Prescription Drugs

2020 ◽  
pp. 293-312
Author(s):  
Darius A. Rastegar
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Muscle Relaxants ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Nonmedical Use ◽  
History Of

A variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs are used for purposes other than intended. Approximately 2% of Americans report current nonmedical use of a prescription drug. Opioids are the class most commonly used for purposes other than intended. Other drugs include sedatives (primarily benzodiazepines); stimulants; and a variety of agents, including clonidine, muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, bupropion, antiemetics, gabapentinoids, and atypical antipsychotics. Over-the-counter drugs associated with nonmedical use include dextromethorphan, loperamide, and antihistamines. The most prominent risk factor for nonmedical use is a history of a substance use disorder. A number of aberrant behaviors are indicative of nonmedical use. Screening instruments may help gauge risk. The most serious complication is overdose, particularly opioid overdose. Strategies to address nonmedical prescription drug use include limiting the prescribing of controlled substances, monitoring patients who are prescribed these medications, and providing treatment for those who have a substance use disorder.

Prescription Drug Abuse in Adolescence

2016 ◽  
pp. 204-230
Author(s):  
Amelia Arria ◽  
Brittany A. Bugbee
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Prescription Drug Abuse ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Nonmedical Use ◽  
New Research ◽  
Drug Problems

Nonmedical use of prescription drugs can pose a variety of serious public health threats. Rapid increases in the use of prescription drugs were observed at the turn of the 21st century and prompted new research and several actions by communities and policymakers. Adolescents and young adults are at heightened risk for this type of substance use. The evidence suggests that nonmedical use of prescription drugs overlaps significantly with alcohol and other drug problems, and it might be a sign of more severe involvement with illicit substance use. This chapter describes the epidemiology, availability and sources, motives, risk factors, and consequences of nonmedical prescription drug use among adolescents and young adults. Special topics include nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and academic performance, associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and mental health, and diversion behavior. Future directions for research and strategies for demand and supply reduction are described.

Prescription opioid use in the rural Appalachia: A community-based study

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Havens, PhD, MPH ◽  
Robert Walker, MSW, LCSW ◽  
Carl G. Leukefeld, DSW
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Nonmedical Use ◽  
Opioid Users

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe the sample characteristics and methods for a study of rural medical and nonmedical prescription opioid users with a history of OxyContin® use.Design and Setting: Snowball sampling was used to recruit 221 rural Appalachian residents. Participants included those under medical supervision for pain (n = 101) as well as those self-reporting nonmedical use of prescription opioids (n = 120). Participants were given an interviewer-administered questionnaire.Outcome measures: Data relating to demographics, illicit and nonmedical prescription drug use, medical, legal, family, and psychiatric status, as well as pain history were collected. The primary outcomes of interest were differences in past 30 day prescription drug use between pain patients and nonmedical opioid users.Results: A significantly greater proportion of those treated for pain reported using oxycodone and hydrocodone prescribed by a physician in the prior 30 days (p < 0.001); however, more than third of pain participants also reported nonmedical use of OxyContin®, methadone, hydrocodone, benzodiazepines, and marijuana in the prior 30 days.Conclusions: A large proportion of rural opioid users who reported being treated for pain also reported nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Similarly, among the nonmedical users, half of those reported experiencing pain that interfered with their daily life. These results suggest that many rural prescription drug users are being either incorrectly or perhaps inadequately treated for chronic nonmalignant pain. Therefore, developing educational materials and training for rural physicians about pain treatment (including drug seeking behavior) is proposed.

What Does the Community Say: Key Informant Perceptions of Rural Prescription Drug Use

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Leukefeld ◽  
Robert Walker ◽  
Jennifer Havens ◽  
Cynthia A. Leedham ◽  
Valarie Tolbert
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Nonmedical Use

This article presents data from four groups of rural Key Informants—Community leaders, educators, health care providers and justice/law enforcement officials—to understand the nonmedical use and misuse of prescription drugs. Seventy key informants were purposively selected from two counties in Appalachian Kentucky. Key informants indicated that the nonmedical use of prescription drugs is complex and has historical roots. Two pathways, or entry points, into the nonmedical use and misuse of prescription drugs were identified: physical pain and recreational use. Data show trends with regard to drug use patterns, drug use education, involvement with the criminal justice system and the role of economics in the prescription drug use problem. Key Informants underscored a common theme that the rural prescription drug problem was fueled by a cultural acceptance of drug misuse. Recommendations are presented for services and research.

The Incidence of Mood Altering Drug Use and Abuse among Middle-Aged Women in Florida

1978 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Shepherd ◽  
C. Edward Wotring ◽  
David Schmeling
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Purposive Sample ◽  
At Home

This report presents some findings of two studies designed to examine the incidence of mood altering prescription drug use among middle-aged women in Florida. The first study was a panel study of a small purposive sample of middle-aged women. The second study utilized a large sample from four major population areas of Florida of women at home during the day. The use of mood altering prescription drugs such as barbiturates, amphetamines, tranquilizers and sedatives was examined as well as the use of over-the-counter non-prescription drugs.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Relationships Between Demographic, Level of Drug Use and Self Esteem Among Female Students in Kaduna, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farouk Ndamadu Mus ◽  
Gladys John ◽  
Abdul Garba Sadiq
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
History Of

Starting the early 1990s, the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use in Nigeria has been increased, especially among college students. Potential adverse effects such as poor academic performance and low self-esteem are known. The research is aimed but it is not understood whether demographics (age, socioeconomic level, educational level, and history of mental illness), level of drug use and self-esteem are related to drug use for female college students. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study of a cross-sectional nature was to determine if there were predictive relationships between level of drug use (as measured by the Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST], and self-esteem (as measured by the Modified Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [MRSES] in female students in Kaduna in Nigeria. The theoretical framework was provided by the psychology of self-esteem theory, social learning theory, and identity theory. Primary data from a purposeful convenience and snowball sample of 300 female undergraduates (age 18-25) enrolled in three colleges was used to analyze data. The results of the multiple linear regression indicated that history of mental illness (p = .012) and DAST score (p = .000) were related to the MRSES score at statistically significant levels. Because the independent variables (level of drug use) were not related to the dependent variable (self-esteem) at a statistically significant level, the null hypothesis was not rejected. The results from this study could provide justification for college administrators to plan appropriate social, health, educational programs, and policies that could assist college students at risk of nonmedical prescription drug use and guide students in making right health choices and decisions. The research recommends that these investigations could inform the development of educational materials and methods/strategies toward stemming, minimizing and possibly preventing the risk of Non-Medical Prescription Drugs (NMPDU) among college students over the lifetime of their college careers and after.

Shapes of Subcortical Structures in Adolescents With and Without Familial History of Substance Use Disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhishun Wang ◽  
Diana V. Rodriguez Moreno ◽  
Yael M. Cycowicz ◽  
Lawrence V. Amsel ◽  
Keely Cheslack-Postava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Familial History ◽  
History Of

Recreational Prescription Drug Use Among College Students

NASPA Journal ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan A Kolek
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Research University ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
Other Substances

The purpose of this study was to explore recreational prescription drug use among undergraduate students. Although anecdotal accounts on this subject abound, empirical research is extremely limited. Data from a survey of a random sample of 734 students at a large public research university in the Northeast were examined. Results indicate that a substantial proportion of students reported having used prescription drugs for recreational purposes in the year prior to survey administration. Recreational prescription drug use was positively associated with the use of other substances including alcohol. Recreational prescription drug users were also more likely than other drug users to report negative consequences as a result of their drug use. Implications for future research and for student affairs are discussed.

scholarly journals Exploring the use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs in a convenience sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinikka L. Kvamme ◽  
Michael M. Pedersen ◽  
Kristine Rømer Thomsen ◽  
Birgitte Thylstrup
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Patient Organizations ◽  
Public Media ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of cannabis as medicine (CaM) both prescribed and non-prescribed has increased markedly in the last decade, mirrored in a global shift in cannabis policy towards a more permissive stance. There is some evidence that cannabis functions as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids; however, more knowledge is needed on the motives of substitution users, their patterns of use, and perceived effects of substitution use. Aims To explore who substitutes prescription drugs with cannabis, the type of prescription drugs substituted and the type of cannabis used, and the impact that substitution with cannabis has on prescription drug use as well as the motives for substitution in terms of experienced effects and side effects. Methods A self-selected convenience sample was recruited through social media, public media, and patient organizations to take part in an anonymous online survey. Inclusion criteria were 18 years or older and use of cannabis (prescribed or non-prescribed) with a medical purpose. Results The final sample included 2.841 respondents of which the majority (91%) used non-prescribed cannabis, and more than half (54.6%) had used CaM with the purpose of replacing a prescribed drug. Compared to non-substitution users, substitution users were more likely to be women and to use CaM in the treatment of chronic pain and other somatic conditions. Pain medication (67.2%), antidepressants (24.5%), and arthritis medication (20.7%) were the most common types of drugs replaced with CaM. Among substitution users, 38.1% reported termination of prescription drug use, and 45.9% a substantial decrease in prescription drug use. The most frequent type of cannabis used as a substitute was CBD-oil (65.2%), followed by ‘hash, pot or skunk’ (36.6%). More than half (65.8%) found CaM much more effective compared to prescription drugs, and 85.5% that the side effects associated with prescription drug use were much worse compared to use of CaM. Conclusion CaM is frequently used as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids. More research is needed on the long-term consequences of use of CaM, including the impact from low and high THC cannabis products on specific somatic and mental health conditions.

scholarly journals White matter integrity and functional connectivity in adolescents with a parental history of substance use disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 100037
Author(s):  
Xiaofu He ◽  
Diana V. Rodriguez-Moreno ◽  
Yael M. Cycowicz ◽  
Keely Cheslack-Postava ◽  
Huilan Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Parental History ◽  
History Of
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