Work

Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants and Analgesics: Associations with Social and Academic Behaviors among College Students

Year: 2008

Type: article

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 aged 17 to 20 attending a large public university (86% response rate). Lifetime and past-year prevalence of nonmedical use of stimulants and/or analgesics was 19.6%(wt) and 15.5%(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.

Source: Journal of Drug Issues

DOI: 10.1177/002204260803800406

Authors: Amelia M. Arria, Kevin E. O'Grady, Kimberly M. Caldeira, Kathryn B. Vincent, Eric D. Wish

Institution: University of Maryland, College Park

Language: English

Topic: Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse