Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use among a Sample of College Students: Prevalence and Predictors

Abstract

Nonmedical use of prescription opioid medication (NMPO) in the United States is a public health crisis, resulting in high rates of emergency room visits, morbidity, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore prevalence estimates and correlates of NMPO among a convenience sample of college students in the northeast and southeast regions of the US to help generate directions for future research. Motivations for misuse, age of onset, access, concomitant substance use, and individual factors were investigated among a sample of undergraduate students from two universities. Participants (N = 847) completed a battery of various self-report measures. Findings revealed that 7.7% (Southeastern University) and 12.8% of students (Northeastern University) reported lifetime NMPO, whereas past-month NMPO was reported by 0.8% and 0.9% of participants, respectively. Lifetime history of regularly using alcohol, nonmedical use of benzodiazepine medication, nonmedical use of prescription stimulants, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and executive functioning (i.e., metacognition and behavioral regulation) were significantly related to lifetime history of NMPO in this college sample. These findings offer several potential subsequent lines of investigation regarding the associations between various demographic and psychological factors and NMPO. Future research is needed to help identify college students who are at risk of NMPO.

Evaluation of clinical knowledge of drugs causing addiction and associated social determinants among male pharmacy and nursing students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – A Cross-Sectional study

“…Cannabis, amphetamine, and central nervous system stimulants were reportedly the most often discovered narcotics( Al-Musa and Al-Montashri, 2016 , Dabbagh et al, 2021 ). On the other hand, psychotherapeutic pharmaceuticals, antihistamines, stimulants, and sympathomimetics were the most commonly abused prescribed OTC medications among students in Saudi Arabia( Al-Musa and Al-Montashri, 2016 , Dabbagh et al, 2021 ) and other developed countries like the USA (United States of America)( Butler et al, 2021 , Jones et al, 2020 , Lord et al, 2009 , Weyandt et al, 2021 ).…”

Application of The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to inform understanding of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of opioid and naloxone training on college campuses

“…Young adults are a priority population in the opioid overdose epidemic [ 16 – 18 ]. College-aged adults [ 18 – 25 ] are more likely than other age groups to misuse opioids generally (e.g., prescription pain reliever misuse or heroin use) and IMF specifically, and have worse OUD treatment outcomes (e.g., higher rates of 24-week relapse than older adults) [ 13 , 19 , 20 ]. Based on national CDC data, between 1999 and 2018 opioid-only and polysubstance-involved opioid overdose deaths (primarily involving synthetic opioids and cocaine) among adolescents and young adults ages 13–25 increased by 384% and 760%, respectively [ 21 ].…”

Prescription opioid misuse in relation to addiction susceptibility among women at a Saudi university

“…Studies suggest that prescription opioids are the second most commonly misused prescription drugs among university students ( McCabe et al, 2005 ). In the U.S., for both men and women, the prevalence of lifetime prescription opioid misuse among university students ranged from 5.5% to 19.7%, while past-year misuse was reported between 2% and 17% ( McCabe et al, 2005 , Meisel and Goodie, 2015 , Kenne et al, 2017 , Weyandt et al, 2021 , Weyandt et al, 2022 ). However, higher rates for lifetime misuse are reported for medical students (40%), as well as nursing and pharmacy students (39%) ( Weyandt et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In the U.S., for both men and women, the prevalence of lifetime prescription opioid misuse among university students ranged from 5.5% to 19.7%, while past-year misuse was reported between 2% and 17% ( McCabe et al, 2005 , Meisel and Goodie, 2015 , Kenne et al, 2017 , Weyandt et al, 2021 , Weyandt et al, 2022 ). However, higher rates for lifetime misuse are reported for medical students (40%), as well as nursing and pharmacy students (39%) ( Weyandt et al, 2021 ). In other countries, lifetime prescription opioid misuse among university students ranged from 2% to 19.3%, while past-month misuse was around 2% ( Papazisis et al, 2018 , Papazisis et al, 2018 , Alswayed et al, 2022 , Weyandt et al, 2022 ).…”