An exploratory study of substance use and misuse among college students with and without ADHD and other disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated potential differences between college students with and without disabilities (including ADHD, Asperger's syndrome, executive functioning disorder, and learning, mental health, vision, hearing, and physical/chronic disabilities) regarding self-reported substance use and misuse, perceived stress, and sensation seeking.


METHODS
Students responded to a Stimulant Survey Questionnaire (SSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS), and items from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA).


RESULTS
The hypotheses were part supported as MANOVA results revealed that students with disabilities provided significantly lower ratings on the SSS and also reported lower alcohol and marijuana use. Students with ADHD were more likely to use or misuse prescription stimulant medication but were less likely to use alcohol than did students without ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
Students with disabilities compared to those without disabilities differed on levels of sensation seeking and alcohol and marijuana use.
Janusis
Grace M
GM
University of Rhode Island, RI, USA. gracey81@gmail.com
Weyandt
Lisa L
LL
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants