Characterizing adolescent prescription misusers: a population-based study

Behavioural patterns and dangers: a mixed-methods exploration of simultaneous polysubstance use and intervention strategies among Swiss adolescents

BACKGROUND

Recent trends in Switzerland indicate a concerning rise in simultaneous polysubstance use among adolescents, a practice marked by the concurrent or sequential consumption of multiple psychoactive substances, notably alcohol and cannabis, alongside prescription medications (e.g. benzodiazepines) and illicit drugs, resulting in dozens of fatal outcomes. However, data on simultaneous polysubstance use and evidence-based approaches to effective prevention is lacking.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to explore and gain insights into use patterns, use settings, use motives, harm-reduction strategies, concerns associated with substance use, and support and counselling services from the point of view of adolescents practicing simultaneous polysubstance use in Switzerland.

METHODS

An exploratory study was conducted via an online survey (n = 116) and two focus group discussions with affected Swiss adolescents aged 14 to 20. A mixed-methods approach was applied to gain insights and better understand the phenomenon of simultaneous polysubstance use among Swiss adolescents. Quantitative survey data obtained between November 2021 and March 2023 by means of convenience sampling - organised by distributing flyers (in three national languages) among several project partners, on the internet, over social media and by word of mouth - was analysed descriptively, whereas qualitative survey data and focus group data were thematically explored. A concurrent nested design was employed, utilising quantitative findings as a core foundation for addressing research questions, while qualitative findings were instrumental in validating and providing contextual depth to the results.

RESULTS

Our findings reveal a preference of the sample for combining alcohol with cannabis and/or other substances (e.g. benzodiazepines or hard drugs) in social settings, driven by diverse motives, including enhancement of experiences and partly maladaptive coping mechanisms leading to self-medication. Despite some awareness of the potential harms, there is a significant reliance on peer-shared strategies for harm reduction, highlighting a gap in formal support and counselling services, some of which are perceived by adolescents as lacking empathy and relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the urgency of developing targeted, youth-centred interventions that resonate with the lived realities of adolescents, aiming not only to reduce substance use but also to address the broader psychosocial factors contributing to simultaneous polysubstance use. By shedding light on the complex dynamics of adolescent polysubstance use, our research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on effective prevention strategies, advocating for a holistic approach encompassing education, policy reform and community support to tackle this multifaceted public health challenge.

Association of receiving opioid medication-assisted treatment with sexual identity and mental health/substance use disorder symptoms in a nationally representative sample of adults

Background

Although the literature suggests that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, limited studies have assessed the prevalence or the association between MAT use and sexual identity, mental health, or substance use disorder among a nationally representative sample. We assessed the prevalence and association of opioid MAT use between sexual identity, depressive disorder symptoms, alcohol use dependence, and marijuana use dependence in the United States.

Methods

We used the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health public-use data on adults aged 18-64 years (N = 38,841) to conduct a weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 4.80% and 2.32% of the population identified as bisexual and lesbian/gay, respectively. About 0.31% (612,750 people) of the population reported receiving opioid MAT, 3.73% had alcohol use dependence, 1.42% had marijuana use dependence, and 9.13% had major depressive episode (MDE) symptoms. Of those who had received opioid MAT, 0.57% were bisexuals and 1.07% were lesbians/gays, 0.65% were people with alcohol use dependence, 2.32% with marijuana use dependence, and 1.59% with MDE symptoms. Lesbian/gay individuals were more likely to receive opioid MAT (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.42, 8.25) compared to heterosexual individuals. The odds were higher for people with marijuana use dependence (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.47, 8.06) and MDE symptoms (AOR = 5.22, 95% CI = 3.46, 7.89) than their counterparts.

Conclusions

In this study, sexual minorities, people with MDE symptoms, and those dependent on marijuana use were more likely to receive opioid MAT, suggesting the need to investigate further opioid use disorder symptoms and their risk factors among these populations.

Misuse of Prescription Opioids and Suicidal Behaviors Among Black Adolescents: Findings from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

PURPOSE

Although some studies have examined the association between prescription opioid misuse and mental health outcomes, few have investigated the effects of prescription opioid misuse on suicidal behaviors among Black adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional association between prescription opioid misuse and suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt among Black adolescents.

METHODS

Data for this study came from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 4798 Black adolescents aged 14-18 years (51.2% female) was analyzed using binary logistic regression. The outcome variables investigated were suicidal ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt, and the main explanatory variable was prescription opioid misuse.

RESULTS

Of the 4798 Black adolescents, 15% reported ever misusing prescription opioids; 16.2% experienced suicidal ideation; 14% made a suicide plan; and 11.3% attempted suicide during the past 12 months. In the multivariate logistic regression models, Black adolescents who misused prescription opioids had 1.39 times higher odds of making a suicide plan and 1.65 times higher odds of making a suicide attempt during the past 12 months when compared to their counterparts who did not misuse prescription opioids. Other significant factors associated with suicidal behaviors include female sex, school bullying, cyberbullying, depressive symptoms, and illicit drug use. In addition, physical activity had a protective effect on suicide attempt.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study demonstrate the effects of prescription opioid misuse and its association with suicidal behaviors among Black adolescents.

Social-Ecological Predictors of Opioid Use Among Adolescents With Histories of Substance Use Disorders

Adolescent opioid misuse is a public health crisis, particularly among clinical populations of youth with substance misuse histories. Given the negative and often lethal consequences associated with opioid misuse among adolescents, it is essential to identify the risk and protective factors underlying early opioid misuse to inform targeted prevention efforts. Understanding the role of parental risk and protective factors is particularly paramount during the developmental stage of adolescence. Using a social-ecological framework, this study explored the associations between individual, peer, family, community, and school-level risk and protective factors and opioid use among adolescents with histories of substance use disorders (SUDs). Further, we explored the potential moderating role of poor parental monitoring in the associations between the aforementioned risk and protective factors and adolescent opioid use. Participants included 294 adolescents (M _age = 16 years; 45% female) who were recently discharged from substance use treatment, and their parents (n = 323). Results indicated that lifetime opioid use was significantly more likely among adolescents endorsing antisocial traits and those whose parents reported histories of substance abuse. Additionally, adolescents reporting more perceived availability of substances were significantly more likely to report lifetime opioid use compared to those reporting lower perceived availability of substances. Results did not indicate any significant moderation effects of parental monitoring on any associations between risk factors and lifetime opioid use. Findings generally did not support social-ecological indicators of opioid use in this high-risk population of adolescents, signaling that the social-ecological variables tested may not be salient risk factors among adolescents with SUD histories. We discuss these findings in terms of continuing care options for adolescents with SUD histories that target adolescents' antisocial traits, perceived availability of substances, and parent histories of substance abuse, including practical implications for working with families of adolescents with SUD histories.

Evaluating Opioid Dispensing Rates among Pediatrics and Young Adults based on CURES Data Reporting in California from 2015-2019

Background

Receipt of opioid prescriptions in pediatric and young adult patients may be a risk factor for future opioid misuse. Data from prescription drug monitoring programs provide insight on outpatient opioid use. In our study, we analyzed the opioid dispensing rates for pediatrics and young adults in California.

Methods

A secondary analysis was performed from 2015-2019 using Controlled Utilization Review and Evaluation System data. This database provides dispensing data of controlled substances in California. Patients younger than 25 years who were prescribed opiates were analyzed by county. We further divided them into two groups (children: ≤14 years; adolescents and young adult: 15-24 years). Descriptive statistics and heat maps were used to illustrate the trends in opioid usage among different age groups.

Results

The overall percentages for the number of opioids being dispensed to patients aged <25 years have decreased over the past four years. In 2015, 6 out of 58 counties in California were considered "high-rate" with >2.9% of opioids dispensed to patients younger than 25 years old; in 2019, this number reduced to zero. Patients 25 and older received a higher proportion of opioids compared to younger populations; in 2019, 35.91% of opioids were dispensed to patients 45-64, and 8.92% to patients younger than 25.

Conclusion

Pediatric opioid prescriptions have declined over the recent years. However, a high degree of variability of prescription rates between demographic counties was noted. More studies are warranted in order to understand this discrepancy in opioid prescribing among pediatric and young adult patients.

Sources of prescription opioids and tranquilizers for misuse among U.S. young adults: differences between high school dropouts and graduates and associations with adverse outcomes

Background and Objectives: Prior research has identified that sources of prescription drugs for misuse vary based on educational attainment, which is important as certain sources are associated with adverse outcomes. The current research addressed limitations of the extant literature by creating distinct categories of push factors for high school dropout (e.g., negative school performance/experiences), pull factors for high school dropout (e.g., starting a family or getting a job), and high school graduates who did not attend college.Methods: Using data from the 2009-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, prevalence of sources were estimated and design-based multivariable logistic regression investigated the association between sources and educational attainment. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression assessed the associations between sources and adverse outcomes (i.e., substance use, substance use disorders, and mental health) separately for each educational category.Results: College respondents were more likely to report "physician" and free from "friend/relative" and less likely to report "purchased" as sources. For most educational categories, "purchasing" prescription drugs was associated with adverse outcomes. Additionally, "theft/fake" prescription emerged as a source associated with adverse outcomes for college respondents, while "friend/relative" was associated with adverse outcomes for high school graduates that did not go on to college.Conclusions: This research has important clinical implications as it identified young adults with a college education as being less likely to obtain prescription drugs from sources known to be associated with adverse outcomes. It also highlighted how associations between sources and adverse outcomes vary based on educational attainment.

Differences in Prescription Stimulant Misuse Motives Across Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States

OBJECTIVE

While prescription stimulant misuse (PSM) is common in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), PSM motives are poorly understood. This study examined a number of PSM motives across the AYA age spectrum using the 2015-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

METHODS

In all, 86,918 AYAs (aged 14-25 years) were included. Individual PSM motives (eg, to study) and motive categories (ie, cognitive enhancement only, recreational only, weight loss only, and combined motives) were examined by age. Logistic regression models examined links between individual motives or motive categories and educational status, substance use, DSM-IV substance use disorders (SUD), and mental health correlates.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found across AYAs in cognitive enhancement only (14 years = 40.4%; 24 and 25 years = 71.2%; P < .0001) and recreational only (14 years = 25.8%; 24 and 25 years = 9.8%; P < .0001) or combined PSM motives, (14 years = 32.3%; 24 and 25 years = 18.0%; P = .008); college students and graduates had particularly high rates of cognitive enhancement only (college = 78.2%; graduates = 74.7%; non-college = 63.5%). Recreational-only and combined motives were significantly elevated in AYAs with any past-year SUD, especially to get high (78%-136% higher in those with SUD; P ≤ .001). While any PSM was associated with higher odds of SUD and mental health outcomes, including suicidal ideation, odds were highest for recreational or combined motives.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive enhancement with PSM occurs more often in young adults compared to adolescents, college students endorse more cognitive enhancement than those not in school, and the presence of any PSM in AYAs is linked to more substance use, suicidal ideation, and other psychopathology. PSM prevention in adolescents as well as screening and intervention among AYA is highly recommended.

Prescription Drug Misuse: Taking a Lifespan Perspective

Prescription drug misuse (PDM), or medication use without a prescription or in ways not intended by the prescriber, is a notable public health concern, especially in the United States. Accumulating research has characterized PDM prevalence and processes, but age-based or lifespan changes in PDM are understudied. Given age-based differences in the medical or developmental concerns that often underlie PDM, it is likely that PDM varies by age. This review summarizes the literature on PDM across the lifespan, examining lifespan changes in prevalence, sources, motives and correlates for opioid, stimulant, and tranquilizer/sedative (or benzodiazepine) PDM. In all, prevalence rates, sources and motives vary considerably by age group, with fewer age-based differences in correlates or risk factors. PDM prevalence rates tend to decline with aging, with greater use of physician sources and greater endorsement of self-treatment motives in older groups. Recreational motives (such as to get high) tend to peak in young adulthood, with greater use of peer sources or purchases to obtain medication for PDM in younger groups. PDM co-occurs with other substance use and psychopathology, including suicidality, across age groups. The evidence for lifespan variation in PDM is strongest for opioid PDM, with a need for more research on tranquilizer/sedative and stimulant PDM. The current literature is limited by the few studies of lifespan changes in PDM within a single sample, a lack of longitudinal research, little research addressing PDM in the context of polysubstance use, and little research on minority groups, such as sexual and gender minorities.

Educational attainment and prescription drug misuse: The importance of push and pull factors for dropping out

PURPOSE

Young adults who do not complete high school are at increased risk for substance use and offending behavior. A limitation of this research is that dropouts are often treated as a homogeneous group, which ignores the various push (e.g., academic failure or disciplinary problems) and pull (e.g., family responsibility or economic need) factors for leaving school.

METHODS

The current study relies on multiple years of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2009-2014) and examines several dependent variables, including prevalence of prescription drug misuse, frequent prescription drug misuse, and prescription drug-related substance use disorder symptoms. We assess the importance of push and pull factors for dropping out, and compare dropouts to respondents who completed school.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analyses produce two important findings. First, push factors increase the risk of various types of prescription drug misuse compared to pull factors. Additionally, respondents who attend college are at a decreased risk for various types of prescription opioid and sedative/tranquilizer misuse and disorder.

DISCUSSION

The current research identifies important differences in prescription drug misuse and disorders among dropouts based on the reason they left school. Additionally, college attendance appears to be a strong protective factor.

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

BACKGROUND

This study sought to examine the occurrence of the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate) in a university sample and their associated physical and mental health correlates, including potential relationships with risky sexual practices.

METHODS

A 156-item anonymous online survey was distributed via e-mail to a sample of 9449 university students. Current use of alcohol and drugs, psychological and physical status, and academic performance were assessed, along with questionnaire-based measures of impulsivity and compulsivity.

RESULTS

A total of 3421 participants (59.7% female) were included in the analysis. 6.7% of the sample reported current/recent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants, while an additional 5.8% reported misuse in the past. Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants was associated with lower grade point averages, and with taking a broad range of other drugs (including alcohol, nicotine, illicit substances, and consumption of caffeinated soft drinks). Nonmedical use of stimulants was also significantly associated with impulsivity (Barratt scale), prior treatment for substance use problems, and elevated occurrence of disordered gambling, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety; but not depression symptoms or binge-eating disorder (though it was associated with using drugs to lose weight). The relationship with probable attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on screening was not significant but was numerically elevated. Finally, those using nonmedical prescribed stimulants were significantly more sexually active (including at a younger age), and were less likely to use barrier contraception.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants is common in young adults and has profound public health associations including with a profundity of other drug use (licit and illicit), certain mental health diagnoses (especially gambling, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder ), worse scholastic performance, and riskier sexual practices. The majority of people with nonmedical use of prescription stimulants do not have ADHD, and its link with current ADHD symptoms was less marked than for certain other disorders. Clinicians should screen for the misuse of prescription stimulants as they may be associated with a range of problematic behaviors. Risk of diversion (which may be higher for those living in shared accommodation and those with substance use disorder history) merits careful assessment before prescribing stimulant medication.

Addressing the context and consequences of substance use, misuse, and dependence: A global imperative

In an Editorial, Guest Editors Alexander Tsai, Margarita Alegria and Steffanie Strathdee discuss the accompanying Special Issue on Substance Use, Misuse and Dependence.

