Alcohol use disorders and ADHD

The potential of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A first look at therapeutic mechanisms of action

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders worldwide with high economic costs. Current treatment options show modest efficacy and relapse rates are high. Furthermore, there are increases in the treatment gap and few new medications have been approved in the past 20 years. Recently, psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide has garnered significant attention in the treatment of AUD. Yet, they require significant amounts of therapist input due to prolonged subjective effects (~4-12 h) leading to high costs and impeding implementation. Accordingly, there is an increasing interest in the rapid and short-acting psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). This paper offers a first look at potential therapeutic mechanisms for AUD by reviewing the current literature on 5-MeO-DMT. Primarily, 5-MeO-DMT is able to induce mystical experiences and ego-dissolution together with increases in psychological flexibility and mindfulness. This could decrease AUD symptoms through the alleviation of psychiatric mood-related comorbidities consistent with the negative reinforcement and self-medication paradigms. In addition, preliminary evidence indicates that 5-MeO-DMT modulates neural oscillations that might subserve ego-dissolution (increases in gamma), psychological flexibility and mindfulness (increases in theta), and the reorganization of executive control networks (increases in coherence across frequencies) that could improve emotion regulation and inhibition. Finally, animal studies show that 5-MeO-DMT is characterized by neuroplasticity, anti-inflammation, 5-HT2A receptor agonism, and downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 with clinical implications for AUD and psychiatric mood-related comorbidities. The paper concludes with several recommendations for future research to establish the purported therapeutic mechanisms of action.

AUD in perspective

Alcohol is a major cause of pre-mature death and individual suffering worldwide, and the importance of diagnosing and treating AUD cannot be overstated. Given the global burden and the high attributable factor of alcohol in a vast number of diseases, the need for additional interventions and the development of new medicines is considered a priority by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of today, AUD is severely under-treated with a treatment gap nearing 90%, strikingly higher than that for other psychiatric disorders. Patients often seek treatment late in the progress of the disease and even among those who seek treatment only a minority receive medication, mirroring the still-prevailing stigma of the disease, and a lack of access to effective treatments, as well as a reluctance to total abstinence. To increase adherence, treatment goals should focus not only on maintaining abstinence, but also on harm reduction and psychosocial functioning. A personalised approach to AUD treatment, with a holistic view, and tailored therapy has the potential to improve AUD treatment outcomes by targeting the heterogeneity in genetics and pathophysiology, as well as reason for, and reaction to drinking. Also, the psychiatric co-morbidity rates are high in AUD and dual diagnosis can worsen symptoms and influence treatment response and should be considered in the treatment strategies.

Association between RMTg Neuropeptide Genes and Negative Effect during Alcohol Withdrawal in Mice

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) frequently co-occur with negative mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, exacerbating relapse through dopaminergic dysfunction. Stress-related neuropeptides play a crucial role in AUD pathophysiology by modulating dopamine (DA) function. The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), which inhibits midbrain dopamine neurons and signals aversion, has been shown to increase ethanol consumption and negative emotional states during abstinence. Despite some stress-related neuropeptides acting through the RMTg to affect addiction behaviors, their specific roles in alcohol-induced contexts remain underexplored. This study utilized an intermittent voluntary drinking model in mice to induce negative effect behavior 24 h into ethanol (EtOH) abstinence (post-EtOH). It examined changes in pro-stress (Pnoc, Oxt, Npy) and anti-stress (Crf, Pomc, Avp, Orx, Pdyn) neuropeptide-coding genes and analyzed their correlations with aversive behaviors. We observed that adult male C57BL/6J mice displayed evident anxiety, anhedonia, and depression-like symptoms at 24 h post-EtOH. The laser-capture microdissection technique, coupled with or without retrograde tracing, was used to harvest total ventral tegmental area (VTA)-projecting neurons or the intact RMTg area. The findings revealed that post-EtOH consistently reduced Pnoc and Orx levels while elevating Crf levels in these neuronal populations. Notably, RMTg Pnoc and Npy levels counteracted ethanol consumption and depression severity, while Crf levels were indicative of the mice's anxiety levels. Together, these results underscore the potential role of stress-related neuropeptides in the RMTg in regulating the negative emotions related to AUDs, offering novel insights for future research.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms and parental cognitions: a meta-analysis

Introduction

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in adults interfere with parental functioning. Dysfunctional parental cognitions may play a role in this impairment. Despite the importance of parental cognitions on parents and children's outcomes, up to now, no systematic review or meta-analysis of these findings is available. To fill this gap, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between adult ADHD symptoms and parental cognitions.

Methods

We conducted searches in Web of Science, PubMed, and ProQuest from January 2000 to June 2023. Studies were included if they provided data on the relationship between parental ADHD symptoms and parental cognitions by means of a row correlational coefficient, or means and standard deviation were reported for each study group. A random-effects model was used. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and Rosenthal's fail-safe N. Moderator analyses were conducted by means of subgroup analysis and meta-regression analyses.

Results

Fifteen published papers were included (N = 2851), and 51 effect sizes were analysed. The weighted mean effect size was small but significant (Fisher's Z = 0.186, k = 15, 95% CI [0.120 - 0.252], z = 5.539, p < 0.001), indicating that ADHD symptoms in adults are associated with more negative and less positive parental cognitions. The Fail-Safe N analysis suggested a robust effect. Tweedie's trim and fill results suggested that five studies were missing; after five missing studies had been imputed, the mean overall effect size dropped to 0.116 (0.080 - 0.152). There was significant heterogeneity among effect sizes. The methodology of the study was found to be a significant moderator. Meta-regression analyses revealed that the lower age of the parent and the child were related to more negative parental cognitions.

Discussion

Though the analysis might be inflated by publication bias, our results suggest a significant association between ADHD symptom level and dysfunctional parental cognitions. Biased negative perceptions of the parental role, the child and co-parenting may play a central mediator role between parental ADHD and parent and child outcomes. Given the familiar nature of ADHD, targeting dysfunctional parental cognitions in parent training programs is warranted.

Systematic review registration

osf.io/pnur7.

Reducing Risk in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Adults With Comorbidities

Recent widely publicized shortages in the U.S. supply of first-line medications for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are thought to reflect increases in public awareness, help seeking, and treatment. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and is typically identified in childhood. In adulthood, ADHD symptoms are less likely to include hyperactivity, but inattention, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation are common. Clinical evaluation of symptomatic adults who were not diagnosed as children requires corroboration of ADHD diagnostic symptoms in childhood and careful differentiation of ADHD from frequently co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Treatment of adult ADHD can result in improved functioning across multiple dimensions and comorbid disorders. Existing guidelines and consensus statements recommend an integrated approach to treating ADHD and all existing comorbid disorders, prioritizing the disorder that is creating the most difficulty for the individual. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(1), 8-11.].

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Subsequent Harmful Behaviors Associated with Premature Mortality: A Selective Review and Future Directions

In the United States (U.S.), premature mortality in adulthood from suicide, alcohol-related disease, and substance overdoses has increased steadily over the past two decades. To better understand these trends, it is necessary to first examine the harmful behaviors that often precede these preventable deaths (i.e., suicidal ideation and attempts, and harmful alcohol and substance use). Representing critical developmental periods in which psychopathology is most likely to emerge, childhood and adolescence provide an informative lens through which to investigate susceptibility to harmful behaviors. This article synthesizes current evidence describing these rising U.S. mortality rates and the prevalence rates of harmful behaviors linked to these types of mortality. A brief selective review of longitudinal research on harmful behaviors in relation to the most relevant categories of child and adolescent psychopathology is then provided. Finally, recommendations for future research and implications for prevention are discussed.

Prevalence and Comorbidities of Adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder in a Community Sample from Korea

Objective

: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is prevalent in adults, and psychiatric comorbidities are common in adults with ADHD. We aimed to examine the prevalence of adult ADHD with several common psychiatric conditions in a community sample in Korea and the association between adult ADHD and risk of psychiatric comorbidities.

Methods

: This study used a cross-sectional survey design. We provided supplementary and optional self-report questionnaires, including the Korean version of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) short screening scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for screening for depression, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test alcohol consumption questions, and the Korean version of the Mood Disorders Questionnaire, to Korean adults who visited one of six centers of a large private healthcare company for the National General Health Examination.

Results

: A total of 17,799 subjects included in this study, and 430 (2.4%) were positive on the ASRS screen. ADHD was significantly associated with the 19-30-year-old age group (odds ratio [OR] = 3.938), lower income (OR = 1.298), depression (OR = 11.563), and bipolar disorder (OR = 3.162).

Conclusion

: Adult ADHD was highly associated with depression and bipolar disorder, suggesting that clinicians should carefully evaluate and treat such psychiatric disorders in adults with ADHD symptoms.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying NMDARs Dysfunction and Their Role in ADHD Pathogenesis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, although the aetiology of ADHD is not yet understood. One proposed theory for developing ADHD is N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) dysfunction. NMDARs are involved in regulating synaptic plasticity and memory function in the brain. Abnormal expression or polymorphism of some genes associated with ADHD results in NMDAR dysfunction. Correspondingly, NMDAR malfunction in animal models results in ADHD-like symptoms, such as impulsivity and hyperactivity. Currently, there are no drugs for ADHD that specifically target NMDARs. However, NMDAR-stabilizing drugs have shown promise in improving ADHD symptoms with fewer side effects than the currently most widely used psychostimulant in ADHD treatment, methylphenidate. In this review, we outline the molecular and genetic basis of NMDAR malfunction and how it affects the course of ADHD. We also present new therapeutic options related to treating ADHD by targeting NMDAR.

Psychoactive substance use in patients diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an exploratory study

Introduction

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was originally treated as a neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs mainly in children and tends to diminish or disappear with age, but we now know that symptoms persist into adulthood in over 50% of ADHD patients. Undiagnosed individuals often turn to psychoactive substance to minimize the negative aspects of functioning and improve quality of life.

Methods

The study was conducted online using random sampling through a Facebook group administered by physicians and targeted to patients diagnosed with ADHD. The study was naturalistic and exploratory, therefore no hypothesis was made. 438 correctly completed questionnaires were received. Analysis of the results showed that people with ADHD turn to psychoactive substances relatively frequently.

Results

The most commonly used stimulants include alcohol, marijuana, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamine/methamphetamine, and psilocybin. In the study population, methylphenidate is the most commonly used drug among patients. After treatment with psychostimulants, the majority of respondents note a decrease in symptoms of hyperactivity disorder, especially in male patients.

Conclusion

It is necessary to perform proper diagnostics and actively look for ADHD symptoms in patients who tend to use psychoactive substances.

A latent profile analysis of blackout drinking behavior among young adults

BACKGROUND

Blackout drinking, or alcohol-induced memory loss during a drinking occasion, is associated with additional negative alcohol-related outcomes. Brief motivational interventions targeting higher-risk alcohol use behavior have largely ignored blackout drinking. Including personalized information on blackout drinking could maximize intervention impact. To move toward incorporating content on blackout drinking in prevention and intervention materials, it is imperative to understand individual-level differences in blackout drinking. The current study aimed to identify latent profiles of young adults based on blackout drinking experiences and to examine person-level predictors and outcomes associated with profile membership.

METHOD

Participants were 542 young adults (ages 18-30) who reported 1+ past-year blackout episodes. Fifty-three percent of participants were female and 64% identified as non-Hispanic/Latinx white.

RESULTS

Four latent profiles were identified based on blackout drinking frequency, blackout intentions, blackout expectancies, and age of first blackout: Low-Risk Blackout (35% of the sample), Experimental Blackout (23%), At-Risk Blackout (16%), and High-Risk Blackout (26%). Profiles varied by demographic, personality, and cognition- and alcohol-related behaviors. Notably, At-Risk and High-Risk Blackout profiles had the highest alcohol use disorder risk, most memory lapses and cognitive concerns, and highest levels of impulsivity traits.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support the multifaceted nature of blackout drinking experiences and perceptions. Profiles were differentiated across person-level predictors and outcomes, which identify potential intervention targets and individuals at heightened alcohol-related risk. A more comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of blackout drinking characteristics may be useful for early detection and intervention of problematic alcohol use predictors and patterns among young adults.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity symptoms and risk of alcohol use relapse

AIM

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is frequently accompanied by comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Comorbid ADHD has been reported to increase the severity of AUD. We investigated whether ADHD severity also influences AUD relapse risk at baseline and after inpatient treatment.

METHODS

In this study, 187 AUD patients admitted to Narimasu Kosei Hospital from October 2019 to March 2021 were included in the analysis. According to the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), participants were divided into two groups: ASRS+ with ADHD characteristics (n = 43) and ASRS- with low/no ADHD characteristics (n = 144). Groups were compared for AUD relapse risk at the start of treatment (baseline) and before hospital discharge using the multidimensional Alcohol Relapse Risk Scale (ARRS). The change in relapse risk during hospitalization was also compared by assessment of the interaction between groups (ASRS+ vs. ASRS-) and time (at discharge vs. baseline).

RESULTS

The total ARRS score and dimension subscores for stimulus-induced vulnerability and emotionality problems were significantly higher in the ASRS+ group at baseline and before discharge compared to the ASRS- group. There was a significant group × time interaction indicating less improvement of stimulus-induced vulnerability during inpatient treatment among the ASRS+ group compared to the ASRS- group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that AUD patients with ADHD characteristics have a higher risk of relapse both at baseline and after inpatient treatment. Stimulus-induced vulnerability to relapse is less likely to improve with treatment in patients with ADHD characteristics.

Triple Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Coexisting Bipolar and Alcohol Use Disorders: Clinical Aspects and Pharmacological Treatments

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are common medical conditions often coexisting and exerting mutual influence on disease course and pharmacological treatment response. Each disorder, when considered separately, relies on different therapeutic approaches, making it crucial to detect the plausible association between them. Treating solely the emerging condition (e.g., alcoholism) and disregarding the patient's whole psychopathological ground often leads to treatment failure and relapse. Clinical experience and scientific evidence rather show that tailoring treatments for these three conditions considering their co-occurrence as a sole complex disorder yields more fulfilling and durable clinical outcomes. In light of the above considerations, the purpose of the present review is to critically discuss the pharmacological strategies in the personalized treatment of complex conditions defined by ADHD-bipolarityalcoholism coexistence.

Drinking alcohol to cope with hyperactive ADHD? Self-reports vs. continuous performance test in patients with ADHD and/or alcohol use disorder

Rationale

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Continuous performance tests (CPTs) allow to measure ADHD related deficits in a laboratory setting. Most studies on this topic focused on CPTs measuring inattention or impulsivity, disregarding hyperactivity as one of the core symptoms of ADHD.

Methods

We examined N = 47 in three groups (ADHD N = 19; AUD N = 16; ADHD + AUD N = 12) with questionnaires on ADHD core symptoms, executive functioning (EF), mind wandering, and quality of life (QoL). N = 46 (ADHD N = 16; AUD N = 16; ADHD + AUD N = 14) were examined with a CPT (QbTest^®) that also measures motor activity objectively.

Results

Inattention and impulsivity were significantly increased in AUD vs. ADHD and in AUD vs. ADHD + AUD. Hyperactivity was significantly higher in ADHD + AUD vs. ADHD and ADHD + AUD vs. AUD, but not in ADHD vs. AUD. EF was lower in both ADHD groups vs. AUD. Mind wandering was increased in both ADHD groups vs. AUD. QoL was significantly lower in ADHD + AUD compared to AUD. In contrast, results of the QbTest were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

Questionnaires are more useful in assessing ADHD core symptoms than the QbTest^®. Hyperactivity appears to be a relevant symptom in ADHD + AUD, suggesting a possible pathway from ADHD to AUD. The lower QoL in ADHD + AUD emphasizes the need for routine screening, diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies for this patient group.

