Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Simultaneous Co-Ingestion of Prescription Stimulants, Alcohol and other Drugs: A Multi-Cohort National Study of U.S. Adolescents
How often do teenagers use stimulants with other substances?
Sean Esteban McCabe, Brady T. West, Ty S. Schepis, and Christian J. Teter
Summarized by:
November 30, 2022
study source
Human Psychopharmacology
Nov 5, 2014
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Stimulants are one of the most effective medications for ADHD.
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However, they are used non-medically by around 11% of high school seniors.
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When individuals use stimulants non-medically, research shows that they’re also more likely to ingest them with other substances.
A survey of American high school seniors found that 11% reported using stimulant medications non-medically. Among these, 64% reported trying it with another illicit substance. The most common substances tried were marijuana and alcohol.
Objective
Researchers wanted to see how often high seniors in the United States take stimulant medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, with other substances.
While stimulants are effective treatments for ADHD, they are also frequently abused and used non-medically. This is particularly concerning because stimulants have a high risk of dependency and potentially harmful side effects if not taken correctly.
Researchers in the study noted that the non-medical use of stimulants has been increasing in the United States.
The nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and stimulant use disorders are most prevalent among adolescents and young adults in the US, although these behaviors have increased across all age groups over the past two decades
Study Quote
To determine the past-year prevalence rates and correlates of simultaneous co-ingestion of prescription stimulants and other substances among U.S. high school seniors.
Methods
Researchers used data from a survey that represented a cross-section of US high school seniors.
The survey covered 12,431 students, around half of whom were women.
Study Quote
Nationally representative probability samples of U.S. high school seniors were surveyed as a part of the Monitoring the Future study. The sample consisted of five cohorts including a total of 12,431 high school seniors (modal age: 18 years), and represented a population that was 53% fema...
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Results
Around 11% of teenagers in the study reported using stimulant medications for non-medical purposes.
Around 64% of those who used stimulants non-medically had tried taking stimulants with another substance.
Around half had tried it with marijuana, and slightly less than half had tried it with alcohol.
Researchers found that those who take stimulants non-medically were most likely to take it with marijuana or alcohol. Hallucinogens and LSD were also commonly taken with stimulants.
Those that were taking stimulants with other substances were more likely to take stimulants with a method other than swallowing, such as snorting or injection.
They were more likely to report taking stimulants for fun.
Study Quote
Among past-year nonmedical users of prescription stimulants (n=835), the estimated prevalence of any past-year co-ingestion of prescription stimulants and other substances was 64.4%. The substances most commonly co-ingested with prescription stimulants included marijuana (51.1%) and alco...
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Conclusions
Based on this data, researchers concluded that individuals who take stimulants non-medically or not under the supervision of a medical professional were likely to try stimulants with another illicit substance.
This is particularly concerning because of the risks of using stimulants with other substances. Co-ingestion is also associated with other risky behaviors.
Nonmedical users who simultaneously co-ingest prescription stimulants and other drugs are significantly more likely than other nonmedical users and non-users to engage in problematic substance use behaviors.
This study provides valuable data to support screening young adults for stimulant and substance abuse. These individuals may benefit from treatment, education, and support to prevent further risky behavior.
Screening efforts to detect adolescents who co-ingest prescription stimulants and other drugs at an early stage would help identify a subgroup of individuals who may benefit from a more comprehensive substance abuse assessment and treatment.
Study Quote
The majority of past-year nonmedical users of prescription stimulants reported simultaneous co-ingestion of prescription stimulants and other substances. The findings indicate that co-ingestion of prescription stimulants and other substances is a pervasive behavior among U.S. adolescents...
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