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Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wu, L-T; Pilowsky, DJ; Schlenger, WE; Galvin, DM
Published in: Drug Alcohol Depend
July 10, 2007

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in the prevalence and characteristics of misuse of methamphetamine (meth) and prescription stimulants were examined in a representative US sample of youths and young adults aged 16-25 (N=24,409). METHODS: Stimulant misusers were categorized into three mutually exclusive subgroups: meth users only, meth and prescription stimulant users, and prescription stimulant users only (e.g., Benzedrine, Ritalin, or Dexedrine). Multinominal logistic regression analyses identified the characteristics associated with misuse of meth and prescription stimulants. RESULTS: About 1 in 10 youths reported any misuse of stimulants in their lifetime. Prescription stimulant misuse occurred earlier and was more frequent than meth misuse. About 47% of meth misusers also reported prescription stimulant misuse. Among misusers of meth and prescription stimulants, males were more likely than females to misuse methylphenidate (82% versus 65%) but were less likely to misuse diet pills or amphetamines (37% versus 49%). Multinominal logistic regression analyses indicated that all subgroups of lifetime stimulant misuse were associated with past year substance abuse. The characteristics of meth misusers differed slightly from prescription stimulants misusers. CONCLUSIONS: Multidrug use is common among stimulant misusers. Parents should be informed about the risk of prescription stimulant misuse by their youths.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Drug Alcohol Depend

DOI

ISSN

0376-8716

Publication Date

July 10, 2007

Volume

89

Issue

2-3

Start / End Page

195 / 205

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Substance Abuse
  • Students
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Methylphenidate
  • Methamphetamine
  • Male
  • Incidence
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Wu, L.-T., Pilowsky, D. J., Schlenger, W. E., & Galvin, D. M. (2007). Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community. Drug Alcohol Depend, 89(2–3), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.12.020
Wu, Li-Tzy, Daniel J. Pilowsky, William E. Schlenger, and Deborah M. Galvin. “Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community.Drug Alcohol Depend 89, no. 2–3 (July 10, 2007): 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.12.020.
Wu L-T, Pilowsky DJ, Schlenger WE, Galvin DM. Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007 Jul 10;89(2–3):195–205.
Wu, Li-Tzy, et al. “Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community.Drug Alcohol Depend, vol. 89, no. 2–3, July 2007, pp. 195–205. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.12.020.
Wu L-T, Pilowsky DJ, Schlenger WE, Galvin DM. Misuse of methamphetamine and prescription stimulants among youths and young adults in the community. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2007 Jul 10;89(2–3):195–205.
Journal cover image

Published In

Drug Alcohol Depend

DOI

ISSN

0376-8716

Publication Date

July 10, 2007

Volume

89

Issue

2-3

Start / End Page

195 / 205

Location

Ireland

Related Subject Headings

  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Substance Abuse
  • Students
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Methylphenidate
  • Methamphetamine
  • Male
  • Incidence
  • Humans