Psychostimulant Drugs Abuse among Libyan Medical Students

Abstract

Abstract The use of psychostimulant substances by medical students is a phenomenon that is only partially known. The aim of this study was to examine prevalence of use and abuse of psychostimulant drugs among medical students. A structured questionnaire about potential use of caffeine, nicotine, and amphetamine as psychostimulant drugs use, was distributed by electronic means (google forms), among medical students from various levels at different faculties from 18 Libyan medical universities. A total of 752 students responded to the study noting that females represented 73% of respondents. Caffeine, nicotine, and amphetamine users represented 81.6%, 13.4% and 6.8% of study sample respectively. Stress, examination period and enjoyment were the most common reasons for psychostimulant drugs among medical students. A high percentage of medical students reported their intention to quit psychostimulants intake, but less than quarter of them only succeeded to quit. This study revealed that caffeine and nicotine are the most widely used psychostimulant substances by medical students in Libya. Even though amphetamine is prescribed drug but according to this study seems that many medical students had access to amphetamine. The use of psychostimulant substances by medical students in Libya is a phenomenon that should be evaluated systematically due to its prevalence and potential impact. Keywords: Libya, medical students, psychostimulants, caffeine, nicotine, tobacco, amphetamine, Adderall, abuse