Normative perceptions of non-medical stimulant use: associations with actual use and hazardous drinking

Abstract

Approximately 10% of US college students are engaged in non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) and that use is linked to concerning health, educational, and societal consequences. Few studies have assessed normative perceptions surrounding NMUPS. Accordingly, we examined self-reported use and normative perceptions for NMUPS and demographic factors that may be associated with them. We also investigated whether higher normative perceptions for NMUPS were related to the most commonly used and abused substance among college students (alcohol).

Method: 1106 undergraduates participated in an online survey of normative perceptions of NMUPS and students' own drinking and stimulant use habits.

Results: Students overestimated NMUPS by other students and those normative estimates were associated with higher NMUPS. Living in a fraternity or sorority was related to higher NMUPS and perceived norms. Finally, higher normative perceptions of NMUPS were associated with higher hazardous drinking.

Conclusion: The large discrepancy between actual use (generally low) and students' perceptions (generally high), and the relationship of these perceptions to both one's own use of NMUPS and alcohol suggests that interventions aimed at correcting norms may be useful.

Keywords: Alcohol; College students; Non-medical use; Normative perceptions; Prescription drugs; Stimulants.