Licit and illicit use of medications for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in undergraduate college students.
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.


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.
Advokat
Claire D
CD
Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. cadvoka@lsu.edu
Guidry
Devan
D
Martino
Leslie
L
D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants