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Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and analgesics: associations with social and academic behaviors among college students
- Source :
- Journal of Drug Issues. Fall, 2008, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p1045, 16 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and analgesics was assessed from personal interviews with a stratified random sample of 1,253 first-year college students ages 17 to 20 attending a large public university (86% response rate). Lifetime and past-year prevalence of nonmedical use of stimulants, analgesics, or both was [19.6%.sub.wt] and [15.6%.sub.wt], respectively. Nonmedical users had significantly lower grade point averages (GPAs) in high school as compared with nonusers; in college they skipped classes more often, spent more time socializing, and spent less time studying. For example, nonmedical users of both stimulants and analgesics skipped 21% of their college classes whereas nonusers skipped 9%. Controlling for high school GPA and other factors, past-year nonmedical use independently predicted lower college GPA by the end of the first year of college; this effect was partially mediated by skipping more classes. Nonmedical users of prescription drugs comprise a high-risk group for academic problems in college.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00220426
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Journal of Drug Issues
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.194904231