Adolescent use of opioids and stimulants: testing the influence of peers, self-control, and sports participation

Abstract

Over 15% of adolescents in the US have used opioids or stimulants in the past year without a prescription. Research suggests that sports participation is a predictor of adolescent illicit opioid and stimulant use; however, these studies are atheoretical. This study fills this gap by using a national sample to use social learning theory and self-control theory, to examine adolescent use of nonmedical opioids and stimulants. The study also examines the relationship between sports participation and drug use. Findings indicate social learning and low self-control predicts adolescent use of stimulants and opioids; however, sports participation was not significant. The manuscript concludes by discussing the finding’s implications.

Keywords:

• Prescription drugs
• social learning theory
• self-control theory
• sports participation
• adolescents

Notes

1. This study uses ‘opioids’ and ‘narcotics’ and ‘stimulants’ and ‘amphetamines’ interchangeably throughout the manuscript.

2. Tolerance measures indicate multicollinearity is not an issue for the analysis. Results can be produced by request.