Recreational Prescription Drug Use Among College Students

• Published in: Journal of student affairs research and practice Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 887 - 907
• Main Author: Kolek, Ethan A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 20-10-2009; NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
• Subjects: At Risk Persons; Cocaine; Drinking; Drug Abuse; Drug Therapy; Marijuana; Narcotics; Stimulants; Student Behavior; Student Characteristics; Substance Abuse; Surveys; Undergraduate Students
• ISSN: 1559-5455; 1949-6605
• DOI: 10.2202/1949-6605.5024

The purpose of this study was to explore recreational prescription drug use among undergraduate students. Although anecdotal accounts on this subject abound, empirical research is extremely limited. Data from a survey of a random sample of 734 students at a large public research university in the Northeast were examined. Results indicate that a substantial proportion of students reported having used prescription drugs for recreational purposes in the year prior to survey administration. Recreational prescription drug use was positively associated with the use of other substances including alcohol. Recreational prescription drug users were also more likely than other drug users to report negative consequences as a result of their drug use. Implications for future research and for student affairs are discussed.