To estimate the prevalence of psychostimulant use in French medical undergraduate and postgraduate students, associated consumption behaviors and motives.

A population-based cross-sectional study using a self-administered online survey.

A total of 1718 French students and physicians (mean age 26.84 ± 7.19 years, 37.1% male).

Self-reported lifetime use, motives, socio-demographic and academic features for other the counter (OTC), medically prescribed (MPP), and Illicit (IP) psychostimulant users.

Lifetime prevalence of psychostimulant use was 33% (29.7% for OTC, 6.7% for MPP and 5.2% for IP). OTC consumption mainly aimed at increasing wakefulness during competitive exams preparation and internship. OTC consumption was twice more frequent among users of other psychostimulants (MPP and/or IP). Most of OTC consumers began their consumption during exam preparation. Corticoids were the most frequently consumed MPP (4.5%) before methylphenidate and modafinil (1.5% and 0.8%, respectively). Unlike corticoids, methylphenidate and modafinil prescriptions are tightly regulated in France. Motives for MPP consumption were increased academic performance/concentration–memory and wakefulness. in that respect, restrictions on methylphenidate and modafinil prescriptions seem to be effective at limiting misuse. Corticoids were mostly consumed by interns seeking for wakefulness. Overall, 5.2% of the subjects consumed at least once IP, mostly cocaine and amphetamine derivatives. They sought euphoria and/or novelty.

Psychostimulant use is common among French undergraduate students, interns and postgraduate physicians. The type of drug used seems to depend mainly on product availability. increased rates of corticoids consumption for wakefulness purposes suggest another potential public health problem, as corticoids may have severe side effects.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.