Illicit Methylphenidate Use in an Undergraduate Student Sample: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Study Objectives.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.Design.Internet survey.Setting.Large public university.Subjects.Thirty-five hundred randomly selected undergraduate students.Measurements and Main 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.Conclusion.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.