Pill-poppers and dopers: A comparison of non-medical prescription drug use and illicit/street drug use among college students

    Authors

    J. A. Ford;M. C. Arrastia

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Addict. Behav.

    Keywords

    college students; non-medical prescription drug use; Illicit/street drug; use; 4 HARVARD-SCHOOL; SUBSTANCE USE; NATIONAL-SURVEY; YOUNG ADULTHOOD; UNITED-STATES; INSURANCE STATUS; BINGE-DRINKING; MARIJUANA USE; ALCOHOL-USE; JUVENILE ARRESTEES; Psychology, Clinical; Substance Abuse

    Abstract

    Data from the 2001 College Alcohol Study, a national sample of U.S. college students, were used to conduct multinomial logistic regression analysis examining correlates of substance use. Students were divided into three groups based on their lifetime substance use: non-users, non-medical prescription drug use only, and illicit/street drug use only. The purpose of this analytic strategy was to examine the similarities/differences in the correlates of non-medical prescription drug use and illicit/street drug use. Findings indicate that race, age, C.P.A., sexual activity, health, binge drinking, marijuana use, social bonding and social learning measures are correlates of non-medical prescription drug use. Correlates of illicit/street drug use include gender, Hispanic ethnicity, sexual activity, binge drinking, marijuana use, social bonding and social learning measures. Finally, the focus of the paper is a comparison of students who report only non-medical prescription drug use to students who report only illicit/street drug use. Findings indicate that gender, race, marital status, sexual activity, marijuana use, and social bonding measures significantly distinguish illicit/street drug use from non-medical prescription drug use. Important implications, limitations, and future research needs were discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Addictive Behaviors

    Volume

    33

    Issue/Number

    7

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    934

    Last Page

    941

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000256561600007

    ISSN

    0306-4603

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