Alcohol use and consequences in matriculating US college students by prescription stimulant/opioid nonmedical misuse status

BACKGROUND

US college students have elevated prescription opioid and stimulant misuse rates, with frequent alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences (ARCs). To date, though, no research has examined relationships between opioid and/or stimulant misuse and alcohol quantity/frequency or ARC variables in college students.

METHODS

The 2016-17 AlcoholEDU for College™, a web-based alcohol prevention program, provided data (n = 491,849). Participants were grouped into past 14-day: (1) no misuse; (2) opioid misuse only; (3) stimulant misuse only; and (4) combined misuse. Using multilevel logistic regressions, groups were compared on 14-day alcohol use odds, and among those with use, odds of any ARCs and specific ARCs (e.g., hangover). Multilevel negative binomial regressions compared group members with alcohol use on 14-day total drinks, maximum 24-h drinks and drinking days.

RESULTS

Alcohol use and any ARCs odds were highest in the stimulant (odds ratios [OR] = 3.47 and 2.97, respectively) or opioid misuse only groups (ORs = 3.31 and 2.43, respectively), with the combined misuse group intermediate (ORs = 1.63 and 1.29; reference: no misuse). Mean 14-day drinks decreased from those with combined misuse, to those with stimulant misuse only, opioid misuse only and no misuse (8.22, 7.1, 6.67, and 4.71, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

College students engaged in 14-day stimulant and/or opioid misuse had higher odds of 14-day alcohol use, higher levels of alcohol use, and a greater likelihood of ARCs, versus students without misuse. These findings suggest that college students with any prescription misuse need alcohol screening, although those with poly-prescription misuse may not need more intensive alcohol interventions.

Persistence of extra-medical prescription pain reliever use and alcohol involvement among United States 12-20 year olds

The peak risk of first extramedical use of prescription pain relievers (PPRs) is in mid-adolescence, often after underage drinking has begun. This research aims to investigate discrete classes of similar young people based on their newly incident extramedical use of PPR and alcohol involvement, with empirical evaluation of the underlying structure of identified subgroups and their epidemiological distributions in the United States. The U.S. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2002-2013, sampled, recruited, and assessed 24,789 newly incident extramedical PPR users ages 12-20 years, with self-interviews on PPR, alcohol, and covariates. Latent classes of persistence were formed using PPR and alcohol status variables. Then, age and sex were studied as potentially important predictors of class membership. Analysis-weighted estimates and delta method variances were derived. Three classes were distinguished by extramedical PPR and alcohol use patterns: (a) nonpersistent (79%), (b) intermittent (15%), and (c) persistent (6%). There were no differences across classes by age, but being female was associated with greater odds of being in the intermittent class or persistent class compared to the nonpersistent class. Presenting clinical features of alcohol and/or opioid dependence that have become manifest at or near time of first PPR use can be indicators of persisting in extramedical use of PPR, particularly for young people who have recently started extramedical PPR use. Persistent adolescent and young adult extramedical PPR users require tailored public health prevention and intervention strategies based on their vulnerability to continue use over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

A gender-based analysis of nonmedical prescription opioid use among people who use illicit drugs

BACKGROUND

Research investigating the unique impacts associated with engaging in nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) among males and females who also use illicit drugs is needed.

METHODS

Data were collected between 2013 and 2017 from two linked prospective cohort studies in Vancouver: the At-Risk Youth Study and Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify factors associated with engaging in NMPOU among females and males separately.

RESULTS

Among 1459 participants, 534 were female (37%). Similar proportions of females (46%) and males (48%) engaged in NMPOU at their first visit during the study period. In multivariable analyses, factors associated with NMPOU among both males and females included heroin use, overdose, drug dealing, and difficulty accessing health and social services. Among females, those who engaged in NMPOU were more likely to report Caucasian or white ethnicity, cocaine use, crystal methamphetamine use, and sex work; among males, those who engaged in NMPOU were older, reported crack use and engaged in binge drug use (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of NMPOU was similar among males and females who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, and NMPOU was independently associated with markers of vulnerability among both genders. Findings highlight the need for a comprehensive public health approach to address NMPOU that integrates overdose prevention and reversal services, employment opportunities, and better access to services for both women and men.

Prescription Drug Misuse: Sources of Controlled Medications in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Adolescent controlled prescription drug misuse (PDM) co-occurs with significant consequences, including lower educational achievement, substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms, and psychopathology. Nonetheless, adolescent PDM sources and the prevalence of other substance use, SUD, and mental health outcomes associated with sources remain poorly understood.

METHOD

Data were from the 2009 to 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, including 103,920 adolescents (12-17 years of age). Six mutually exclusive sources were used: physician source only, theft/fake prescription only, friend/relative for free only, purchases only, other source only, or multiple sources. Analyses occurred separately for prescription opioids, stimulants, and tranquilizer/sedatives. PDM source prevalence across adolescents and by sex and school enrollment/engagement were estimated. Adjusted odds of past-year DSM-IV substance-specific SUD, marijuana use, any SUD, major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety diagnosis, mental health treatment, and past-month binge drinking were estimated by source.

RESULTS

Friends/relatives, for free, was the most common source (29.0%-33.2%), followed by physician sources for opioids (23.9%), purchases for stimulants (23.5%), and tranquilizer/sedatives (22.7%). Few school enrollment/engagement differences existed, but female adolescents were more likely to use multiple sources. Over 70% of adolescents using multiple sources had a past-year SUD. Multiple sources, purchases, and theft/fake prescription were more strongly associated with other substance use than physician source use, and multiple source use was linked with MDD.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents using multiple sources, purchases and theft/fake prescriptions have elevated rates of other substance use, SUD and MDD and particularly warrant intervention. Also, adolescents with other SUD and MDD should be screened for PDM and misuse sources.

The epidemiology of benzodiazepine misuse: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Benzodiazepine misuse is a growing public health problem, with increases in benzodiazepine-related overdose deaths and emergency room visits in recent years. However, relatively little attention has been paid to this emergent problem. We systematically reviewed epidemiological studies on benzodiazepine misuse to identify key findings, limitations, and future directions for research.

METHODS

PubMed and PsychINFO databases were searched through February 2019 for peer-reviewed publications on benzodiazepine misuse (e.g., use without a prescription; at a higher frequency or dose than prescribed). Eligibility criteria included human studies that focused on the prevalence, trends, correlates, motives, patterns, sources, and consequences of benzodiazepine misuse.

RESULTS

The search identified 1970 publications, and 351 articles were eligible for data extraction and inclusion. In 2017, benzodiazepines and other tranquilizers were the third most commonly misused illicit or prescription drug in the U.S. (approximately 2.2% of the population). Worldwide rates of misuse appear to be similar to those reported in the U.S. Factors associated with misuse include other substance use, receipt of a benzodiazepine prescription, and psychiatric symptoms and disorders. Benzodiazepine misuse encompasses heterogeneous presentations of motives, patterns, and sources. Moreover, misuse is associated with myriad poor outcomes, including mortality, HIV/HCV risk behaviors, poor self-reported quality of life, criminality, and continued substance use during treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Benzodiazepine misuse is a worldwide public health concern that is associated with a number of concerning consequences. Findings from the present review have implications for identifying subgroups who could benefit from prevention and treatment efforts, critical points for intervention, and treatment targets.

Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use by Parents and Adolescents in the US

BACKGROUND

To date, intergenerational patterns of nonmedical prescription opioid (NMPO) use have not been examined. We investigate the association between parental and adolescent NMPO use in the United States.

