Stimulant Diversion Risk Among College Students Treated for ADHD: Primary Care Provider Prevention Training

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Substance Misuse

Background:

• Stimulant misuse is a growing concern among college students.
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment often involves stimulant medication, increasing the risk of diversion.
• Primary care providers (PCPs) are well-positioned to address this issue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an evidence-based clinical practice intervention for PCPs.
• To reduce stimulant medication diversion among young adults with ADHD.
• To equip PCPs with strategies to mitigate diversion risks.

Main Methods:

• An educational workshop was delivered to PCPs and staff across six practices.
• The intervention targeted strategies for reducing stimulant diversion.
• Patient and provider surveys were used to assess pre- and post-intervention changes.

Main Results:

• Stimulant diversion rates were 16.7% at baseline and 14.9% post-intervention.
• Significant decreases were observed in the frequency of diversion approaches, intent to share/sell/trade stimulants, and disclosure of stimulant use.
• Providers reported high satisfaction with the training.

Conclusions:

• The PCP-delivered intervention shows initial promise in reducing stimulant diversion.
• Further research is recommended on direct interventions for college students, pharmacy collaborations, and adolescent misuse prevention.