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. 2021 Jan 25;11:631792. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.631792

Table 5.

Examples of influences associated with prescription stimulant NMU among interview respondents (n = 23).

Influence of prescription stimulant NMU on illicit substance use
•  Oh of course it did. Because it has opened up a world to me of not feeling pain. So, of course I was open to the idea of trying to have the feeling that this thing worked so well that I might as well see what else is out there
•  Experience with methylphenidate product influenced me to try other ‘speedy sort of drugs’, in particular cocaine
•  Methylphenidate product was a substitute for cocaine high
•  Amphetamine product helped with studying and cramming purposes, partying, enhancing marijuana and alcohol intake, could drink more and party longer
Influence of illicit substances on prescription stimulant NMU
•  When (I) couldn't get cocaine (I) would inject prescription stimulants to try and chase that “cocaine high”
•  The biggest influence for me to start snorting …was my marijuana use was extreme. I was using the amphetamine product to enhance that and get a little bit higher from it. And this all probably played into it as well. But I was having severe depression symptoms and I was kind that was a coping mechanism although temporary
Influence of prescription stimulant NMU on other prescription stimulant NMU
•  Positive experience with amphetamine products led me to be curious/try other prescription stimulants/fun habit/Positive experience with long-acting amphetamine products led me to try other time release stimulants
•  Curious to see how it (methylphenidate product) felt compared to amphetamine product
•  Wanted to find something to avoid sundowning/effect of amphetamine product wearing off
•  Crushed them and snorted or crushed them and ate them….because I was cramming for a test. Extra schoolwork
•  I was looking for an effect similar to amphetamine product and I was looking for sort of a potent something to keep me awake. It's something to keep me focused while I was doing work and that's why I snorted it instead of swallowing it which I felt like would be a less potent dose
•  Experience with amphetamine product influenced the use of other prescription stimulants as a result of amphetamine product getting too expensive for regular use
•  Amphetamine product made more comfortable taking prescription stimulants. So, if preference wasn't available, felt pretty comfortable going to another prescription stimulant
•  Well yes I did. I suppose if anything it made me more want to acquire amphetamine product to keep with that and have a more consistent supply because I saw the value of it both for academically and for partying