Persistent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants among college students: possible association with ADHD symptoms.

Authors :: Arria AM
Garnier-Dykstra LM
Caldeira KM
Vincent KB
O'Grady KE
Wish ED
Source :: Journal of attention disorders [J Atten Disord] 2011 Jul; Vol. 15 (5), pp. 347-56. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 May 19.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: Objective: To investigate the possible association between untreated ADHD symptoms (as measured by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) and persistent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants.<br />Method: Multinomial regression modeling was used to compare ADHD symptoms among three groups of college students enrolled in a longitudinal study over 4 years: (1) persistent nonmedical users of prescription stimulants, (2) persistent users of marijuana who did not use prescription stimulants nonmedically, and (3) consistent nonusers of drugs.<br />Results: ADHD symptoms were associated with being a persistent nonmedical user of prescription stimulants after adjustment for race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and other illicit drug use. No associations were observed between ADHD symptoms and being a persistent marijuana user or nonuser.<br />Conclusion: ADHD symptoms, and in particular inattention symptoms, appeared to be associated with nonmedical use of prescription stimulants.<br /> (© 2011 SAGE Publications)

Subjects :: Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity complications
Central Nervous System Stimulants therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Students psychology
Substance-Related Disorders complications
United States
Universities statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity psychology
Central Nervous System Stimulants adverse effects
Substance-Related Disorders psychology

Full Text Access

Tools