Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants During College: Four-Year Trends in Exposure Opportunity, Use, Motives, and Sources

Abstract

Objective Examine trends in nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NPS), including motives, routes of administration, sources, cost, and risk factors. Participants 1,253 college students. Methods Data were collected annually during academic years 2004–5 through 2008–9. Generalized estimating equations analyses evaluated longitudinal trends. Logistic regression models evaluated stability of associations between risk factors and NPS over time. Results Almost two-thirds (61.8%wt) were offered prescription stimulants for nonmedical use by Year 4, and 31.0%wt used. Studying was the predominant motive (73.8 to 91.5% annually), intranasal administration was modest (<17% annually), and the most common source was a friend with a prescription (≥73.9% annually). Significant changes over time included: decreasing curiosity motives, increasing overuse of one’s own prescription, and increasing proportion paying $5+ per pill. Lower GPA and alcohol/cannabis use disorders were consistently associated with NPS, holding constant other factors. Conclusions Prevention opportunities exist for parents, physicians, and college administrators to reduce NPS.

Insufficient Sleep in Adolescents and Young Adults: An Update on Causes and Consequences

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Drug Use Patterns and Continuous Enrollment in College:Results From a Longitudinal Study

“…Another recent study of students at the same university estimated that 13% of students used cocaine at some point during their 4 years of college (Kasperski et al, 2011). Additionally, nonmedical use of prescription drugs, especially stimulants and analgesics, has received increasing attention recently, and the prevalence appears to vary signifi cantly among campuses (Arria and DuPont, 2010;Ford and Schroeder, 2008;Garnier-Dykstra et al, 2012;McCabe et al, 2007).…”

Adolescent Athletic Participation and Nonmedical Adderall Use: An Exploratory Analysis of a Performance-Enhancing Drug

“…Among the various prescription stimulants being used nonmedically by adolescents and college students, Adderall (amphetamine aspartate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, dextroamphetamine sulfate) is the most common (Arria et al, 2008a;Johnston et al, 2012c;Teter et al, 2006). Interestingly, the popularity of nonmedically using prescription stimulants among adolescents and young adults is not only to simply get high but also to help them concentrate and study (Arria et al, 2008a;Garnier-Dykstra et al, 2012;Johnston et al, 2012a;Teter et al, 2006). For instance, 49% of high school seniors who nonmedically used stimulants during the past year indicated that they used these medications to help them study, whereas 36% indicated using stimulants nonmedically to feel good or get high (Johnston et al, 2012a).…”