title: Simultaneous use of non-medical ADHD prescription stimulants and alcohol among undergraduate students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of prescription stimulants used to treat Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for reasons other than prescribed, known as non-medical use, is a growing problem among undergraduates. Previous studies show that non-medical prescription stimulant (NMPS) users consume more alcohol than individuals who do not use NMPS. However, research on simultaneous use of NMPS and alcohol is limited. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of simultaneous use of alcohol and NMPS; (2) examine predictors and consequences of simultaneous NMPS and alcohol use among undergraduates.
  
  
  METHODS
  In fall 2009, 4090 students from eight North Carolina universities completed a web-based survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Past year prevalence of NMPS use among this sample was 10.6% and simultaneous use of NMPS with alcohol was 4.9%. Among NMPS users, 46.4% used NMPS simultaneously with alcohol within the past year. Multivariable analysis revealed that simultaneous NMPS and alcohol use was associated with low grade point averages, use of other substances, and increased alcohol-related consequences. Simultaneous NMPS and alcohol users reported experiencing significantly more negative consequences than either past year drinkers who did not use prescription stimulants and concurrent NMPS and alcohol users (use over the past year but not at the same time).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous use of NMPS and alcohol is high among NMPS users in our sample of undergraduate students. Simultaneous users are at increased risk of experiencing negative consequences. Thus, prevention and intervention efforts should include a focus on simultaneous NMPS and alcohol use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States. kegan@wakehealth.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Reboussin
authors.forename: Jill N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Blocker
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolfson
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sutfin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants