INFOFACTSRESOURCES
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention
Recreational Use of
Ritalin on College Campuses by Daniel Ari Kapner
Although alcohol is the most abused drug on college Whereas college students once drank excessive • A 2008 survey of 2,087 college students revealed
campuses, Ritalin has also attracted much concern amounts of coffee or took caffeine pills to stay awake that 5.3 percent admitted nonmedical use, with
in recent years. This Infofacts/Resources describes while cramming for tests, many now use Ritalin misuse of Ritalin occurring four times more
Ritalin use on college campuses, outlines possible to remain alert.4 Anecdotal evidence suggests that frequently than Concerta.12
effects of its abuse, and recommends policies for Ritalin can allow students to stay awake for many • In a 2006 study, researchers at a northeastern
institutions of higher education. hours in a row and maintain abnormally high levels U.S. university found that 16 percent of respondents
of concentration. Students have used it to cram for abused stimulant medication, 96 percent of whom
as long as a few days.5 Monitoring the Future re- preferred Ritalin.13
• In a 2002 survey of students at the University of
What Is Ritalin Abuse? ports a drop-off in annual prevalence of nonmedical
Florida, 1.5 percent used Ritalin recreationally
Methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin or Concerta1) Ritalin use of more than half after age 24, lending
in the previous 30 days.14
is the common treatment for attention deficit hyper- support to arguments that students are using it as
• In a 2000 survey, 16 percent of students at a
activity disorder (ADHD), a condition affecting 3–5 a “study drug.”6 Some students use Ritalin so they
small public liberal arts college reported having
percent of the U.S. population. Ritalin is occasion- can consume more alcohol or mix it with other
tried Ritalin recreationally, and 12.7 percent
ally prescribed for narcolepsy.2 drugs to prolong partying.5, 7, 8
reported having taken it intranasally.15
In recent years, Ritalin has become one of the Although some students take Ritalin tablets
• A 2000 survey at the University of Pennsylvania
most abused prescription drugs. The U.S. Drug En- whole, others pursue stronger stimulation by crush- found that almost 9 percent of undergraduates
forcement Administration (DEA) classifies Ritalin as ing tablets and snorting them. Still others grind had used someone else’s prescription medications,
a schedule 2 drug, a substance with a large potential the tablets, mix them with water, “cook” them, and many of which were Ritalin.3
for misuse.3 Street terms for Ritalin include “vitamin inject the mix intravenously.9
R,” “R ball,” and “cramming drug.” The National Collegiate Athletic Association Students appear to begin using Ritalin without a
Prescribed Ritalin costs 25–50 cents per tablet. (NCAA) bans Ritalin, except for medical exceptions, prescription at young ages. Monitoring the Future
and the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Interna- reports suggest that many students arrive on campus
Ritalin’s street value may be as much as $2 to $20
tional Olympic Committee also ban the stimulant.10 having already used Ritalin: in 2006, 4.4 percent of
per 20 milligram tablet.1
12th graders admitted annual use, as did 3.6 percent
of 10th graders.6 A study of 6,000 high school students
For additional information in Massachusetts showed that 13 percent were found
How Prevalent Is Ritalin Abuse? to have abused Ritalin.16 The same study found that
The Higher Education Center for Ritalin is widely available. Nineteen million 4 percent of middle school students had also abused
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse prescriptions were filled in 1999, a rise of 500 Ritalin at some point in their lives.11
and Violence Prevention
Education Development Center, Inc. percent since 1991.11 Monitoring the Future began
55 Chapel Street documenting Ritalin abuse in 2002, and several
Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1060 additional studies indicate that it is widespread, with
Possible Effects of Ritalin Abuse
www.higheredcenter.org the rates of student use varying greatly from campus
Since Ritalin is a prescribed medication, students
1-800-676-1730; TDD Relay-friendly, Dial 711 to campus.
Fax: 617-928-1537 often mistakenly consider it innocent and harmless,
HigherEdCtr@edc.org • 5.7 percent of college students nationwide admit- without the stigma associated with street drugs.9 In
ted to using Ritalin at least once in 2002, and the fact, illegal Ritalin use can be very dangerous, with
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education number has steadily declined to 3.9 percent in effects similar to those produced by cocaine and
August 2008 2006.6 amphetamines.17
☞
INFOFACTS
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention http://www.higheredcenter.org
William Bailey from Indiana University suggests Ritalin Theft 3. Limit Availability and Access
that Ritalin may cause the following adverse Almost 2,000 instances of Ritalin theft were reported • Work with local law enforcement to stay
effects:9 between January 1990 and May 1995, putting informed about trends relating to Ritalin abuse
the drug among the top 10 most frequently stolen and theft in the area.
• Nervousness, insomnia
controlled medications.7, 18 The DEA estimated • Work with campus health officials and doctors to
• Loss of appetite, leading to serious malnutrition
that nearly 700,000 doses of Ritalin were stolen monitor students’ Ritalin requests.
• Nausea, vomiting
between January 1996 and December 1997.18
• Dizziness, headaches
Officials counted 376 cases of Ritalin thefts from 4. Enforce Campus Policy and State and
• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually
pharmacies in 1998.2 In addition, Ritalin Local Laws
elevation of both, but occasionally depression) is often stolen from other students, parents, high • Revise campus alcohol and other drug policies as
• Skin rashes, itching school nurses’ offices, and high school teachers. necessary to include commonly abused
• Abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive problems
prescription drugs specifically.
• Toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug
• Communicate campus alcohol and other drug
dependence syndrome
Strategies for Institutions of policies clearly and frequently to the community,
• Chronic use and dependence including possible consequences for violations.
Higher Education
• Severe depression upon withdrawal
The recent increase in Ritalin abuse challenges col-
Adverse effects from high doses include the following: leges and universities to include commonly abused
prescription drugs as they develop and implement
• Loss of appetite, leading to serious malnutrition Pursuing Further Research
prevention and enforcement efforts
• Tremors, muscle twitching Prevention professionals on campus should
for alcohol and other drugs. Following are four
• Fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe) implement surveys that include questions about
environmental strategies for reducing
• Irregular heartbeat and respirations (may be the recreational use of Ritalin to create a more
Ritalin abuse.19
profound and life threatening) comprehensive understanding of its prevalence on
• Anxiety, restlessness campuses. Patterns of student use, implications for
1. Promote Alcohol- and Other Drug-
• Excessive repetition of movements and meaningless academic performance, and correlations with other
Free Social, Recreational, and Extracur-
tasks social issues are potential areas for further study.
ricular Options and Public Service
• Paranoia, hallucinations, delusions
• Sponsor alcohol- and other drug-free social
• Formication (sensation of bugs or worms crawling
and recreational options for students. Marketing
under the skin)
efforts for these events must clearly specify the
• Death (uncommon as a result of Ritalin abuse,
alcohol- and other drug-free guidelines for Daniel Ari Kapner served as writer/researcher
but reports indicate Ritalin abuse has led to death)
the activities. at the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and
Intravenous use of Ritalin may cause the following: • Sponsor and publicize volunteer and community Other Drug Prevention.
service opportunities for students.
• Toxic overdose reactions
• Blood clots from scar tissue, resulting from small
2. Create a Social, Academic, and Resi-
particles that enter the syringe
dential Environment That Promotes
• Infections (blood poisoning, abscesses, hepatitis,
Healthy Social Norms
HIV/AIDS)
• Survey students to determine the prevalence of
• Scars (“tracks” and adhesions)
Ritalin and other prescription drug abuse on
• Skin and circulatory problems
campus.
