Perceptions of Non-Using College Students’ Likelihood to Use Nonprescription or Prescription Stimulants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has highlighted the risk of non-users among college students using illegal prescription stimulants due to misinformation and incorrect assumptions. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of college students who do not use stimulants on perceived risks, social acceptability, opportunity experiences, and likelihood of using stimulants. The study addressed factors that either encourage or discourage students from using stimulants, as well as the internal and extrinsic incentives associated with this activity, using a phenomenological paradigm. Twelve southern Ohioan students who were not users were interviewed using a structured interviewing technique, which was consistently applied throughout the study. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and commonalities in the data. Those who refrained from using stimulants showed a high degree of awareness of the detrimental impacts of doing so, including the possibility of addiction and adverse health outcomes. Social unacceptability, which was founded on personal values and cultural norms, presented a challenge. As seen by the significant resistance to peer pressure despite repeated drug offers, academic integrity and personal health were emphasized over perceived short-term gains. The study results emphasize the importance of comprehending non-users’ viewpoints regarding the potential drawbacks of stimulant use to develop focused actions and strategies to lessen abuse in academic settings. These insights broaden positive social change through an understanding of the factors influencing student opinions and provide the foundation for preventative interventions that assist at-risk children in leading healthy, drug-free lives.