METHODS

Data are from 35 000 parent-child dyads with an adolescent aged 12 to 17 years from the 2004-2012 nationally representative National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Using multivariable logistic regression models, we estimated the association between self-reported parental and adolescent lifetime NMPO use, controlling for parental and adolescent use of other drugs, attitudes about drug use, parental and adolescent psychosocial risk factors, and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Controlling for other factors, parental NMPO use was associated with adolescent NMPO use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.56). Mothers' use had a stronger association with adolescent use than fathers' use (aOR 1.62 [95% CI 1.28-2.056] versus aOR 0.98 [95% CI 0.74-1.24]). Associations between parental and adolescent NMPO use did not differ by adolescent sex or race and/or ethnicity. Parental lifetime smoking, low monitoring, and parent-adolescent conflict were uniquely associated with adolescent NMPO use (aOR 1.19-1.24) as were adolescent smoking, marijuana use, depression, delinquency, and perceived schoolmates' drug use (aOR 1.25-1.71). Perceived risk of drug use and religiosity were associated with lower rates of adolescent NMPO use (aOR 0.77-0.93). Use among older adolescents was higher than among younger adolescents (aOR 1.27; 95% CI 1.21-1.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Parent-based interventions targeted at adolescent NMPO use should address parental NMPO use and smoking and promote positive parenting.

Underage drinking, alcohol dependence, and young people starting to use prescription pain relievers extra-medically: A zero-inflated Poisson regression model

Among young people who start using prescription pain relievers (PPRs) for feeling-states such as "to get high" or otherwise beyond boundaries intended by prescribers, the most recent epidemiological incidence estimates show 2%-9% with rapid-onset opioid dependence. In this work, we study recently active underage alcohol dependence as a susceptibility marker and estimate alcohol dependence-associated PPR rates of use, once use starts. In recent U.S. epidemiological samples, we identified 16,125 community-dwelling 12-to-20-year-olds with standardized assessments of both problem drinking and newly incident extra-medical PPR use. We applied zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regressions to estimate (a) alcohol dependence associations with susceptibility-to-persist after the very first occasion of extra-medical PPR use, and (b) the rate of PPR use, conditional on persistence. Underage drinkers with alcohol dependence were more susceptible to persistence in their extra-medical PPR use (p < .001). In addition, given susceptibility-to-persistence, there was an alcohol dependence-associated excess rate of extra-medical PPR use (risk ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.1, 1.6). Using ZIP regressions, we can see that underage alcohol dependence signals membership in a susceptible-to-persistence class of extra-medical PPR users and excess rates of extra-medical use. Underage drinking can be an indicator of greater vulnerability to start and persist in extra-medical use of PPR, particularly if presenting clinical features of alcohol dependence already are seen at or near time of first onset of such PPR use. For alcohol dependence-affected adolescent patients, nondrug pain management plans deserve consideration, with special surveillance if analgesic drugs are prescribed. Implications for genetic susceptibility research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Prescription tranquilizer/sedative misuse prevalence and correlates across age cohorts in the US

BACKGROUND

Prescription tranquilizer/sedative (e.g., alprazolam, zolpidem) misuse (i.e., use in ways not intended by the prescriber or without a prescription) is understudied, with little research identifying misuse correlates. Identification of key correlates could identify subgroups more likely to engage in misuse, allowing for targeted treatment. This work examines tranquilizer/sedative use and misuse prevalence rates and misuse correlates across U.S. age cohorts, using nationally representative data.

METHODS

Data were from the 2015-16 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 114,043). Analyses used design-based logistic regression for past-year tranquilizer/sedative misuse correlates across participants or those engaged in past-year use; past-month misuse correlates were also examined in those with past-year misuse.

RESULTS

Young adults (18-25 years) had the highest prevalence of past-year and past-month tranquilizer/sedative misuse, with 42.8% of those with past-year use also engaged in misuse. Mental health correlates were associated with past-year misuse, while substance use, particularly opioid misuse, was associated with both past-year and past-month misuse. Substance use correlate strength was most likely to vary by age group, with older adults (65 years and older) having fewer significant correlates overall.

CONCLUSIONS

This work highlighted young adults and those with other substance use as most likely to engage in tranquilizer/sedative misuse. In particular, those endorsing suicidality and reporting opioid misuse are a subgroup of concern, given their especially elevated rates of misuse and the increased risk for overdose imparted by tranquilizer/sedative medication. Workplace-based interventions for young adults and school-based universal prevention may be warranted to limit tranquilizer/sedative misuse in these groups.

An age-based analysis of nonmedical prescription opioid use among people who use illegal drugs in Vancouver, Canada

BACKGROUND

Nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is a serious public health problem in North America. At a population-level, previous research has identified differences in the prevalence and correlates of NMPOU among younger versus older age groups; however, less is known about age-related differences in NMPOU among people who use illegal drugs.

METHODS

Data were collected between 2013 and 2015 from two linked prospective cohort studies in Vancouver, Canada: the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS) and the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). Factors independently associated with NMPOU among younger (ARYS) and older (VIDUS) participants were examined separately using bivariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

A total of 1162 participants were included. Among 405 eligible younger participants (Median age = 25; Inter-Quartile Range [IQR]: 22-28), 40% (n = 160) reported engaging in NMPOU at baseline; among 757 older participants (Median age = 48, IQR: 40-55), 35% (n = 262) reported engaging in NMPOU at baseline. In separate multivariate analyses of younger and older participants, NMPOU was positively and independently associated with heroin use (younger: Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.12, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.08-4.68; older: AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 2.08-3.74), drug dealing (younger: AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.58-3.13; older: AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.40-2.49), and difficulty accessing services (younger: AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.04-2.09; older: AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.32-2.29). Among the youth cohort only, NMPOU was associated with younger age (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.19), crack use (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.06-2.30), and binge drug use (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.00-1.97); older participants who engaged in NMPOU were more likely to report crystal methamphetamine use (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.46-2.66), non-fatal overdose (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.20-2.60) and sex work (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.00-2.22).

DISCUSSION

The prevalence of NMPOU is similar among younger and older people who use drugs, and independently associated with markers of vulnerability among both age groups. Adults who engage in NMPOU are at risk for non-fatal overdose, which highlights the need for youth and adult-specific strategies to address NMPOU that include better access to health and social services, as well as a range of addiction treatment options for opioid use. Findings also underscore the importance of improving pain treatment strategies tailored for PWUD.

Transition to drug co-use among adolescent cannabis users: The role of decision-making and mental health

BACKGROUND

Co-use of cannabis and drugs other than cannabis (DOTC) influences the risk of experiencing cannabis disorders. Accordingly, we explored whether speed of transition to drug co-use, the number of DOTC used, and/or being an experimental cannabis-only user, a regular cannabis-only user, or a regular cannabis user who co-uses DOTC (i.e., cannabis-plus user) were associated with decision-making (DM), mental health disorder symptoms, or cannabis use-related characteristics.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline data from a sub-sample of 266 adolescent (ages 14 to 16) cannabis users (CU) participating in an ongoing longitudinal study. Assessments included semi-structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and measures of drug use, DM (measured via the Iowa Gambling Task), mental health disorders, and cannabis use-related problems.

RESULTS

Endorsing a larger number of mood disorders symptoms was associated with being a regular cannabis-plus user rather than a regular cannabis-only user (AOR = 1.08, C.I.95% 1.01, 1.15). Poorer DM was associated with a faster transition to co-use, such that for each one unit increase in DM performance, the years to onset of drug co-use increased by 1% (p = 0.032). Endorsing a larger number of cannabis use-related problems was positively associated with endorsing a larger number of DOTC used (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new evidence on the process of drug co-use among CU. Specifically, mood disorder symptoms were associated with use of DOTC among regular CU. Furthermore, poorer DM was associated with a faster transition to drug co-use. Poorer DM and mood disorder symptoms may aggravate or accelerate the onset of adverse consequences among adolescent CU.

