The rising prevalence of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUS) and nicotine among community college students in the United States has become a significant public health concern. This issue is particularly relevant for students with ADHD symptoms, as they may use these substances for self-medication to improve focus and concentration. Although community college students are at a higher risk of chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and substance use compared to their counterparts at 4-year universities, existing research has predominantly focused on the 4-year university populations, leaving the specific risk factors and mechanisms underlying NMUS and nicotine use among community college students remaining underexplored. This study aims to assess the prevalence of NMUS and nicotine use among community college students and to investigate the demographic and psychosocial differences associated with their usage patterns.
This study targeted undergraduate students aged 18 and older enrolled in 10 community colleges in a southeastern state. Data were collected through a web-based survey that included questions on demographic information, mental health status, nicotine use, nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUS), and ADHD symptoms. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ² tests to examine differences between groups, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed to investigate variations in age, alcohol consumption, GPA, and ADHD symptom scores across the four groups.
The study found that approximately 9% of community college students reported engaging in nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUS) within the past year, while 24.6% reported nicotine use. A strong correlation was observed between NMUS and nicotine use, with alcohol consumption also closely associated with both. Individuals who used both substances were more likely to have a mental health diagnosis, live in urban areas, consume alcohol more frequently, and be male compared to those who used neither substance. Additionally, ADHD symptoms were higher among individuals using only NMUS or both NMUS and nicotine, compared to those using only nicotine or neither substance. This study identified significant demographic and psychosocial differences between groups, highlighting that students with mental health diagnoses or ADHD symptoms are at a heightened risk of engaging in NMUS and nicotine use. The study underscores the need to expand access to affordable mental health services and evidence-based community college interventions to address these risks effectively.
Takeaway: Enhancing mental health support in community colleges may be beneficial, considering the notable link between NMUS, nicotine use, and the increased risks observed among students with ADHD and mental health concerns.