# Internet Gaming Disorder and Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use: The Moderating Role of Student Status

## TL;DR

This study finds that gaming addiction is linked to nonmedical prescription drug use, with students being more at risk, suggesting the need for early screening and prevention.

## Contribution

The study identifies student status as a moderator in the relationship between gaming addiction and nonmedical prescription drug use.

## Key findings

- Higher gaming addiction scores are associated with increased odds of nonmedical prescription drug use.
- Student status intensifies the relationship between gaming addiction and nonmedical prescription drug use.
- Screening for gaming addiction among students may help reduce substance misuse risks.

## Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Gaming addiction symptoms share numerous risk factors with nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU), and this association may be influenced by student status.The study emphasizes the role of educational environments in influencing behavioral and substance-related risks.

Gaming addiction symptoms share numerous risk factors with nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU), and this association may be influenced by student status.

The study emphasizes the role of educational environments in influencing behavioral and substance-related risks.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
Higher Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS) scores may exacerbate susceptibility to other addictive behaviors, including NMPDU, and this effect may be intensified among students.Suggests that increases in gaming addiction symptoms may lead to meaningful increases in substance misuse risk.

Higher Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS) scores may exacerbate susceptibility to other addictive behaviors, including NMPDU, and this effect may be intensified among students.

Suggests that increases in gaming addiction symptoms may lead to meaningful increases in substance misuse risk.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
Clinicians should routinely evaluate gaming addiction symptoms, and early identification may reduce subsequent nonmedical prescription drug use.Interventions on campuses that address stress management and healthy coping methods should be considered.

Clinicians should routinely evaluate gaming addiction symptoms, and early identification may reduce subsequent nonmedical prescription drug use.

Interventions on campuses that address stress management and healthy coping methods should be considered.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) are prevalent, co-occurring concerns among young adults. Although prior research links problematic gaming and substance misuse, few studies have examined this relationship in non-college populations or whether student status modifies this association. This study examined the relationship between Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS) score and NMPDU among 1022 Rhode Island young adults aged 18 to 25. In the total sample, 44.6% identified as cisgender heterosexual female, 42.4% as sexual or gender minority (SGM), and 13.0% as cisgender heterosexual male. Multivariable logistic regression estimated the adjusted association between GAS scores and NMPDU, and an interaction term between GAS and student status was tested. Overall, 12.1% reported lifetime NMPDU. Higher GAS scores were associated with increased odds of NMPDU (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.09). Student status alone was not significantly associated with NMPDU; however, a significant interaction was observed between GAS and student status (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01–1.18, p = 0.031). Higher GAS scores were positively associated with NMPDU, with student status strengthening this association. Findings support screening for problematic gaming, particularly among students, and integrated prevention strategies addressing both behavioral and substance-related risks.