Nonmedical prescription stimulant users experience subjective but not objective impairments in attention and impulsivity

Looby, Alison; Sant'Ana, Sarah June Kittleson

doi:10.1111/ajad.12718

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In terms of demographic measures, our results are in keeping with a large literature on the subject (Hartung et al, 2013; Ford et al, 2014; Looby and Sant'Ana, 2018; Poulin, 2007; Schepis et al, 2008; Wilens et al, 2008; Weyandt et al, 2009). Whether or not individuals are using nonmedical stimulants with the aim of improving their scholastic performance, these data suggest that this is an unsuccessful strategy.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The relatively high rates of stimulant misuse among university students have been attributed to various factors such as the desire for a “cognitive enhancer” to help with school work, to lose weight and look better physically, to improve alertness, the positive portrayal of stimulants on the Internet, and perception that stimulants assist in coping with psychological distress (Ford et al, 2014; Looby and Sant'Ana, 2018; Poulin, 2007; Schepis et al, 2008; Wilens et al, 2008; Weyandt et al, 2009). One study of college students found that 28.6% agreed or strongly agreed that the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants could help earn higher grades (Arria et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Grant

Redden

Lust

et al. 2018

Journal of Addiction Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:This study sought to examine the occurrence of the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate) in a university sample and their associated physical and mental health correlates, including potential relationships with risky sexual practices.Methods:A 156-item anonymous online survey was distributed via e-mail to a sample of 9449 university students. Current use of alcohol and drugs, psychological and physical status, and academic performance were assessed, along with questionnaire-based measures of impulsivity and compulsivity.Results:A total of 3421 participants (59.7% female) were included in the analysis. 6.7% of the sample reported current/recent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants, while an additional 5.8% reported misuse in the past. Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants was associated with lower grade point averages, and with taking a broad range of other drugs (including alcohol, nicotine, illicit substances, and consumption of caffeinated soft drinks). Nonmedical use of stimulants was also significantly associated with impulsivity (Barratt scale), prior treatment for substance use problems, and elevated occurrence of disordered gambling, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety; but not depression symptoms or binge-eating disorder (though it was associated with using drugs to lose weight). The relationship with probable attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on screening was not significant but was numerically elevated. Finally, those using nonmedical prescribed stimulants were significantly more sexually active (including at a younger age), and were less likely to use barrier contraception.Conclusions:Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants is common in young adults and has profound public health associations including with a profundity of other drug use (licit and illicit), certain mental health diagnoses (especially gambling, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder ), worse scholastic performance, and riskier sexual practices. The majority of people with nonmedical use of prescription stimulants do not have ADHD, and its link with current ADHD symptoms was less marked than for certain other disorders. Clinicians should screen for the misuse of prescription stimulants as they may be associated with a range of problematic behaviors. Risk of diversion (which may be higher for those living in shared accommodation and those with substance use disorder history) merits careful assessment before prescribing stimulant medication.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Grant

Redden

Lust

et al. 2018

Journal of Addiction Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Students who reported NMUPS also exhibited greater deficits on both subjective, self‐report measures and objective tests of neuropsychological functioning 11 . Others have also found increased inattention and impulsive symptoms among college students, 12 as well as lower academic performance 13 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Motivations for NMUPS among college students include improving grades, increasing productivity, staying alert or improving concentration, 3 and in some cases, self‐treating subthreshold or undiagnosed ADHD 10,12 . Fewer studies report on the behaviors surrounding the acquisition and administration of stimulants among students who misuse prescription stimulants and whether these behaviors differ among different subtypes of those who endorse NMUPS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disentangling the Social Context of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants in College Students

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the social context of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) among college students who endorsed NMUPS with co‐occurring substance use disorders (SUD) compared with those without co‐occurring SUDs. Methods Presented here are new analyses based on data previously collected from college students aged 18 to 28 years derived from the Boston metropolitan area who endorsed NMUPS (N = 100) at least once in their lifetime. Differences between those with lifetime history of SUD (N = 46) and without a history of SUD (N = 54) on the Massachusetts General Hospital ADHD Medication Misuse and Diversion Assessment were analyzed using the Student t test, the Pearson χ2 test, and the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Results College students who endorsed NMUPS with co‐occurring SUD were more likely than those without SUD to have bought or traded stimulants, bought or traded in their car, used at parties with drugs/alcohol, or used intranasally (all P < .05). Intranasal administration was common (38% of all students endorsing NMUPS) and was associated with misuse at a party and simultaneous use with cocaine (P = .04), marijuana (P < .001), and alcohol (P < .001), compared with only oral use. Discussion and Conclusions Notable characteristics were identified among individuals who engaged in NMUPS in the type, amount, cost, and ascertainment of stimulants. Scientific Significance The concurrence of SUD and/or intranasal administration appear to represent a more severe phenotype of NMUPS that should be considered in the implementation of future prevention and intervention protocols on college campuses. (Am J Addict 2020;29:476–484)

show abstract

Expectancy for Adderall influences subjective mood and drug effects regardless of concurrent caffeine ingestion: A randomized controlled trial

Looby,

Piccorelli,

Zimmerman

et al. 2023

Psychopharmacology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nonmedical prescription stimulant users experience subjective but not objective impairments in attention and impulsivity

Abstract: Understanding discrepancies in objective performance and subjective reports may aid in the development of effective interventions for nonmedical prescription stimulant use. (Am J Addict 2018;27:238-244).

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Disentangling the Social Context of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants in College Students

Expectancy for Adderall influences subjective mood and drug effects regardless of concurrent caffeine ingestion: A randomized controlled trial

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About