substances, namely, cannabis, ecstasy, inhalants, benzodiazepine and without awareness of the individual were higher in the HLG than the WG. While hookah, energy drink use and CAGE were higher in HLG, only CAGE was significantly different than the WG. Moreover, the HLG reached substance more easily and reported more relative and friend users around them whereas WG reported more people without substance use.

Consistent with previous studies, students with severe ADHDs had higher rates of SA and negatively affect their lives. Also, since individuals with ADHDs have more risk of SA, they can have more access to potential other than WG. Therefore, clinicians should carefully assess ADHDs and take SA into consideration.