Substâncias psicoativas e o consumo entre acadêmicos: um estudo narrativo

Abstract

Objective: To identify in the literature whether the consumption of psychoactive substances is a relevant practice among healthcare students. Methodology: Narrative literature review with a time frame from 2018 to 2023. Data search was conducted in the Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), Periódicos CAPES, and electronic databases: Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO). Twelve articles were selected. Results: The most highlighted consequences related to the use of psychoactive substances, in 50% of the articles, were risky behaviors such as involvement in fights, illegal actions, car accidents, and unprotected sex, as well as chemical dependence that could lead to hospitalization. 41.6% reported that, from entering higher education, students are more susceptible to the use of psychoactive drugs. Alcohol is the most consumed psychoactive substance among students, followed by tobacco and marijuana. Publications provided little information about strategies developed by higher education institutions (HEIs) regarding the prevention and coping with the indiscriminate use of psychotropics in the academic environment. Final Considerations: The consumption of psychoactive substances among students is common but for different motivations. Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the three most used drugs, confirming data from the World Health Organization (WHO). It is necessary to implement preventive actions for risk behaviors that cause harm and vulnerabilities, focus ing on the individual who consumes, not just on what is being consumed.