U.S. Department of Education estimates that 11% of undergraduate students enrolled in colleges and universities across the United States have a disability. The American College Health Association uses a broader definition of disability and say more than half of students report one or more disabilities. Due to college students with disabilities being at a higher risk for substance use, the current study looks at illicit drug use in students with physical, cognitive, and other disabilities.
Data for this study was taken from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Participants were surveyed on demographics, self-rated health status, disabilities, illicit drug use, and illicit drug dependence and abuse. Disability was assessed by asking six questions surrounding hearing, eyesight, trouble concentrating and making decisions, difficulty bathing, and difficulty doing errands alone. Illicit drug use was assessed by asking participants if they use prescription drugs without a prescription, in greater amounts that told to take the drug, or in any way not directed by a doctor. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria was used to assess if participants met dependence or abuse criteria.
The final study included 6,189 students with 15.5% having a disability. The most common was cognitive impairment. Females were more likely to have a disability and odds of having a disability were lower among non-Hispanic black participants. Students with a disability reported higher levels of drug use at 40.2% and higher prevalence of marijuana and cocaine use. Overall, students with a disability had 28% higher odds of illicit drug use in the previous year. Those with a disability were also more likely to have an illicit drug dependence or present with abuse. These findings show college students with disabilities may be at a higher risk for drug use and disorders. Understanding more about the risk factors in this population is important for prevention and treatment for these students.
Take Away: Due to college students with disabilities being at a higher risk for substance use, the current study looks at illicit drug use in students with physical, cognitive, and other disabilities. Data for this study was taken from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Participants were surveyed on demographics, self-rated health status, disabilities, illicit drug use, and illicit drug dependence and abuse. The final study included 6,189 students with 15.5% having a disability. Overall, those students with a disability had 28% higher odds of illicit drug use in the previous year. Those with a disability were also more likely to have an illicit drug dependences or abuse. Understanding more about the risk factors in this population is important for prevention and treatment for these students.