Clinical/Public Health

Recreational Prescription Stimulant Use in Young Adults: Causes, Consequences, and Preventive Interventions

Thursday, November 3, 2022

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Presenter(s)

Ty S. Schepis, PhD

Professor
Texas State University
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Laura J. Holt, PhD

Charles A. Dana Research Associate Professor
Trinity College
Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut

Young adults have the highest rates of recreational prescription stimulant use, making them a key population of focus for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers. This presentation will examine differences in rates of recreational use among subgroups of young adults, their motives and sources for recreational use, and relationships with health consequences and other substance use. The presentation will close by highlighting some new and innovative interventions to prevent recreational prescription stimulant use and stimulant medication diversion in young adults.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the prevalence, predictors, and consequences of prescription stimulant misuse and diversion in college attending and non-college attending young adults.
Explain young adults’ motivations for prescription stimulant misuse and how they typically procure these medications.
Discuss examples of brief interventions aimed at preventing prescription stimulant misuse and diversion.