Event Title
Illicit Prescription Stimulant Use at Colby College
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 2:00 PM
Project Type
Poster
Description
Prescription stimulants, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, are used to treat the symptoms of attention disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD). These drugs help regulate behavior and control symptoms of poor focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. In recent years, non-prescription use of these stimulants in order to improve concentration has become prevalent on college campuses. We administered voluntary surveys addressing illicit stimulant use and other variables to Colby College Students. Our primary question was Does the illicit use of prescription stimulants correlate with higher GPA? We also aim to examine the prevalence of study drug use at Colby. Finally, is the illicit use of prescription stimulants associated with another variable, such as academic major, gender, athletic participation, or parents education level? We found that between 12% and 32% of Colby students use illicit stimulants for academic purposes. The data suggest that non-users have higher GPAs than users of illicit stimulants, which may imply that stimulant use does not confer an academic advantage. None of the variables listed above were identified as significant risk factors for stimulant use.
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Mathematics and Statistics Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
479
Illicit Prescription Stimulant Use at Colby College
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Prescription stimulants, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, are used to treat the symptoms of attention disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD). These drugs help regulate behavior and control symptoms of poor focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. In recent years, non-prescription use of these stimulants in order to improve concentration has become prevalent on college campuses. We administered voluntary surveys addressing illicit stimulant use and other variables to Colby College Students. Our primary question was Does the illicit use of prescription stimulants correlate with higher GPA? We also aim to examine the prevalence of study drug use at Colby. Finally, is the illicit use of prescription stimulants associated with another variable, such as academic major, gender, athletic participation, or parents education level? We found that between 12% and 32% of Colby students use illicit stimulants for academic purposes. The data suggest that non-users have higher GPAs than users of illicit stimulants, which may imply that stimulant use does not confer an academic advantage. None of the variables listed above were identified as significant risk factors for stimulant use.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/320