Comorbid Conduct Disorder and Substance Use Disorders

Conduct disorder (CD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) commonly co-occur. The high rates of comorbidity, in conjunction with similar developmental trajectories for CD and SUDs, suggest a common etiology. Both disorders are heritable, indicating a common genetic influence. Research suggests that a developmental pathways approach to the etiology, correlates, comorbidities, prevention, and treatment of CD and SUDs may improve our understanding of these disorders. Research that examines the genetic, neurophysiological, behavioral, and environmental connections among the CD and SUDs is reviewed. Study of the causes of these two disorders, either singly or in combination, is essential to prevent their occurrence and ameliorate the associated negative outcomes.