The Illicit Use of ADHD Medications among High School Students: A Theoretical Contextualization

Prescription ADHD medication has been shown to be on the rise as a drug of abuse among young people. Unlike many drugs that serve only the purpose of achieving a high, this particular substance can also be perceived as useful and beneficial by those who abuse it. It is these positive attributes given to the illicit use of these drugs that make them so dangerous, especially in the hands of youths. To date, extant research has made little effort to contextualize this type of drug use within theories of deviance. This study looks to fill that void as well as bridge the gap between current epidemiological studies on this topic and future etiological investigations looking to assess causation within a theoretical context. Examining a national sample of 12th grade students, this study looks at what risk factors and predictors exist for the illicit use of ADHD medication.