Can misusing a pill improve academic performance? Many college students misperceive that misusing prescription stimulant medication may improve grades and academic performance. In an effort to address this misperception, a recent study investigated the association between the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NPS) and a change in annual GPA (from Year 2 to Year 3 in college). Study participants included undergraduates not diagnosed with ADHD (n=898) that self-reported past-year misuse of prescription stimulants during their second and third year. Based on their responses, participants were categorized as: Abstainers (misused neither year; 68.8%), Initiators (misused Year 3 but not Year 2; 8.7%), Desisters (misused Year 2 but not Year 3; 5.8%), and Persisters (misused both years; 16.7%). Results indicated that after controlling for sex and Year 2 GPA, there was no significant association between NPS group membership and change in GPA. The average change in GPA was lowest for Persisters and Initiators, whereas Abstainers experienced a small but significant increase in GPA.
Take Away: This study concluded that while one cannot rule out the possibility that misusing prescription stimulants prevented declines in GPA, participants whom chose to misuse prescription stimulants showed no increase in their annual GPA. Campus prevention specialists may consider discussing in their prevention programs the increasing body of research demonstrating that misusing prescription stimulants does not improve grades or academic performance. Instead, encourage students to brainstorm and share healthy and sustainable habits for long-term academic and professional success.