A Qualitative Study of Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use

描述（由申请人提供）：我们提出了一个为期36个月的项目，在旧金山对非医疗处方兴奋剂使用者进行QUAL/quan混合方法研究。我们将“非医疗处方兴奋剂使用”定义为以非处方方式使用处方兴奋剂，包括用于增强认知能力、娱乐目的、或对adhd类型或其他问题进行自我治疗。非医疗使用处方兴奋剂的大学生已经有充分的记录。迄今为止，研究忽略了整个非学生群体，他们使用非医疗处方兴奋剂作为工作或娱乐的表现增强剂。我们不知道的是老年人如何非医学地使用处方兴奋剂。因此，我们将对三个年龄组的非医疗处方兴奋剂使用者的经历进行qualal /quan混合方法研究。采用自适应交叉性理论框架，我们将对150名参与者进行深入的定性访谈。五十人将在18 - 25岁之间，五十人将在26 - 45岁之间

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose a 36-month project to conduct a QUAL/quan mixed methods study of nonmedical prescription stimulant users in San Francisco. We define "nonmedical prescription stimulant use" as the use of prescription stimulants in a manner other than prescribed, including use for cognitive performance enhancement, recreational purposes, or to self-medicate for ADHD-type or other problems. Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants among college students has been well documented. To date, research studies ignore an entire population of non students who use nonmedical prescription stimulants as performance enhancers for work or recreation. What we do not know is how older adults use prescription stimulants nonmedically. Thus, we will conduct a QUAL/quan mixed method study of the experiences of nonmedical prescription stimulant users in three age cohorts. Using an adaptive intersectionality theoretical framework, we will conduct in-depth qualitative interviews with 150 participants. Fifty will be between 18 - 25 years of age, fifty 26 - 45 year olds who make up the first cohort (beginning in 1994) of recipients of ADHD medications, and fifty who are 46 and older. All participants will have used prescription stimulants nonmedically at least six times in the twelve months prior to interview. We will examine the types of prescription stimulants and the use of other prescription drugs and/or street drugs or alcohol to counter or enhance the effects of prescription stimulants. We will explore the intersection of individual factors, includig life stage and social location that contribute to decisions to use prescription stimulants nonmedically, motivations to use, knowledge about risks and benefits of prescription stimulant use, any adverse health or social consequences experienced, availability and diversion of prescription stimulants, differences in attitudes and behaviors relating to nonmedical prescription stimulant use and differences among the various age groups concerning all of the above. Findings will contribute to our understandings of users' experiences, including motivations to use, decision-making processes, perceptions of risk, health and social consequences of use, sources of prescription stimulants, and impact of age cohort on all of the above.