Influence of ADHD, especially attention-deficit characteristics, on the course of alcohol-dependent individuals

BACKGROUND

While several studies have revealed that neurodevelopmental disorders have a high probability of overlapping with substance use disorders, the effects of neurodevelopmental disorders on the courses of substance use disorders have hardly been examined.

METHODS

This study targeted 637 alcohol-dependent individuals who received inpatient treatment and whose drinking situations were followed for 12 months after hospital discharge using mailed questionnaires. The comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and the characteristics associated with the neurodevelopmental disorders were assessed using several measurements at the time of hospital admission. The effects of neurodevelopmental disorders on the drinking courses of the subjects were then estimated.

RESULTS

The presence of a current depressive episode or any anxiety disorder significantly lowered the abstinence rates during the follow-up period (p = 0.0195 and p = 0.0214, respectively). ADHD traits as assessed using the ADHD Self-report Scale (ASRS) predicted a significantly poorer abstinence rate (p = 0.0296). Similarly, attention-deficit characteristics assessed objectively through interviews predicted a significantly lower abstinence rate (p = 0.0346), and a sensitivity analysis enhanced these results (p = 0.0019). When the drinking patterns were classified into three groups, the subjects with attention-deficit characteristics had a significantly higher rate of "Recurrence" and lower rates of "Abstinence" and "Controlled drinking" (p = 0.013). In a multivariate proportional hazards analysis, the ASRS score was significantly correlated with the re-drinking risk (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

ADHD traits had significant effects on not only abstinence rates, but also on drinking pattern. The presence of ADHD traits, especially attention-deficit characteristics, influenced the drinking courses of alcohol-dependent individuals after hospital treatment.

The orphan receptor GPR88 controls impulsivity and is a risk factor for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The neural orphan G protein coupled receptor GPR88 is predominant in the striatum and cortex of both rodents and humans, and considered a potential target for brain disorders. Previous studies have shown multiple behavioral phenotypes in Gpr88 knockout mice, and human genetic studies have reported association with psychosis. Here we tested the possibility that GPR88 contributes to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the mouse, we tested Gpr88 knockout mice in three behavioral paradigms, best translatable between rodents and humans, and found higher motor impulsivity and reduced attention together with the reported hyperactivity. Atomoxetine, a typical ADHD drug, reduced impulsivity in mutant mice. Conditional Gpr88 knockout mice in either D1R-type or D2R-type medium spiny neurons revealed distinct implications of the two receptor populations in waiting and stopping impulsivity. Thus, animal data demonstrate that deficient GPR88 activity causally promotes ADHD-like behaviors, and identify circuit mechanisms underlying GPR88-regulated impulsivity. In humans, we performed a family-based genetic study including 567 nuclear families with DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD. There was a minor association for SNP rs2036212 with diagnosis, treatment response and cognition. A stronger association was found for SNP rs2809817 upon patient stratification, suggesting that the T allele is a risk factor when prenatal stress is involved. Human data therefore identify GPR88 variants associated with the disease, and highlight a potential role of life trajectories to modulate GPR88 function. Overall, animal and human data concur to suggest that GPR88 signaling should be considered a key factor for diagnostic and treatment of ADHD.

Addictive and other mental disorders: a call for a standardized definition of dual disorders

The persistent difficulty in conceptualizing the relationship between addictive and other mental disorders stands out among the many challenges faced by the field of Psychiatry. The different philosophies and schools of thought about, and the sheer complexity of these highly prevalent clinical conditions make progress inherently difficult, not to mention the profusion of competing and sometimes contradictory terms that unnecessarily exacerbate the challenge. The lack of a standardized term adds confusion, fuels stigma, and contributes to a "wrong door syndrome" that captures the difficulty of not only diagnosing but also treating addictive and other mental disorders in an integrated manner. The World Association on Dual Disorders (WADD) proposes the adoption of the term "Dual Disorder" which, while still arbitrary, would help harmonize various clinical and research efforts by rallying around a single, more accurate, and less stigmatizing designation.

