Prevalence and Correlates of Stimulant Medication Misuse Among the Collegiate Population

• Published in: Journal of college student psychotherapy Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 10 - 22
• Main Authors: Prosek, Elizabeth A., Giordano, Amanda L., Turner, Kori D., Bevly, Cynthia M., Reader, Emily A., LeBlanc, Yvette, Molina, Citlali E., Vera, Ryan A., Garber, Sage Ann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Routledge 02-01-2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Alertness; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; College students; Collegiate population; Correlation; Drug Abuse; Drug Therapy; Drugs; Incidence; Marijuana; Racing; Side effects; stimulant medication; Stimulants; Student Characteristics; Student Motivation; Student Surveys; Substance abuse; substance misuse; Undergraduate Students
• ISSN: 8756-8225; 1540-4730
• DOI: 10.1080/87568225.2017.1313691

Misuse of stimulant medication is pervasive among college students. In this study, we surveyed undergraduate college students (N = 3,038) at a large-sized Southwestern university. We examined unique characteristics of students misusing stimulant medication with a prescription (n = 74) and those misusing without a prescription (n = 356). Both groups reported being motivated to use for study enhancement purposes and increased alertness. They identified sleeplessness, racing heart, and racing thoughts as the most common side effects, and often used concurrently with alcohol and marijuana.