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Energy Drink Use Motivations among Prescription Stimulant Misusers
METHODS: Students (N=355) from a large Midwestern university were surveyed on their usage patterns of EDs, Rx-stimulants, and motivations for using EDs. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between ED use motivations and the misuse of Rx-stimulants.
RESULTS: Among the ED use group (n=212), Rx-stimulant misusers (n=53) had higher motivations for using EDs compared to students who used EDs-only. Results of the frequency distribution(%) and odds ratio(OR)/95% confidence interval(95%CI) comparing Rx-stimulant misusers to students who used EDs-only for each motivation variable are as follows: to help me study [Rx-stim=83.0% vs EDs-only=67.3%; OR=2.38; 95%CI=(1.08, 5.23)], to increase mental performance [Rx-stim=58.5% vs EDs-only=47.8%; OR=1.54; 95%CI=(.82, 2.89)], to improve physical or athletic performance (Rx-stim=24.5% vs EDs-only=27.0%), to feel better the morning after drinking alcohol [Rx-stim=35.8% vs EDs-only=17.6%; OR=2.61; 95%CI=(1.31, 5.23)], and to stay awake so I can party longer [Rx-stim=41.5% vs EDs-only=16.4%; OR=3.63; 95%CI=1.82, 7.23)].
CONCLUSIONS: Motivations for using EDs were significantly higher among Rx-stimulant misusers compared to college students who consumed EDs-only. Health educators and prevention specialists should continue to focus on motivations for using EDs and Rx-stimulants to improve prevention programs.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programsPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe associations between energy drink use and prescription stimulant misuse.
Discuss how existing education and prevention programs may be improved by focusing on students reasons and motivations for using energy drinks.
Keyword(s): Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse, Drug Abuse Prevention and Safety
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Conrad Woolsey has been the principal and co-principal investigator on 6 energy drink studies over the past 8 years. He also has several peer-reviewed publications and national conference presentations on the topic of energy drink use and has taught continuing education workshops related to drug prevention and health behavior change. His previous research on this energy drinks has been featured by the American College of Sports Medicine, CNN Health, and many others.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.