Prescription drug use, misuse and related substance use disorder symptoms vary by educational status and attainment in U.S. adolescents and young adults

BACKGROUND

Prescription drug misuse (PDM) rates are highest in adolescents and young adults. Little research in these high-risk groups has examined PDM differences by educational status or attainment. This investigation attempted to further our understanding of adolescent and young adult prescription drug use and misuse through examining PDM type (i.e., nonmedical misuse, medical misuse and mixed misuse) and substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms from PDM by educational status/attainment.

METHODS

Data were from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, with 13,585 adolescent and 14,553 young adult respondents. Participants were categorized by educational status separately in adolescents and young adults. Outcomes were rates of past-year prescription drug use, PDM, PDM type, and SUD symptoms, with analyses performed separately by age group and for opioids, stimulants and sedatives/tranquilizers. Analyses used logistic regression and controlled for age, race/ethnicity and sex.

RESULTS

In adolescents and across medication classes, the highest rates of any use, PDM, medical misuse, nonmedical misuse and presence of two or more SUD symptoms were seen in those with poor school adjustment or not in school. In young adults, opioid-PDM and related outcomes were more prevalent in those not in school, especially high school dropouts. For stimulants, rates were highest in full-time college students and college graduates.

CONCLUSIONS

These results further suggest the importance of assessing educational status in adolescent and educational attainment in young adult PDM investigations. Adolescents poorly engaged in school or not in school appear especially in need of interventions to limit PDM and associated SUD symptoms.

Past-year prevalence of prescription opioid misuse among those 11 to 30years of age in the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are high levels of prescription and consumption of prescription opioids in the US. Misuse of prescription opioids has been shown to be highly correlated with prescription opioid-related morbidity and mortality including fatal and non-fatal overdose. We characterized the past-year prevalence of prescription opioid misuse among those 11-30years of age in the US.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out following a published protocol and PRISMA guidelines. We searched electronic databases; reports were eligible if they were published between 1/1/1990-5/30/2014, and included data on individuals 11-30years of age from the US. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 3211 abstracts were reviewed for inclusion; after discarding duplicates and identifying non-eligible reports, a total of 19 unique reports, providing 34 estimates, were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. The range of past-year prescription opioid misuse prevalence the reports was 0.7%-16.3%. An increase in prevalence of 0.4% was observed over the years of data collection.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis found a high prevalence of past-year prescription opioid misuse among individuals 11-30years of age. Importantly, we identified an increase in past-year prevalence 1990-2014. Misuse of prescription opioids has played an important role in national increases of fatal and non-fatal drug overdose, heroin use and injection, and HIV and HCV infection among young people. The observed high and increasing prevalence of prescription opioid misuse is an urgent public health issue.

Pediatric Concerns Due to Expanded Cannabis Use: Unintended Consequences of Legalization

An "unintended consequence" of marijuana legalization is the impact on the pediatric population. From prenatal exposure to unintentional childhood exposures, through concerns of adolescence abuse and marijuana use for medicinal indications in children, marijuana exposure can affect pediatric patients at every stage in childhood. Regardless of the stage or reason of exposure, concerns exist about short-term and long-term consequences in a child's physical and mental health. The use of cannabidiol (CBD) may have some benefit for the treatment of epilepsy, but emphasis needs to be on rigorous clinical trials to evaluate efficacy and safety. As more states allow both medical and recreational marijuana, availability and prevalence of use will likely increase and more surveillance and research is needed to evaluate the consequences on the pediatric population.

Longitudinal trajectories of non-medical use of prescription medication among middle and high school students

The non-medical use of prescription medications has been identified as a major public health problem among youth, although few longitudinal studies have examined non-medical use of prescription medications in the context of other drug use. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown gender and race differences in non-medical use of prescription medications. It was hypothesized that (1) non-medical use of prescription medications increases with age, and (2) these increases will be stronger in magnitude among female and Caucasian adolescents. Changes in non-medical use of prescription medications across 4 years were examined and compared with changes in other drug use (e.g., alcohol and marijuana). Middle and high school students enrolled in 5 schools in southeastern Michigan completed web-based surveys at 4 annual time points. The cumulative sample size was 5,217. The sample ranged from 12 to 18 years, 61% were Caucasian, 34% were African American, and 50% were female. Using a series of repeated measures latent class analyses, the trajectories of non-medical use of prescription medications were examined, demonstrating a 2-class solution: (1) the no/low non-medical use of prescription medications group had low probabilities of any non-medical use of prescription medications across all grades, and (2) the any non-medical use of prescription medications group showed a roughly linear increase in the probability of non-medical use of prescription medications over time. The probability of any non-medical use of prescription medications increased during the transition from middle school to high school. Results from this longitudinal study yielded several noteworthy findings: Participants who were classified in the any/high non-medical use of prescription medications group showed a discontinuous pattern of non-medical use of prescription medications over time, indicating that non-medical use of prescription medications is a relatively sporadic behavior that does not persist over time. However, among the "any/high non-medical use of prescription medications" group the pattern of change over time varied by race/ethnicity, with Caucasians showing a clear increase in the probability of non-medical use of prescription medications over time compared to non-Caucasians. This study fills gaps in knowledge by examining non-medical use of prescription medications over time and provides important information about the course of non-medical use of prescription medications among adolescents.

Prevalence and correlates of co-ingestion of prescription tranquilizers and other psychoactive substances by U.S. high school seniors: Results from a national survey

INTRODUCTION

Nonmedical tranquilizer use (NMTU) is a concerning and understudied phenomenon in adolescents, despite being the second most prevalent form of nonmedical use in this population. Thus, this work aimed to examine the sociodemographic and substance use correlates of past-year co-ingestion of a prescription tranquilizer and another substance among adolescents.

METHODS

Data were from the Monitoring the Future study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. high school students. Data from 11,444 seniors (12th graders) completing form 1 of the survey were used. The participants represented a population that was 52.7% female, 61.8% White, and had a modal age of 18. Weighted frequencies and Rao-Scott chi-square analyses were computed to describe the target population and examine associations of interest.

RESULTS

An estimated 5.3% of the population engaged in past-year NMTU during this time period, with an estimated 72.6% of those users engaged in past-year co-ingestion of a tranquilizer and another substance. Marijuana and alcohol were the most commonly co-ingested substances. Those engaged in co-ingestion were more likely than past-year nonmedical users without co-ingestion to be engaged in other substance or nonmedical use (including past year nonmedical Xanax® (alprazolam) use), have an earlier onset of NMTU, and endorse recreational motives.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent nonmedical tranquilizer users engaged in co-ingestion may be a particularly vulnerable population, with higher rates of other substance use, other nonmedical use and problematic NMTU characteristics than nonmedical users without co-ingestion. Identification of and intervention with adolescent co-ingestion users are important avenues for future research and clinical practice.

Predictors and consequences of prescription drug misuse during middle school

OBJECTIVES

Non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is a growing public health problem among adolescents. This is the first study to examine the correlates of early NMPDU initiation during middle school, and how early initiation is associated with four domains of functioning in high school (mental health, social, academic, and delinquency).

METHODS

Students initially in 6th-8th grades from 16 middle schools completed in-school surveys between 2008 and 2011 (Waves 1-5), and a web-based survey in 2013-2014 (Wave 6). We used discrete time survival analysis to assess predictors of initiation from Waves 1 to 5 based on students who provided NMPDU information at any of these waves (n=12,904), and regression analysis to examine high school outcomes associated with initiation based on a sample that was followed into high school, Wave 6 (n=2539).

RESULTS

Low resistance self-efficacy, family substance use, low parental respect, and offers of other substances from peers were consistently associated with NMPDU initiation throughout middle school. Further, perceiving that more of one's peers engaged in other substance use was associated with initiation at Wave 1 only. By high school, those students who initiated NMPDU during middle school reported lower social functioning, and more suspensions and fighting, compared to students who did not initiate NMPDU during middle school.

