The Pattern of Direct and Instrumental Motivation for Illicit Substance Use

Understanding the motivation for illicit substance use seems to be one of the most important contemporary issues that may improve prevention strategies. This study examines the structure of motivation for using illicit substances among undergraduates. The study sample comprised 458 lifetime drug users among second-year university students. Data on use of illicit substances in the last month, in relation to motives and socio-demographic covariates (i.e., gender, faculty, living arrangements, and place of residence), revealed numerous significant effects. The outcomes of logistic regression showed that distinction between direct and instrumental motivation can be useful in predicting psychoactive substance use.