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DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1284389
Muster des Missbrauchs von (Psycho-) Stimulanzien zum pharmakologischen Neuroenhancement bei Studierenden[*]
Patterns of Misuse of Stimulants for Pharmacological Neuroenhancement in StudentsPublication History
Publication Date:
29 September 2011 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/suchttherapie/201104/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-0031-1284389-1.jpg)
Zusammenfassung
Ziel:
Auch in Deutschland werden verschreibungspflichtige und illegale (Psycho-) Stimulanzien wie Methylphenidat und Amphetamine von Studierenden ohne medizinische Indikation zur geistigen Leistungssteigerung missbraucht. Über die Charakteristika dieses sog. pharmakologischen Neuroenhancements (PN) ist bislang nur wenig bekannt.
Methoden:
Semistrukturierte Interviews mit 20 Studierenden, die Stimulanzien zum PN eingenommen haben, über Aspekte des PN (Motive, Einstellungen usw.).
Ergebnisse:
Es lassen sich 2 Muster des Substanzmissbrauchs zum PN unterscheiden, die zum Teil fließend ineinander übergehen und die exemplarisch anhand zweier Fallbeispiele dargestellt werden: Ein Muster ist charakterisiert durch transienten Missbrauch von Stimulanzien gezielt und ausschließlich zum PN während Phasen hoher Leistungsanforderungen. Das zweite Muster ist charakterisiert durch kombiniertes PN und Substanzmissbrauch sowie -abhängigkeit bzgl. Stimulanzien und verschiedener legaler und illegaler Drogen.
Schlussfolgerung:
PN tritt entweder weitgehend isoliert oder gemeinsam mit kombiniertem Substanzmissbrauch bzw. Substanzabhängigkeit auf. Epidemiologische Studien müssen die Häufigkeit beider Muster und das Risiko der Entwicklung einer Substanzabhängigkeit bei phasenweise betriebenem PN analysieren.
Abstract
Objective:
In Germany, prescription and illicit stimulants (methylphenidate and amphetamines) are misused for pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) without medical purposes by students, too. Only very little is known about characteristics of PN for academic performance enhancement.
Methods:
Semistructured interviews among 20 students who reported the use of stimulants about divergent aspects of PN (motives, attitudes, routes of administration, source of substances, etc.).
Results:
There are 2 patterns of misuse of stimulants for PN with merged characteristics which are illustrated using two characteristic cases: One pattern is characterized by transient misuse of stimulants exclusively for PN in high demanding situations. In contrast, another pattern is characterized by PN associated with misuse and addiction regarding stimulants and divergent licit and illicit drugs.
Conclusion:
PN can be an isolated phenomenon or can be associated with combined substance misuse and addiction. Further epidemiological studies should analyze the frequency of both patterns and the risk of developing abuse and addiction in case of intermittent PN.
Schlüsselwörter
pharmakologisches Neuroenhancement - (Psycho-) Stimulanzien - Drogen - Missbrauch - AbhängigkeitKey words
cognitive enhancement - pharmacological enhancement - stimulants - drugs - misuse - addiction* Die Autoren sind zu gleichen Teilen an der Publikation beteiligt.
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