United States trends in non‐prescribed use of Adderall and Ritalin: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study estimates from 2013 to 2022
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Dispensing of prescription stimulants to adults has risen dramatically over the past decade. Examining trends in nonprescribed use of prescription stimulants can inform public health responses. Most studies in the United States (U.S.) have faced challenges in assessing trends over time due to changes in survey methodologies and variation in populations assessed. We examined data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study to assess changes in nonprescribed use of prescription stimulants in the U.S. from 2013 to 2022. Design The PATH Study is an ongoing longitudinal study of U.S. youth and adults, representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Repeated cross‐sectional estimates at each wave were used (8 total waves). Trends from Wave (W) 1 (September 2013–December 2014) to W7 (January 2022–April 2023) were assessed. Full‐sample and replicate weights were used; joinpoint analyses and wave‐to‐wave comparisons were applied to test trends. Setting Civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. youth and adults. Participants/Cases Youth aged 12–17 and adults aged 18 + were assessed, with a total of 45 727 participants at wave 1 (Ns vary by wave). Measurements Past 12‐month (P12M) prevalence of nonprescribed use of Ritalin or Adderall was assessed. Nonprescribed use of stimulants was assessed across subgroups according to age (12–17, 18–24, 25–39, ≥40) and sex (male, female). Findings While wave‐to‐wave comparisons showed…
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