Christian J Teter1, Christopher G DiRaimo1, Brady T West2, Ty S Schepis3, Sean Esteban McCabe4. 1. College of Pharmacy, University of New England, Portland, ME, USA. 2. Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, MI, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA. 4. University of Michigan Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, School of Nursing, and Institute of Research on Women and Gender, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Mixed findings exist regarding extent and efficacy of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) for study enhancement (SE). This national study of US high school seniors examined NMUPS for SE and addressed risk/benefit questions: To what extent are students reporting NMUPS specifically for SE, and do these individuals demonstrate fewer problem behaviors and superior academic performance? METHOD: Total of 15 098 US students surveyed (2009-2015) and divided into 4 subgroups: (1) no past-year NMUPS (nonusers), (2) past-year NMUPS to help study (NMUPS-SE only), (3) past-year NMUPS for study/nonstudy motives (NMUPS-SE+ other), and (4) past-year NMUPS for nonstudy motives (NMUPS-nonSE only). Student characteristics (eg, grade point average [GPA]) and substance-related problems (eg, binge drinking) compared between subgroups. RESULTS: Among students who reported past-year NMUPS (n = 781), 7.4% reported NMUPS-SE only, 40.9% NMUPS-SE+ other, and 51.7% NMUPS-nonSE only. Odds of binge drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana, and opioid nonmedical use significantly higher among all NMUPS subgroups. GPAs significantly lower among subgroups reporting NMUPS nonstudy motives; did not differ between NMUPS-SE only and nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: 7% of US high school seniors engaged in NMUPS for SE only (0.4% total population). Findings indicate greater substance-related problems without superior academic performance among NMUPS-SE subgroups.
OBJECTIVE: Mixed findings exist regarding extent and efficacy of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) for study enhancement (SE). This national study of US high school seniors examined NMUPS for SE and addressed risk/benefit questions: To what extent are students reporting NMUPS specifically for SE, and do these individuals demonstrate fewer problem behaviors and superior academic performance? METHOD: Total of 15 098 US students surveyed (2009-2015) and divided into 4 subgroups: (1) no past-year NMUPS (nonusers), (2) past-year NMUPS to help study (NMUPS-SE only), (3) past-year NMUPS for study/nonstudy motives (NMUPS-SE+ other), and (4) past-year NMUPS for nonstudy motives (NMUPS-nonSE only). Student characteristics (eg, grade point average [GPA]) and substance-related problems (eg, binge drinking) compared between subgroups. RESULTS: Among students who reported past-year NMUPS (n = 781), 7.4% reported NMUPS-SE only, 40.9% NMUPS-SE+ other, and 51.7% NMUPS-nonSE only. Odds of binge drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana, and opioid nonmedical use significantly higher among all NMUPS subgroups. GPAs significantly lower among subgroups reporting NMUPS nonstudy motives; did not differ between NMUPS-SE only and nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: 7% of US high school seniors engaged in NMUPS for SE only (0.4% total population). Findings indicate greater substance-related problems without superior academic performance among NMUPS-SE subgroups.
Entities:
Keywords:
enhancement; nonmedical; prescription stimulant; students; study
Authors: Timothy E Wilens; MaryKate Martelon; Amy Yule; Tamar A Kaminski; Colin Burke; Ty S Schepis; Sean E McCabe Journal: Am J Addict Date: 2020-05-20