INFOFACTSRESOURCES

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug 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
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• A 2000 survey at the University of Pennsylvania
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campuses, Ritalin has also attracted much concern amounts of coffee or took caffeine pills to stay awake found that almost 9 percent of undergraduates
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in recent years. This Infofacts/Resources describes while cramming for tests, many now use Ritalin to had used someone else’s prescription medications,
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Ritalin use on college campuses, outlines possible remain alert.4 Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of which were Ritalin.2
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effects of its abuse, and recommends policies for Ritalin can allow students to stay awake for many • A 1998 survey of students at the University of
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institutions of higher education. hours in a row and maintain abnormally high levels Wisconsin, Madison, found that 20 percent of
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of concentration. Students have used it to cram for students had illegally taken Ritalin or a similar
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as long as a few days.5 Some students use Ritalin so drug at least once in their lives.4
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they can consume more alcohol or mix it with other • A 1997 survey of Texas university students
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What Is Ritalin Abuse?
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drugs to prolong partying.3, 5, 6 concluded that 1.5 percent of students had misused
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Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, is the
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Although some students take Ritalin tablets Ritalin during the past year and that 2 percent
common treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity
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whole, others pursue stronger stimulation by had done so at some point in their lives.12
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disorder (ADHD), a condition affecting 3–5 percent of
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crushing tablets and snorting them. Still others
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the U.S. population. Ritalin is occasionally Increasing numbers of students are using Ritalin
grind the tablets, mix them with water, “cook”
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prescribed for narcolepsy.1 without a prescription at younger ages. A 1997 survey

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them, and inject the mix intravenously.7

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In recent years, Ritalin has become one of the of 44,232 high school students by Indiana University
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The National Collegiate Athletic Association

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most abused prescription drugs. The U.S. Drug found that almost 7 percent had used Ritalin
(NCAA) bans Ritalin, except for medical exceptions,
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Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies Ritalin recreationally at least once during the previous year.13
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and the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Interna-

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as a schedule 2 drug, a substance with a large In a more recent study of 6,000 high school students
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tional Olympic Committee also ban the stimulant.8

potential for misuse.2 Street terms for Ritalin include in Massachusetts, 13 percent were found to have
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“vitamin R,” “R ball,” and “cramming drug.” abused Ritalin.14 The same study found that 4 percent
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Prescribed Ritalin costs 25–50 cents per tablet. of middle school students had also abused Ritalin at
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Ritalin’s street value may be as much as $3 to $15 How Prevalent Is Ritalin Abuse? some point in their lives.9
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per tablet.3 Ritalin is widely available. Nineteen million

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prescriptions were filled in 1999, a rise of 500

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percent since 1991.9 Although there are no national

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For additional information Possible Effects of Ritalin Abuse

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surveys documenting Ritalin abuse on college

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Since Ritalin is a prescribed medication, students

campuses, several studies indicate that it is
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The Higher Education Center for often mistakenly consider it innocent and harmless,
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Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention widespread.

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without the stigma associated with street drugs.9 In

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Education Development Center, Inc. • In a 2002 survey of students at the University of fact, illegal Ritalin use can be very dangerous, with
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55 Chapel Street Florida, 1.5 percent used Ritalin recreationally effects similar to those produced by cocaine and
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Newton, Massachusetts 02458-1060

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in the previous 30 days.10

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amphetamines.15
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www.higheredcenter.org/ • In a 2000 survey, 16 percent of students at a William Bailey from Indiana University suggests
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(800) 676-1730; fax: (617) 928-1537

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small public liberal arts college reported having that Ritalin may cause the following adverse
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HigherEdCtr@edc.org
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tried Ritalin recreationally, and 12.7 percent effects:7

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☞
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reported having taken it intranasally.11

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Funded by the U.S. Department of Education,

with supplemental funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
June 2003
 INFOFACTS
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

• Nervousness, insomnia Ritalin Theft 3. Limit Availability and Access

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• Loss of appetite, leading to serious malnutrition Almost 2,000 instances of Ritalin theft were • Work with local law enforcement to stay

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• Nausea, vomiting reported between January 1990 and May 1995, informed about trends relating to Ritalin abuse

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• Dizziness, headaches putting the drug among the top 10 most frequently and theft in the area.

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stolen controlled medications.3, 13 The DEA • Work with campus health officials and doctors to
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• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually

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elevation of both, but occasionally depression) estimated that nearly 700,000 doses of Ritalin were monitor students’ Ritalin requests.
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stolen between January 1996 and December

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• Skin rashes, itching
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• Abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive problems 1997.13 4. Enforce Campus Policy and State and
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• Toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug Officials counted 376 cases of Ritalin thefts from Local Laws
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dependence syndrome pharmacies in 1998.2 In addition, Ritalin • Revise campus alcohol and other drug policies as

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• Chronic use and dependence is often stolen from other students, parents, high necessary to include commonly abused
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• Severe depression upon withdrawal school nurses’ offices, and high school teachers. prescription drugs specifically.
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• Communicate campus alcohol and other drug
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Adverse effects from high doses include the following:
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policies clearly and frequently to the community,
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• Loss of appetite, leading to serious malnutrition including possible consequences for violations.

