Prescription Stimulant Use, Misuse, and Use Disorder Among US Adults Aged 18 to 64 Years
Abstract
Importance
Stimulants are increasingly prescribed for US adults. Whether such prescribing is associated with misuse and prescription stimulant use disorder (PSUD) is less understood.
Objectives
To examine (1) sex- and age-specific trends in the number of persons dispensed stimulants and trends in dispensed prescription stimulants by prescriber specialty in 2019 through 2022; (2) prevalence of misuse and PSUD by use of prescription amphetamine-type stimulants (hereafter referred to as amphetamines) and methylphenidate; and (3) PSUD prevalence and sociodemographic and behavioral health correlates among persons using prescription stimulants with and without prescription stimulant misuse.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This cross-sectional survey study used the 2019-2022 IQVIA Total Patient Tracker and National Prescription Audit New to Brand databases and the 2021-2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (community-dwelling 18- to 64-year-old individuals). Data analysis was performed from March to April 2024.
Exposure
Past-year use of prescription stimulants.
Main Outcomes and Measures
PSUD using DSM-5 criteria.
Results
Of the sampled 83 762 adults aged 18 to 64 years, 33.8% (unweighted) were aged 18 to 25 years, 53.0% (unweighted) were aged 26 to 49 years, and 56.0% (unweighted) were women. Among those using prescription stimulants, 25.3% (95% CI, 23.8%-26.8%) reported misuse, and 9.0% (95% CI, 8.0%-10.0%) had PSUD. Among those with PSUD, 72.9% (95% CI,…
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