Prescription Stimulant Misuse, Alcohol Abuse, and Disordered Eating among College Students.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS), risky drinking, and drunkorexia are current public health concerns. The present study assessed the prevalence of MPS and drunkorexia using an online survey. Specifically, we examined alcohol consumption, the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index, Compensatory Eating and Behaviors in Response to Alcohol Consumption Scale and prescription stimulant use among college students (n=379, 273 female). Additionally, a structural equation modeling framework was used to assess the relationship between measures. MPS was significantly correlated with alcohol use, alcohol problems, and drunkorexia behaviors. MPS and aspects of drunkorexia predicted problems with alcohol. There is a need to emphasize the overlap between drunkorexia and MPS in substance use education and prevention efforts. Keywords: amphetamine; Adderall[c], drunkorexia; eating disorders; methylphenidate (Ritalin[c]); RAPT; CEBRACs ********** Binge drinking and unhealthy alcohol consumption are especially high among college students. Roughly 65% of students self-report alcohol consumption in the past month (White & Hingson, 2014). Approximately half of those who drink exhibit symptoms of alcohol use disorder [National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 20151. More than 40% of students report binge drinking, defined as consuming more than 5 drinks for males and 4 drinks for females in one sitting (Hingson, Heeren, & Winter, 2006; Hingson, 2010; NIAAA, 2015). The purpose of the present study is to predict problematic alcohol consumption associated with alcohol-event disordered eating, risky alcohol use, and the misuse of prescription stimulants among college students. A rising public health concern is the misuse of prescription stimulants, both alone and in combination with alcohol (Arria & DuPont, 2010; Kaloyanides, McCabe, Cranford, & Teter, 2007)alcohol, and other drugs among college students in the United States.\n\nDESIGN: Web-based survey of college students.\n\nSETTING: A large (full-time undergraduate population > 20,000. Misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS) is defined as any use of a prescription stimulant that does not correspond with the prescribed method. MPS can include using the drug without a prescription or using one's own prescription to excess (Benson, Flory, Humphreys, & Lee, 2015). MPS is initiated more than any other drug between the freshman and sophomore years (Arria et al, 2013). Since 2005, MPS-related emergency room visits have more than tripled for individuals ages 18-25 years (Bavarian, Flay, Ketcham, & Smit, 2013). By the end of their senior year of college, 4-38% of college students report MPS at least once (Arria et al., 2013; Bavarian et al., 2013; Gamier-Dykstra, Caldeira, Vincent, O'Grady, & Arria, 2012). Whereas, the most frequently reported reason for MPS is to improve academic performance, approximately 19% of college students report recreational use of prescription stimulants to get high, stay awake to party longer, or to enhance or prolong the effects of alcohol or other drugs (Bavarian et al, 2013; Benson et al, 2015; Egan, Reboussin, Blocker, Wolfson, & Sutfin, 2013; Garnier-Dykstra et al, 2012). College-aged students, especially female students, are also highly susceptible to disordered eating. It is estimated that as many as 91% of college women limit calories (diet) to control weight, with 22% dieting often or always (National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders, 2015). Anorexia and bulimia affect 4-25% of female and 4-15% of male college students (Eisenberg, Nicklett, Roeder, & Kirz, 2011; National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders, 2015). Eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia, are comorbid with alcohol use disorder at both clinical and subclinical levels (Dunn, Larimer, & Neighbors, 2002; Kelly-'Weeder, 2011; Krahn, 1991). …