4.2 Article

Prescription stimulant use among young adult college students: Who uses, why, and what are the consequences?

Journal

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
Volume 69, Issue 7, Pages 767-774

Publisher

ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1706539

Keywords

college students; motives for use; prescription stimulants; stimulants; young adults

Funding

  1. National Cancer Institute [R01 CA179422-01, R01 CA215155-01A1, P30 CA138292]
  2. Fogarty International Center [1R01TW010664-01]

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The study found that 45.7% of college students using prescription stimulants did not have prescriptions or ADHD diagnoses, and these students were more likely to use for staying awake longer, having a more enjoyable time, and partying longer.
Objective: To examine prescription stimulant use among college students, particularly use with versus without prescriptions or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (attention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder (ADHD)) diagnoses. Participants: Data were drawn from a diverse sample of college students from seven colleges/universities in Georgia participating. Methods: Measures assessed ADHD-specific factors, prescription stimulant use, access, motives, side effects, and covariates. Results: Of the 219 students reporting prescription stimulant use (average age 20.72 years, 54.8% female, 82.1% White), 45.7% did not have prescriptions or ADHD diagnoses. Correlates of use without prescriptions/diagnoses included lower parental education, attending private school, not having depression- or anxiety-related diagnoses, and past 30-day marijuana and tobacco use. Those without prescriptions/diagnoses were more likely to use to stay awake longer, to have more enjoyable time, and to party longer; they also reported fewer adverse side effects. Conclusions: Campuses should educate students about ADHD, facilitate screening and treatment, and emphasize adverse consequences of recreational use.

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