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

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

J Am Coll Health. 2020 Jan 16;:1-8

Authors: Fairman RT, Vu M, Haardörfer R, Windle M, Berg CJ

Abstract
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.

PMID: 31944915 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

via https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31944915?dopt=Abstract