Illicit methylphenidate use in an undergraduate student sample: prevalence and risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of illicit methylphenidate use among undergraduate college students at a large university, and to identify alcohol and other drug use behaviors, as well as the negative consequences and risk factors, associated with illicit methylphenidate use.


METHODS
Internet survey.


METHODS
Large public university.


METHODS
Thirty-five hundred randomly selected undergraduate students.


RESULTS
Of the 2250 students who completed the survey, 3% reported past-year illicit methylphenidate use. Illicit methylphenidate users were significantly more likely to use alcohol and drugs and report adverse alcohol- and drug-related consequences than prescription stimulant users or students who did not use stimulants. Undergraduate men and women were equally likely to report past-year illicit methylphenidate use. Weekly party behavior was significantly associated with past-year illicit methylphenidate use.


CONCLUSIONS
Illicit use of prescription-only stimulants on college campuses is a potentially serious public health issue. More work is needed to promote understanding and awareness of this problem among clinicians and researchers.
Teter
Christian J
CJ
College of Pharmacy, Substance Abuse Research Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1065, USA. cjteter@umich.edu
McCabe
Sean Esteban
SE
Boyd
Carol J
CJ
Guthrie
Sally K
SK
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D020407:Internet; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008774:Methylphenidate