Students who misuse prescription drugs risk mental health, academic challenges, OSU study finds

(KTVZ, August 17) College students who misuse prescription stimulants or opioids often experience negative mental health and academic outcomes, even if they don’t use other illicit drugs, a recent Oregon State University study found.

In this case, “misuse” means using a prescription that was not prescribed to that student.

Compared with college students who abstain from illicit drug use altogether, students who misuse prescription stimulants or opioids are more likely to report negative outcomes in measures of anxiety, depression, academic difficulty and chronic pain, as well as higher rates of cannabis, nicotine and heavy alcohol use, the study found.

While these findings may not be surprising, lead author David Kerr said they help demonstrate that misuse of prescription drugs falls on a broader spectrum of drug use. Read more.