CONCLUSION

NMPDU initiation during middle school is associated with poorer social functioning and greater delinquency in high school. It is important for middle school prevention programs to address NMPDU. Such programs should focus on both family and peer influences, as well as strengthening resistance self-efficacy.

Variations in parental monitoring and predictions of adolescent prescription opioid and stimulant misuse

OBJECTIVE

This study examined relations between adolescents' family structures, social ties, and drug-related attitudes, and their misuse of prescription opioids and stimulants. Different relationships were anticipated for the substances based on prior research highlighting varying motivations for their use.

METHOD

Based on an earlier model of adolescent substance misuse, two path analytic models were tested using data from 12 to 17 year olds in the 2012 U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH: N=17,399).

RESULTS

Female respondents reported higher levels of parental warmth, as did youth from wealthier families. Greater parental monitoring was reported by adolescents from wealthier and intact families. Parental monitoring and warmth predicted adolescents' social ties and individual differences associated with drug use, and both variables predicted prescription opioid and stimulant misuse. Contrary to previous research, for adolescents aged 12 to 14, high levels of parental monitoring, while positively associated with attitudes and social ties, also predicted higher rates of prescription stimulant misuse when combined with low levels of parental warmth. Results were cross-validated with data from the 2011 NSDUH.

CONCLUSIONS

Analyses highlighted the importance of understanding and differentiating the underlying factors associated with adolescent prescription stimulant and opioid misuse, and the role of parental behaviors in prevention.

Data Sources Regarding the Nonmedical Use of Pharmaceutical Opioids in the United States

OBJECTIVE

Recent increases in the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids and the adverse outcomes associated with them have stimulated a large amount of research and data collection on this public health problem. Systematic organization of the available data sources is needed to facilitate ongoing research, analysis, and evaluation. This work offers a systematic categorization of data sources regarding the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in the United States.

METHODS

A list of keywords regarding the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids was used to conduct systematic searches in PubMed®. Filtration of search results generated 92 peer-reviewed academic articles, published between January 1995 and April 2012, as well as a number of primary data sources. Lists of topics were developed independently by two researchers which were later compared and consolidated. All sources were then categorized according to their relevance to each of these topics and according to their capacity for geographical and longitudinal trend analysis.

RESULTS

Tables cataloging data sources can be used to identify data relevant to specific topics in diversion, nonmedical use, and adverse outcomes associated with pharmaceutical opioids, and they illustrate global trends in data coverage, identifying several topics that have minimal data. A network diagram illustrates global trends in data coverage, showing variation among sources in the number of topics they cover, as well as variation among topics in the number of sources that cover them.

CONCLUSIONS

The categorization of data sources is hoped to facilitate ongoing research, analysis, and evaluation of this public health problem by serving as a guide for researchers, policy makers, and others who seek data regarding the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids in the United States.

A prospective study of adolescents' nonmedical use of anxiolytic and sleep medication

The purpose of this longitudinal study (N = 2,745) was to determine whether adolescents' recent medical use of anxiolytic or sleep medication was associated with increased incidence of using someone else's prescription for these classes of medication (nonmedical use). Data were collected from adolescents attending 5 Detroit area secondary schools between December and April in 3 consecutive academic years between 2009 and 2012. Respondents were assigned to the following 3 mutually exclusive groups for the analyses: (1) never prescribed anxiolytic or sleep medication (in their lifetime); (2) prescribed anxiolytic or sleep medication in their lifetime, but not during the study period; or (3) prescribed anxiolytic or sleep medication during the study period. Almost 9% of the sample had received a prescription for anxiolytic or sleep medication during their lifetime, and 3.4% had received at least 1 prescription during the 3-year study period. Compared with adolescents never prescribed anxiolytic or sleep medication, adolescents prescribed these medicines during the study period were 10 times more likely to engage in nonmedical use for reasons such as "to get high" or "to experiment" (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj.] = 10.15; 95% CI [3.97-25.91]), and 3 times more likely to engage in nonmedical use to self-treat anxiety or to sleep (ORadj. = 3.24; 95% CI [1.67-6.29]). Adolescents prescribed anxiolytics during their lifetime but not during the 3-year study were 12 times more likely to use another's anxiolytic medication, compared with adolescents never prescribed anxiolytics (ORadj. = 12.17; 95% CI [3.98-37.18]). These risk factors have significant implications for later substance use problems.

The Association between Non-Medical Prescription Drug Use and Suicidal Behavior among United States Adolescents

Adolescence represents a vulnerable time for the development of both drug use/abuse and mental illness. Although previous research has substantiated a relationship between drug use and suicidal behavior, little research has examined this relationship with non-medical prescription drug use. Given the growing prevalence of non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) among adolescents, this study explored the association between NMPDU and suicidal behavior. Nationally representative data were derived from 16, 410 adolescents who completed the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Approximately 19.8% of participants reported lifetime NMPDU. NMPDU was associated with significantly increased odds of suicidal behavior (P < 0.01), with seriously considering attempting suicide and making a plan about attempting suicide representing the strongest correlates for males and females. Results suggest the importance of 1) continued reinforcement of drug education programs in high school begun at earlier ages and 2) mental health care and screenings among adolescents.

Prescription drug misuse among homeless youth

BACKGROUND

Prescription drug misuse (PDM) is highly prevalent among youth in the U.S., and can have serious health consequences. Homeless youth are a particularly vulnerable population with high rates of substance use. However, PDM has not been studied in a sample comprised exclusively of homeless youth.

METHODS

A sample of 451 homeless youth recruited from drop-in centers in Los Angeles, CA, provided information on substance use, mental health, service utilization, trauma, and sexual risk behavior. Multivariable logistic regression assessed correlates of past month PDM.

RESULTS

Nearly 50% reported lifetime PDM and 21.6% reported PDM in the past month. The most frequently used prescriptions in the past month were: opioids only (24.5%), sedatives only (23.4%), and stimulants only (10.6%); 14.9% used some combination of these three types of prescription medications. Homeless youth reported that prescriptions were most commonly obtained for free from friends or relatives (24.5%). Foster care involvement was associated with decreased PDM, while hard drug use, suicidal ideation, and unprotected sex were associated with increased PDM.

CONCLUSIONS

Homeless youth report high rates of PDM, and access these medications most frequently from friends and family. PDM among homeless youth clusters with other risk factors, including hard drug use, unprotected sex, and suicidal ideation. Surprisingly, foster care history was associated with decreased PDM. Programs aimed at preventing PDM among homeless youth should recognize the clustering of risk behaviors, assess prescription use/access when providing mental health services, and educate the general public about proper disposal of prescriptions.

Mitigating the risk of opioid abuse through a balanced undergraduate pain medicine curriculum

Chronic pain is highly prevalent in the United States and Canada, occurring in an estimated 30% of the adult population. Despite its high prevalence, US and Canadian medical schools provide very little training in pain management, including training in the safe and effective use of potent analgesics, most notably opioids. In 2005, the International Association for the Study of Pain published recommendations for a core undergraduate pain management curriculum, and several universities have implemented pilot programs based on this curriculum. However, when outcomes have been formally assessed, these initiatives have resulted in only modest improvements in physician knowledge about chronic pain and its treatment. This article discusses strategies to improve undergraduate pain management curricula and proposes areas in which those efforts can be augmented. Emphasis is placed on opioids, which have great potency as analgesics but also substantial risks in terms of adverse events and the risk of abuse and addiction. The authors conclude that the most important element of an undergraduate pain curriculum is clinical experience under mentors who are capable of reinforcing didactic learning by modeling best practices.

