(P26-021-24) Illicit ADHD Medication Use Associated With Alcohol and Caffeine Consumption

Objectives: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder stimulant medications are used illicitly by undergraduate students to enhance academic performance, manage their weight, or experience euphoria. However, the misuse of ADHD medications may alter brain chemistry, produce a positive reinforcer encouraging unhealthy behaviors, which increases the susceptibility to misusing other substances. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between illicit ADHD medication use with alcohol and caffeine use.

Methods: A total of 1,356 responses were collected through an anonymous online survey distributed via Google Forms. The survey evaluated self-reported ADHD medication usage and lifestyle factors, including nutritional patterns. The data was analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in SPSS version 28.0.

Results: The results reveal that illicit ADHD medication use is positively correlated with caffeine use (p < 0.05). However, there is a negative correlation between prescribed Adderall use and caffeine intake (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was noted (p < 0.01) between illicit Adderall usage and the consumption of five or more alcoholic beverages a day. These results were further supported by a negative correlation between illicit Adderall usage and no alcohol consumption for 30 days (p < 0.01). A positive correlation between illicit ADHD medicine use for weight management reasons and caffeine consumption for skipping meals was detected (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Adderall causes a decrease in appetite, which may increase its illicit abuse for weight management reasons, as detected in the results. Adderall and caffeine are both central nervous system stimulants, therefore, a cross-tolerance and the desire to boost stimulation may explain this link. The negative effect of binge-drinking on the central nervous system may encourage the illicit Adderall use to reduce the perceived alcohol intoxication and may result in a cyclic relationship between the two substances.

Funding Sources: Binghamton University