Differences in Prescription Stimulant Misuse Motives Across Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States

J Clin Psychiatry. 2020 Nov 3;81(6):20m13302. doi: 10.4088/JCP.20m13302.

Abstract

Objective: While prescription stimulant misuse (PSM) is common in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), PSM motives are poorly understood. This study examined a number of PSM motives across the AYA age spectrum using the 2015-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Methods: In all, 86,918 AYAs (aged 14-25 years) were included. Individual PSM motives (eg, to study) and motive categories (ie, cognitive enhancement only, recreational only, weight loss only, and combined motives) were examined by age. Logistic regression models examined links between individual motives or motive categories and educational status, substance use, DSM-IV substance use disorders (SUD), and mental health correlates.

Results: Significant differences were found across AYAs in cognitive enhancement only (14 years = 40.4%; 24 and 25 years = 71.2%; P < .0001) and recreational only (14 years = 25.8%; 24 and 25 years = 9.8%; P < .0001) or combined PSM motives, (14 years = 32.3%; 24 and 25 years = 18.0%; P = .008); college students and graduates had particularly high rates of cognitive enhancement only (college = 78.2%; graduates = 74.7%; non-college = 63.5%). Recreational-only and combined motives were significantly elevated in AYAs with any past-year SUD, especially to get high (78%-136% higher in those with SUD; P ≤ .001). While any PSM was associated with higher odds of SUD and mental health outcomes, including suicidal ideation, odds were highest for recreational or combined motives.

Conclusions: Cognitive enhancement with PSM occurs more often in young adults compared to adolescents, college students endorse more cognitive enhancement than those not in school, and the presence of any PSM in AYAs is linked to more substance use, suicidal ideation, and other psychopathology. PSM prevention in adolescents as well as screening and intervention among AYA is highly recommended.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants*
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Nootropic Agents*
  • Prescription Drug Misuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Recreational Drug Use / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Universities
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Nootropic Agents