Adolescents' nonmedical use and excessive medical use of prescription medications and the identification of substance use subgroups

The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of adolescents based on their past 12 months use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs, and nonmedical use and excessive medical use of prescription medications. A cross-sectional Web-based survey of adolescents from two middle and high school districts in Southeastern Michigan was conducted. The sample included 2,744 middle school (7th and 8th grade) and high school (9th through 12th grade) students. Participants had a mean age of 14.8 years (SD = 1.9 years); 50.4% were female, 64.1% were Caucasian, and 30.6% were African American. Participants completed measures of the past 12 months of substance use, parental monitoring, parental substance use, and internalizing and externalizing problems. Exploratory latent class analysis (LCA) indicated four classes. The largest class was composed of participants with low probabilities of using any substances (low/no use class), and the smallest class was composed of participants with relatively high probabilities of using all substances (multiple substances class). A third class included participants with high probabilities of using tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana (TAM). The fourth class consisted of participants with relatively high probabilities of alcohol use, nonmedical prescription drug use, and excessive medical use of prescription drugs (ANM). Female gender predicted membership in the ANM and multiple substance classes, and parental monitoring, parental substance use problems, internalizing, and externalizing problems uniquely predicted membership in all three high-risk risk classes. Results indicated three high-risk subgroups of adolescents, each characterized by a different pattern of substance use. Two risk groups are characterized by relatively high probabilities of nonmedical use and excessive medical use of prescription medications.

Assessing prescription stimulant use, misuse, and diversion among youth 10-18 years of age

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Assessing the medical and nonmedical use (NMU) of stimulants and diversion is a challenge, especially among youth, with different methods for recruitment and definitions of NMU. The field needs inexpensive, yet effective and reliable, methods of data collection to understand the prescription drug use problem. Most studies of youth are school or web-based, and conducted with teens.

RECENT FINDINGS

The National Monitoring of Adolescent Prescription Stimulants Study recruited 11,048 youth 10-18 years of age from urban, rural, and suburban areas in 10 US cities using an entertainment venue intercept study. This review discusses the effectiveness of the method and results from four cross-sections as well as the representativeness of the sample. Lifetime prevalence of any stimulant use was 14.8%, with rates highest among rural 16-18 year olds. The rate of last 30-day use was 7.3%, with over half (3.9%) NMU. Nearly 12% of all youth (whether a user or not) reported lifetime incoming/outgoing diversion of prescription stimulants.

SUMMARY

Because no study has focused on stimulant use among youth as young as 10 and 11, this study is a landmark for future comparisons and offers a unique strategy for sampling and data collection.

Characterization of adolescent prescription drug abuse and misuse using the Researched Abuse Diversion and Addiction-related Surveillance (RADARS(®)) System

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics and health effects of adolescent (age 13-19 years) prescription drug abuse and misuse using the Researched Abuse Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS(®)) System.

METHOD

Secondary analysis of data collected from RADARS System participating poison centers was performed. Data for all intentional exposures from 2007 through 2009 were used to describe adolescent prescription opioid (oxycodone, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, methadone, buprenorphine, and tramadol) and stimulant (methylphenidate and amphetamines) exposures.

RESULTS

A total of 16,209 intentional adolescent exposures to prescription drugs were identified, 68% to opioids and 32% to stimulants. The mean age was 16.6 years (SD ± 1.7 years). Slightly more than half (52.4%) of drug mentions involved females. The five most frequently misused or abused drugs were hydrocodone (32%), amphetamines (18%), oxycodone (15%), methylphenidate (14%), and tramadol (11%). Of all exposures, 38% were classified as suspected suicidal. Of adolescents who intentionally exposed themselves to prescription drugs, 30% were treated in a health care facility, 2,792 of whom were admitted to the hospital, including 1,293 to the intensive care unit. A total of 17.2% of intentional exposures were associated with no effect, 38.9% minor effects, 23.3% moderate effects, 3.6% major effects, and 0.1% were associated with death. Oxycodone and methadone were associated with the most deaths. No deaths were associated with exposures to stimulants.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescription drug misuse and abuse poses an important health problem and results in thousands of hospitalizations of adolescents per year. Further work is needed to develop focused interventions and educational programs to prevent prescription drug abuse and misuse by adolescents.

The misuse of Ambien among adolescents: prevalence and correlates in a national sample

The current research examines correlates of Ambien misuse among adolescents. Given the recent popularity of prescription drug misuse, the known risks associated with prescription drugs, the fact that Ambien is widely prescribed, and the relative lack of research on prescription sedative misuse, we believe this research is important. The current study fills this important gap in the literature by examining data from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which includes a sample of more than 17,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 that is generalizable to the non-institutionalized population of the United States. The prevalence of lifetime Ambien misuse in the sample was 1.4%. The current research identified several significant risk factors for Ambien misuse: age, race, income, religiosity, delinquency, depression, social bonding, peer substance use, attitudes toward substance use, strain, and other substance use. Implications and limitations of the current research are discussed.

Separate and combined psychopharmacological effects of alprazolam and oxycodone in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

There are epidemiological data indicating that medical and/or nonmedical use of prescription opioids oftentimes involves concurrent use of other substances. One of those substances is benzodiazepines. It would be of relevance to characterize the effects of an opioid and a benzodiazepine when taken together to determine if measures related to abuse liability-related effects and psychomotor performance impairment are increased compared to when the drugs are taken alone.

METHODS

Twenty volunteers participated in a crossover, randomized, double-blind study in which they received placebo, 0.5mg alprazolam, 10mg oxycodone, and 0.5mg alprazolam combined with 10 mg oxycodone, all p.o. Subjective, psychomotor, and physiological measures were assessed during each of the four sessions.

RESULTS

Oxycodone by itself increased drug liking and "take again" ratings relative to placebo, but these ratings were not increased when oxycodone was taken with alprazolam, which by itself did not increase either of these ratings. The two drugs in combination produced stronger effects (larger in magnitude or longer lasting) than when either was taken alone on a number of measures, including psychomotor performance impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy volunteers, abuse liability-related subjective effects of oxycodone were not enhanced by alprazolam. There was enhanced behavioral toxicity when the drugs were taken together, and thus, this is of significant concern from a public safety standpoint.

Nonmedical use of prescription medications among adolescents in the United States: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review was to systematically summarize research on nonmedical use of prescription medications (NMUPM) among U.S. adolescents, with specific focus on scheduled medications falling into one of the following drug classes: pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives, or tranquilizers.

METHODS

Databases were searched for peer-reviewed primary quantitative research published between January 2000 and June 2011 on NMUPM among out-of-treatment U.S. adolescents aged 12-17 years (or age 18 if enrolled in high school).

RESULTS

Thirty publications met inclusion criteria. A total of 25 studies were represented; 15 involved nationally representative samples. The prevalence and correlates of NMUPM varied across studies and by drug class. Nonmedical use of pain relievers was more prevalent than for stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Female gender was generally associated with pain reliever use and, to a lesser degree, with tranquilizer use. White adolescents also appeared to have a higher prevalence of NMUPM, although there was some evidence to the contrary. Older age, illicit drug use, and delinquency were consistently associated with NMUPM across studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified several areas for further research, including that of racially/ethnically diverse samples of adolescents, more focus on sedative and tranquilizer use, and longitudinal research to examine temporal patterns in NMUPM and other illicit drug use, delinquency, and substance abuse and dependence.

Predicting adolescents' persistence, non-persistence, and recent onset of nonmedical use of opioids and stimulants

This study sought to distinguish among adolescents who were persistent, non-persistent, or recent onset nonmedical users of prescription opioids and stimulants (respondents' ages ranged from 12-17 years, N=126,764). The multinomial logistic regression analyses of combined data from the 2003 through 2009 National Survey of Drug Use and Health were used to investigate the association of respondents' sex, age, family income, race, parental status, population density, and user status (persistent, non-persistent, recent onset) on common illicit substances (cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants) with opioid and stimulant use. The odds of nonmedical opioid and stimulant use were significantly greater for females than males, and increased with age. Results were mixed for income, race, and parental status. Population density was largely unrelated to nonmedical use. Persistent nonmedical users of common illicit substances, especially marijuana and inhalants, were at greatest risk for nonmedical opioid and stimulant use. Non-persistent use of common illicit substances was a strong predictor of both non-persistent opioid and stimulant use. Recent onset of common substance use predicted recent onset of prescription opioid and stimulant use. Results indicate that persistence may be related to polysubstance use involving prescription opioids and stimulants, supporting efforts to investigate the underlying causes of polysubstance use.

