Stimulant Use as Correlate of Abusive Behavior among Nigerian Undergraduates.

Stimulant use and abusive behaviour have been associated with the phenomenon of 'out of control' tendency with the potential for self-destruction. This study present report on frequency of use by Nigerian undergraduates of five stimulants: amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, cola-nut and tobacco. The population of the study was made up of all the Nigerian undergraduates in the 2003/2004 academic session. Participants were randomly selected from two Nigerian universities. A questionnaire survey design using a Likert scale was employed. Two research questions and one hypothesis were tested in this study. It was observed that feeling high and staying awake were the common reasons students attributed to the use of stimulants. The analyses revealed significant relationships for amphetamine: (Beta = .102, p =3.035, r=. 129**), Caffeine= (Beta = .135, p =4.000, r=. 133**) and Cocaine (Beta = .117, p = 3.467, r=. 101**). Cola-nut (Beta = -.218, p =6.460, r=-. 227**). and Tobacco (Beta = .117, p = 3.463, r=. 096**). However, the joint contributions of the predictor variables in the variation of criterion variable is 9.8% which is significant F=18.397, df=(5,794) p Introduction Stimulants are central nervous system (CNS) drugs that speed up the physical and mental processes. Since the earliest times, man has sought through curiosity, desire or need, substance that will induce in him/her pleasant sensation to physical or mental pain. The motive for non-medical stimulant use may be sociological (status-seeking peer pressure, the news media, substance -oriented society), psychological (to banish pain or discomfort, to attain states of euphoria, fantasy, or to escape from unpleasant reality out of curiosity, boredom alleviate fear, derive sexual and other physical pleasures) and lastly family background (Alan, 2003; Pianezza, Sellers, and Tyndale, 1998). Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants increase attention, decrease restlessness, and improve co-ordination in people who have attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder. Amphetamines, caffeine, cocaine and coffee as examples are used primarily to delay the onset of mental and physical fatigue. However, excessive use of stimulants over long periods of time could lead to physical and psychological dependence and withdrawal symptoms manifest with the use of these substances. These symptoms include irritability, impatience, hostility, anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty in concentrating (Ebie, 1988). They could lead to abusive behaviours. What then are the properties of these stimulants? According to Glen (2003) and Donald (2001), amphetamine is a powerful stimulant that excites physical and mental activity of the central nervous system and commonly known as "speed", "pep pills", "uppers" or "wake ups" which can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected. While Barbara (2001) describes caffeine as an odourless, slightly bitter solid stimulant found in small amounts in coffee, tea, and colas and it is administered orally; Jacob and Itan (2003) defined cocaine as white, crystalline, alkaloid powerful stimulant substance obtained from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) which can be administered orally, through intranasal, intravenous, inhalation, chewing, snorting and smoking. Quarcoo (2003) and Michael (2001) described colanut as the seed of several types of evergreen trees that are native to West Africa and cultivated extensively in the American tropics. In Africa, cola-nut is chewed locally as a stimulant. Tobacco is a plant whose leaves are used chiefly in making cigarettes, cigars and snuffs that contains small amounts of nicotine. Stimulant use and abusive behaviours are problem inducing. A common feature of abusive behaviour is that they involve a loss of self-control; that is, the substance gains control over the individual's behaviour. …