• Pulmonary problems (“addict’s lung,” embolisms)
• Offer resources to educate students about the
In addition, snorting Ritalin through the nose dangers of Ritalin abuse.
causes the membrane separating the nasal passage and • Develop social norms marketing campaigns to
the brain to deteriorate, resulting in nosebleeds and address any exaggerated misperceptions of
damage to nasal cartilage.9 Ritalin and other prescription drug abuse.20
INFOFACTSRESOURCES
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention http://www.higheredcenter.org
References 14. University of Florida Alcohol and Drug Survey: Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
1. Kelley, J. E., and Jagielski, C. H. “Ritalin.” Retrieved 2002 Key Findings. Gainesville, Fla.: Campus Alco- (OSDFS)
August 15, 2008, from http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/ hol and Drug Resource Center, University of Florida. U.S. Department of Education
publications/factline/ritalin.pdf. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://www.health.ufl. http://www.ed.gov/osdfs; 202-245-7896
2. “Methylphenidate (Ritalin).” Bethesda, Md.: Na- edu/shcc/key02.pdf.
tional Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes 15. Babcock, Q., and Byrne, T. “Student Perceptions of OSDFS supports efforts to create safe schools, respond
of Health, 1999. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from Methylphenidate Abuse at a Public Liberal Arts Col- to crises, prevent alcohol and other drug abuse,
http://165.112.78.61/Infofax/Ritalin.html. lege.” Journal of American College Health 49 (3): ensure the health and well-being of students, and
3. Vedantam, A., and Blanchard, M. P. “Ritalin Abuse 143, 2000. teach students good character and citizenship. The
Growing Epidemic Among Youth,” Knight-Ridder/ 16. Carter, G., and Winseman, J. “A Prescription for agency provides financial assistance for drug abuse
Tribune News Service, 24 January 2001. Healing the Whole Student,” The Chronicle of Higher and violence prevention programs and activities that
4. Diaz, J. “Ritalin Grows as ‘Cramming Drug’ at U.S. Education 3 August 2001: B24. promote the health and well-being of students in
Colleges,” Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service, 4 17. “Methylphenidate (Ritalin).” Alexandria, Va.: U.S. elementary and secondary schools and institutions of
November 2001. Department of Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement Admin- higher education.
5. Jaffe, H. “New Coke: It Was the Pill That Helped istration. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://www.
Hyper Kids Calm Down, and Millions of Families dea.gov/concern/methylphenidate.html.
The U.S. Department of Education’s
Signed On. Now Ritalin Is the Big, Black-Market 18. Ziegler, N. “Recreational Ritalin: Kids Using Prescrip-
Higher Education Center for Alcohol
Drug on Campus, for Anybody Who Wants to Work or tion Drug for Fun.” Associated Press, 2000.
and Other Drug Abuse and Violence
Party Harder.” Men’s Health 17 (5): 128–134, 2002. 19. For more information about environmental strategies
Prevention
6. Johnston, L. D.; O’Malley, P. M.; Bachman, J. G.; for alcohol and other drug prevention, see the Higher
http://www.higheredcenter.org; 1-800-676-1730;
and Schulenberg, J. E. Monitoring the Future Na- Education Center’s publication Environmental Man-
agement: A Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing
TDD Relay-friendly, Dial 711
tional Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975–2006
Volume II: College Students & Adults Ages 19–45 Alcohol and Other Drug Use on College Campuses.
The Higher Education Center offers an integrated
(Bethesda, Md.: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 20. For more information about social norms marketing,
array of services to help campuses and communities
2007). see the Higher Education Center’s publication Social
come together to identify problems; assess needs; and
7. Nicklin, J. L. “The Latest Trend: Mixing Prescrip- Marketing Strategies for Campus Prevention of
plan, implement, and evaluate alcohol and other drug
tion Drugs with Other Substances,” The Chronicle of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems and the Center’s
abuse and violence prevention programs. Services
Higher Education, 9 June 2000: A58. Web site at http://www.higheredcenter.org.
8. Zielbauer, P. “New Campus High: Illicit Prescrip-
include training; technical assistance; publications;
tion Drugs,” The New York Times, 24 March 2000. support for the Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol
9. Bailey, W. J. FactLine on Non-Medical Use of and Other Drug Issues; and evaluation activities. The
Ritalin (methylphenidate). Bloomington, Ind.: Higher Education Center’s publications are free and
Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC), 1995. can be downloaded from its Web site.
Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://www.drugs.
indiana.edu/publications/iprc/factline/ritalin.html. The Network Addressing Collegiate
10. “Tough Call.” The NCAA News, June 23, 1997. Alcohol and Other Drug Issues
Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://www.ncaa.org/ http://www.thenetwork.ws; see Web site for
news/1997/19970623/briefly.html#2. telephone contacts by region
11. “Abusing Ritalin (Dangers of Prescription Drug
Abuse).” Scholastic Choices 17 (1): 6, 2001. The Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol and Other
12. DuPont, R. L.; Coleman, J. J.; Bucher, R. H.; and Drug Issues (Network) is a national consortium of
Wilford, B. B. “Characteristics and Motives of College colleges and universities formed to promote healthy
Students Who Engage in Nonmedical Use of Meth-
campus environments by addressing issues related
ylphenidate.” American Journal on Addictions 17,
to alcohol and other drugs. Developed in 1987 by the
3, 2008.
U.S. Department of Education, the Network comprises
13. Prudhomme, B.; Becker-Blease, K. A.; and Grace-
Bishop, K. “Stimulant Medication Use, Misuse, and member institutions that voluntarily agree to work
Abuse in an Undergraduate and Graduate Student toward a set of standards aimed at reducing AOD
Sample.” Journal of American College Health 54, problems at colleges and universities. It has more than
1,600 members nationwide.
5, 2006.
☞
INFOFACTSRESOURCES
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention http://http://www.higheredcenter.org
Other Organizations National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA)
Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.nida.nih.gov; 301-443-1124
(DEA)
NIDA’s mission is to lead the nation in bringing the
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm; 1-800-882-9539
power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.
The DEA operates in conjunction with the U.S. This charge has two critical components: The first is
Department of Justice. It provides information to support and conduct research across a broad range
regarding specific drugs, statistics, and national of disciplines. The second is to ensure that these
programs targeted at curbing drug abuse. The DEA’s research results are disseminated and implemented
fact sheet on Ritalin, geared toward law enforcement, rapidly and effectively, thus significantly improv-
can be found online at http://www.dea.gov/concern/ ing the prevention and treatment of drug abuse
methylphenidate.html. and addiction. NIDA’s fact sheet on Ritalin abuse is
available online at www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/ritalin.
National Association of Drug html. NIDA has also published a research report on
Diversion Investigators, Inc. prescription drug abuse, available online at http://
http://www.naddi.org www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Prescription/
Prescription.html.
In addition to the most recent drug diversion news,
NADDI offers a helpline devoted to answering ques-
tions about prescription drug abuse. Full access to This publication was funded by the Office
of Safe and Drug-Free Schools at the U.S.
this site requires a subscription. Department of Education under con-
tracts number ED-99-CO-0094 and ED-
Indiana Prevention Resource Center 04-CO-0137 with Education Development
(IPRC) Center, Inc. The contracting officer’s representative was
http://www.drugs.indiana.edu; 812-855-1237 Richard Lucey, Jr. The content of this publication does
not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S.
The Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana Department of Education, nor does mention of trade
names, commercial products, or organizations imply
University is a statewide clearinghouse for preven- endorsement by the U.S. government. This publication
tion, technical assistance, and information about also contains hyperlinks and URLs for information
alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for the state of created and maintained by private organizations. This
Indiana. It is Indiana’s officially designated RADAR information is provided for the reader’s convenience.
The U.S. Department of Education is not responsible for
(Regional Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource) controlling or guaranteeing the accuracy, relevance,
Network State Center. IPRC offers fact sheets and timeliness, or completeness of this outside information.
other information regarding alcohol and other Further, the inclusion of information or a hyperlink or
drugs. IPRC’s fact sheet on Ritalin abuse can be URL does not reflect the importance of the organiza-
tion, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed,
found online at http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/ or products or services offered. Published 2003; latest
publications/iprc/factline/ritalin.html. update August 2008.