Exploring age of onset as a causal link between major depression and nonmedical use of prescription medications

BACKGROUND

Nonmedical use of prescription medications (NUPM) has been associated with major depression (MDD), but the specific processes by which they might interact and influence one another are understudied. This investigation attempted to clarify the relationship between MDD and NUPM by examining whether age of MDD onset influenced current and past NUPM and by examining whether age of NUPM onset influenced lifetime or past year MDD.

METHODS

These goals were met through use of data from the 2005 to 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Analyses utilized design-based logistic regression, and current age and order of MDD onset and NUPM initiation were examined in interactions with age of MDD or NUPM onset.

RESULTS

For each year MDD onset was delayed, odds of lifetime, past year, past 30-day NUPM and substance dependence from NUPM were decreased by 2.3%, 2.6%, 1.9% and 2.3%, respectively. Earlier NUPM onset increased odds of past year (3.8%) and lifetime MDD (4.3%) in young adults, and lifetime MDD (2.5%) in 26-34 age group. Current age also interacted with age of MDD onset, with effects on NUPM pronounced in the 65 and older cohort. Order of MDD/NUPM onset generally did not interact with age of MDD onset, but it did interact with age of NUPM onset; the effects of NUPM onset on past year MDD were only significant in those with NUPM first.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the need for further investigations of the interactions between depression and NUPM, particularly to evaluate potential causal relationships.

Emerging trends and innovations in the identification and management of drug use among adolescents and young adults

One in four youths aged 12 to 17 years and more than half of young adults aged 18 to 25 years in the United States have used an illicit drug in their lifetime. A significant number progress to problematic use, and only 1 in 10 young people who meet criteria for dependence or abuse receive some form of treatment. Despite advances in the field, effectively intervening along the continuum of drug use involvement remains a challenge. In this article, we review the current epidemiology of illicit drug use by young people; describe recent advances in assessment, intervention and treatment; and highlight how technology can help overcome barriers to effective management of drug use among young people.

Non-medical prescription use increases the risk for the onset and recurrence of psychopathology: results from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

AIMS

Given the rising rates of the non-medical use of prescription medications (NUPM) and strong cross-sectional associations between psychopathology and NUPM, we examined whether a history of NUPM increased the risk for onset and recurrence of psychopathology.

DESIGN

Longitudinal data are from waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcoholism and Related Conditions (NESARC).

SETTING

The NESARC is a nation-wide, household-based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 34,653 US resident participants who completed both NESARC waves were included in analyses.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary measures were history of NUPM and Axis I psychopathology at wave 1. Wave 1 personality disorder diagnosis and sociodemographic characteristics were used as control variables.

FINDINGS

Design-based logistic regression analyses indicated that life-time and past year NUPM at wave 1 increased risk for onset of psychopathology among those with no history of psychopathology at baseline, with particular risk for non-NUPM substance use and bipolar disorders. Life-time and past year NUPM were associated with recurrence of alcohol and non-NUPM substance use disorders among those with these diagnoses at baseline. In contrast, life-time and past year NUPM was associated with the onset of all examined disorders among those with a different diagnosis at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-medical use of prescription medications is a consistent risk factor for the onset and recurrence of psychopathology.

Effects of major depression on crack use and arrests among women in drug court

AIMS

We examined whether a current major depressive episode (MDE) at baseline predicted crack use and arrests at follow-up among women enrolled in drug court.

DESIGN

Primary analyses used zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression analyses to predict both yes/no and number of (i) days of crack use and (ii) arrests at 4-month follow-up from current (30-day) MDE at baseline. Secondary analyses addressed risk conferred by current versus past MDE at baseline.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 261 women in drug court.

MEASUREMENTS

MDE was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Days using crack and number of arrests were assessed using the Washington University Risk Behavior Assessment for Women.

FINDINGS

Having a current MDE at baseline predicted likelihood of crack use at follow-up, but not days of crack use among those who used. Current MDE at baseline did not predict presence or number of arrests at the 4-month follow-up. Women with current MDE at baseline were more likely to be using crack at follow-up than were those with recent (31+ days to 12 months) but not current MDE (odds ratio = 5.71); past MDE at baseline did not increase risk of crack use.

CONCLUSIONS

Predictors of any versus no crack use or arrests appear to differ from predictors of frequency of these behaviors. Current major depression, but not past major depression, appears to be associated with increased risk of crack use among women attending drug court.

Nonmedical prescription stimulant use among college students: why we need to do something and what we need to do

This article summarizes recent research findings on nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and outlines a multi-pronged strategic approach for responding to this unique problem among college students. Students, health professionals, parents, the pharmaceutical industry, and institutions of higher education all play roles in this response. Moreover, the academic community should view the translation of research findings as an important responsibility that can help dispel the myths often perpetuated in the media. The nonmedical use of prescription stimulants is a complex behavior and should be viewed in the larger context of alcohol and drug involvement among young adults. Strategies to reduce nonmedical use of prescription stimulants might have direct application to the abuse of other prescription drugs, including opiates.

Psychotropic medications and substances of abuse interactions in youth

The majority of youth with substance use disorders (SUDs) manifest one or more co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Consequently, many of these youths are being prescribed with psychotropic medications. As prescribing rates continue to increase for early-onset psychiatric disorders, potential risk for substance of abuse-psychiatric medication interactions may be enhanced. Because this type of drug-drug interaction has received little attention in the scientific literature, the authors conducted a systematic literature search examining the potential interactive adverse effects between psychotropic medications and substances of abuse in youth. Regardless of the scarcity of psychotropic medications-substance of abuse interactions found, it is important to stay vigilant due to the continued introduction of new classes of medications as well as the ever-changing map of street drugs.

Sleep and substance use and abuse in adolescents

Substance use disorders and sleep disorders are among the most common psychiatric problems in children and adolescents. They often co-occur and have a significant negative effect upon normal development. This article provides a review of the most recent literature on the relationship between these disorders, along with recommendations on how to recognize and clinically address these disorders in children and adolescents.

Sources of prescriptions for misuse by adolescents: differences in sex, ethnicity, and severity of misuse in a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological data indicate that adolescent prescription misuse rates have risen over the past decade. Despite this, little work has examined sources for opioids, tranquilizers, and stimulants or evaluated sex or ethnic differences or whether different sources correspond to differences in other risk behaviors.

METHOD

Data from the 2005 and 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (adolescent n = 36,992) were used to address these questions. Frequencies and percentages for source categories were calculated, and potential sex and ethnic differences in medication source were evaluated using chi(2) analyses; logistic regression analyses evaluated whether the use of specific sources corresponded to a greater likelihood of concurrent substance use or depressive episodes.

RESULTS

The most common source of medication was from friends or family, for free; other common sources included obtaining medication from a physician, purchasing medication, or theft (usually from friends or relatives). Sex differences were found, predominately for opioids: female patients were more likely to steal medication or obtain it for free; male patients were more likely to purchase medication or acquire it from a physician. White adolescents were more likely to purchase opioids, whereas African American adolescents were more likely to misuse opioids obtained from a physician.

CONCLUSIONS

Across medication classes, adolescents who most recently acquired medication by purchasing it had the worst risk profile in terms of concurrent substance use and severity of prescription misuse. These results may help identify subgroups of adolescent prescription misusers who are most vulnerable to consequences from misuse or other substance use.