Comorbidity of adult ADHD and substance use disorder in a sample of inpatients bipolar disorder in Iran

BACKGROUNDS

The study of the relationship between adult Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder has received more attention in recent years and there is limited information in this area. On the other hand, there is a significant comorbidity between ADHD and bipolar disorder with substance use disorder. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of comorbidity of adult ADHD and substance use disorder among a group of bipolar patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

METHODS

One hundred fifty patients from a total of 200 consecutive patients who were referred to the emergency department of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, diagnosed with bipolar disorder based on the initial psychiatric interview and needed hospitalization, were evaluated again by an experienced faculty member psychiatrist by using a subsequent interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition(DSM-5). They were evaluated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) questionnaire to confirm the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the comorbidity of adult ADHD and substance use disorder.

RESULTS

From 150 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 106 patients (70.7%) had adult ADHD. 89 patients (59.3%) had substance use disorder and 58 patients (38.7%) had both of these comorbidities with bipolar disorder. Comorbidity of adult ADHD was associated with the earlier onset of the first mood episode in bipolar disorder (p value = 0.025). There was no statistically significant relationship between substance use disorder and age of onset of the first episode. (P value = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the limitations of studies on adult ADHD comorbidity with bipolar disorder, especially in hospital settings, as well as the increased risk of association with substance use disorder, further multicenter studies in this area with larger sample sizes can increase awareness in this regard.

The Impact of Alcohol-Induced Dysbiosis on Diseases and Disorders of the Central Nervous System

The human digestive tract contains a diverse and abundant microbiota that is important for health. Excessive alcohol use can disrupt the balance of these microbes (known as dysbiosis), leading to elevated blood endotoxin levels and systemic inflammation. Using QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) bioinformatics tool, we have confirmed that peripheral endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) mediates various cytokines to enhance the neuroinflammation signaling pathway. The literature has identified alcohol-mediated neuroinflammation as a possible risk factor for the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), and psychiatric disorders such as addiction to alcohol and other drugs. In this review, we discuss alcohol-use-induced dysbiosis in the gut and other body parts as a causal factor in the progression of Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases including neurodegenerative disease and possibly alcohol use disorder.

Stop What You're Doing!-An fMRI Study on Comparisons of Neural Subprocesses of Response Inhibition in ADHD and Alcohol Use Disorder

Rationale: Both attention deficit-/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are accompanied by deficits in response inhibition. Furthermore, the prevalence of comorbidity of ADHD and AUD is high. However, there is a lack of research on whether the same neuronal subprocesses of inhibition (i.e., interference inhibition, action withholding and action cancellation) exhibit deficits in both psychiatric disorders. Methods: We examined these three neural subprocesses of response inhibition in patient groups and healthy controls: non-medicated individuals with ADHD (ADHD; N = 16), recently detoxified and abstinent individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD; N = 15), and healthy controls (HC; N = 15). A hybrid response inhibition task covering interference inhibition, action withholding, and action cancellation was applied using a 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: Individuals with ADHD showed an overall stronger hypoactivation in attention related brain areas compared to AUD or HC during action withholding. Further, this hypoactivation was more accentuated during action cancellation. Individuals with AUD recruited a broader network, including the striatum, compared to HC during action withholding. During action cancellation, however, they showed hypoactivation in motor regions. Additionally, specific neural activation profiles regarding group and subprocess became apparent. Conclusions: Even though deficits in response inhibition are related to both ADHD and AUD, neural activation and recruited networks during response inhibition differ regarding both neuronal subprocesses and examined groups. While a replication of this study is needed in a larger sample, the results suggest that tasks have to be carefully selected when examining neural activation patterns of response inhibition either in research on various psychiatric disorders or transdiagnostic questions.