Licit and illicit use of medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in undergraduate college students
Claire D Advokat1, Devan Guidry, Leslie Martino
1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. cadvoka@lsu.edu
Objective:
The authors studied the relationship between a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), grade point average (GPA), and licit and illicit drug use.
Participants And Methods:
They obtained survey data from a convenience sample of undergraduates in a large southern public university.
Results:
Among 1,550 respondents, 163 (10.5%) reported an ADHD diagnosis (ADHD Group). Of those without an ADHD diagnosis, 591 (43%) reported using prescription stimulants illicitly (No ADHD, Illicit Use group), and 794 (57%) reported not using prescription drugs illicitly (No ADHD, No Illicit Use group). The GPA of the ADHD group was significantly lower than the GPA of the other 2 groups. The ADHD group and the No ADHD, Illicit Use group reported significantly greater use of all other drugs than did the No ADHD, No Illicit Use group.
Conclusions:
Drug use was associated with a lower GPA in ADHD-diagnosed students than in students without ADHD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids