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Strategies for Institutions of
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• Tremors, muscle twitching
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Higher Education

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• Fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe) The recent increase in Ritalin abuse challenges
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• Irregular heartbeat and respirations (may be
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colleges and universities to include commonly Pursuing Further Research
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profound and life threatening)
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abused prescription drugs as they develop and

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Other than a few surveys, most information about
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• Anxiety, restlessness
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implement prevention and enforcement efforts
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Ritalin abuse on campus is anecdotal. National
• Excessive repetition of movements and meaning-
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for alcohol and other drugs. Following are four

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surveys should include questions about the

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less tasks environmental strategies for reducing

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recreational use of Ritalin to create a more

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• Paranoia, hallucinations, delusions

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Ritalin abuse.16
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comprehensive understanding of its prevalence on

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• Formication (sensation of bugs or worms crawling

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campuses. Patterns of student use, implications for

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under the skin)

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1. Promote Alcohol- and Other Drug-

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academic performance, and correlations with other

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• Death (uncommon as a result of Ritalin abuse,

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Free Social, Recreational, and Extracur- social issues are potential areas for further study.
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but reports indicate Ritalin abuse has led to death)

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ricular Options and Public Service

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• Sponsor alcohol- and other drug-free social

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Intravenous use of Ritalin may cause the following:

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and recreational options for students. Marketing

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• Toxic overdose reactions

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efforts for these events must clearly specify the Daniel Ari Kapner is a writer/researcher at the
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• Blood clots from scar tissue, resulting from small

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alcohol- and other drug-free guidelines for Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other
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particles that enter the syringe

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the activities. Drug Prevention.

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• Infections (blood poisoning, abscesses, hepatitis,

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• Sponsor and publicize volunteer and community

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HIV/AIDS) service opportunities for students.

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• Scars (“tracks” and adhesions)

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• Skin and circulatory problems

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2. Create a Social, Academic, and

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• Pulmonary problems (“addict’s lung,” embolisms)

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Residential Environment That Promotes

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In addition, snorting Ritalin through the nose Healthy Social Norms

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• Survey students to determine the prevalence of

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causes the membrane separating the nasal passage and

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the brain to deteriorate, resulting in nosebleeds and Ritalin and other prescription drug abuse on
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damage to nasal cartilage.7 campus.

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• Offer resources to educate students about the

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dangers of Ritalin abuse.

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• Develop social norms marketing campaigns to

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address any exaggerated misperceptions of

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Ritalin and other prescription drug abuse.17

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 INFOFACTSRESOURCES
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

References 15. “Methylphenidate (Ritalin).” Alexandria, Va.: U.S. The Higher Education Center for

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1. “Methylphenidate (Ritalin).” Bethesda, Md.: Department of Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

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National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes Administration. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http:// The U.S. Department of Education’s Higher

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of Health, 1999. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http:// www.dea.gov/concern/methylphenidate.html. Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug

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165.112.78.61/Infofax/Ritalin.html. 16. For more information about environmental strategies for

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Prevention assists institutions of higher education
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2. Vedantam, A., and Blanchard, M. P. “Ritalin Abuse alcohol and other drug prevention, see the Higher nationwide in developing, implementing, and

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Growing Epidemic Among Youth,” Knight-Ridder/ Education Center’s publication Environmental

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evaluating alcohol and other drug prevention

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Tribune News Service, 24 January 2001. Management: A Comprehensive Strategy for

policies and programs that will foster students’

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3. Nicklin, J. L. “The Latest Trend: Mixing Prescription Reducing Alcohol and Other Drug Use on College

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academic and social development and promote

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Drugs with Other Substances,” The Chronicle of
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Campuses.

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Higher Education, 9 June 2000: A58. 17. For more information about social norms marketing, see campus and community safety. The Center provides

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training; technical assistance; assessment,

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4. Diaz, J. “Ritalin Grows as ‘Cramming Drug’ at U.S.
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the Higher Education Center’s publication Social

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Colleges,” Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service, 4 Marketing Strategies for Campus Prevention of Alcohol evaluation, and analysis activities; publications; and

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November 2001. support for The Network: Addressing Collegiate
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and Other Drug Problems and the Center’s Social

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5. Jaffe, H. “New Coke: It Was the Pill That Helped Hyper Norms and Social Marketing page at Alcohol and Other Drug Issues. (See page 1 for

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Kids Calm Down, and Millions of Families Signed On.
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www.higheredcenter.org. contact information.)

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Now Ritalin Is the Big, Black-Market Drug on

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Campus, for Anybody Who Wants to Work or Party
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Harder.” Men’s Health 17 (5): 128–134, 2002.

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Other Organizations

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6. Zielbauer, P. “New Campus High: Illicit Prescription
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Drugs,” The New York Times, 24 March 2000.

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7. Bailey, W. J. FactLine on Non-Medical Use of Ritalin ○

Drug Enforcement Administration

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(methylphenidate). Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana

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(DEA)
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Prevention Resource Center (IPRC), 1995. Retrieved

2401 Jefferson Davis Highway
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June 17, 2003, from http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/

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Alexandria, VA 22301
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publications/iprc/factline/ritalin.html.
www.dea.gov/
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8. “Tough Call.” The NCAA News, June 23, 1997.

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(800) 882-9539
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Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://www.ncaa.org/

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news/1997/19970623/briefly.html#2. The DEA operates in conjunction with the U.S.

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Department of Justice. It provides information

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9. “Abusing Ritalin (Dangers of Prescription Drug

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Abuse).” Scholastic Choices 17 (1): 6, 2001. regarding specific drugs, statistics, and national
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10. University of Florida Alcohol and Drug Survey: programs targeted at curbing drug abuse. The DEA’s
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2002 Key Findings. Gainesville, Fla.: Campus fact sheet on Ritalin, geared toward law enforce-
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Alcohol and Drug Resource Center, University of ment, can be found online at www.dea.gov/concern/
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Florida. Retrieved June 17, 2003, from http://

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methylphenidate.html.
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www.health.ufl.edu/shcc/key02.pdf.
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11. Babcock, Q., and Byrne, T. “Student Perceptions of

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National Association of Drug

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Methylphenidate Abuse at a Public Liberal Arts Diversion Investigators, Inc.

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College.” Journal of American College Health 49

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PO Box 42015
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(3): 143, 2000.

Baltimore, MD 21284-2015
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12. Kerber, L., and Wuallisch, L. 1997 Texas Survey of

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www.naddi.org/
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Substance Use Among University Students. Austin,

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Tex.: Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, (888) 39-NADDI

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In addition to the most recent drug diversion news,

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1999.
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13. Ziegler, N. “Recreational Ritalin: Kids Using NADDI offers a helpline devoted to answering
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Prescription Drug for Fun.” Associated Press, 2000. questions about prescription drug abuse. Full access
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14. Carter, G., and Winseman, J. “A Prescription for to this site requires a subscription.
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Healing the Whole Student,” The Chronicle of Higher

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Education 3 August 2001: B24.

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☞
 INFOFACTSRESOURCES
The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention

Indiana Prevention Resource Center The Network: Addressing Collegiate

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(IPRC) Alcohol and Other Drug Issues

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Indiana University c/o The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and

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Creative Arts Building Other Drug Prevention

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2735 E 10th Street, Rm 110

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Education Development Center, Inc.

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Bloomington, IN 47408-2606 55 Chapel Street
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www.drugs.indiana.edu/ ○
Newton, MA 02458-1060

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(812) 855-1237
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Fax: (858) 551-2948
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The Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana www.higheredcenter.org/network/
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University is a statewide clearinghouse for preven- The Network (formerly known as the Network of
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tion, technical assistance, and information about Colleges and Universities Committed to the
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alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for the state of Elimination of Drug and Alcohol Abuse) is a national
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Indiana. It is Indiana’s officially designated RADAR
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consortium of colleges and universities formed to
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(Regional Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource) promote healthy campus environments by addressing
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Network State Center. IPRC offers fact sheets and the issues of alcohol, other drugs, and violence.
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other information regarding alcohol and other
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Begun in 1987 by the U.S. Department of Education,
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drugs. IPRC’s fact sheet on Ritalin abuse can be The Network comprises member institutions that

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found online at www.drugs.indiana.edu/publica- voluntarily agree to adhere to a set of standards

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tions/iprc/factline/ritalin.html. aimed at reducing AOD problems at colleges and

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universities. It has close to 1,500 members nation-

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National Institute on Drug Abuse

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wide. The Network develops collaborative alcohol and

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(NIDA) other drug prevention efforts among colleges and

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

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universities through electronic information

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National Institutes of Health

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exchange, printed materials, and sponsorship of

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6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5213 national, regional, and state activities and
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Bethesda, MD 20892
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conferences.
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www.nida.nih.gov/
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(301) 443-1124
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NIDA’s mission is to lead the nation in bringing the

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power of science to bear on drug abuse and

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addiction. This charge has two critical components:

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This publication has been funded in

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The first is to support and conduct research across a

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part with Federal funds from the

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broad range of disciplines. The second is to ensure Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
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that these research results are disseminated and at the U.S. Department of Education under
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implemented rapidly and effectively, thus signifi- contract number ED-99-CO-0094 with Educa-
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tion Development Center, Inc. The content of this

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cantly improving the prevention and treatment of

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publication does not necessarily reflect the views

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drug abuse and addiction. NIDA’s fact sheet on

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or policies of the U.S. Department of Education,

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Ritalin abuse is available online at

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nor does mention of trade names, commercial

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www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/ritalin.html. NIDA has

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products, or organizations imply endorsement

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also published a research report on prescription drug

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by the U.S. Government.

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abuse, available online at www.nida.nih.gov/

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ResearchReports/Prescription/Prescription.html.
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