Nonmedical Use of Antihistaminergic Anxiolytics and Other Prescription Drugs among Persons with Opioid Dependence

Journal of Addiction ◽

10.1155/2016/9298571 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Disa Dahlman ◽

Tove Abrahamsson ◽

Alex H. Kral ◽

Anders Hakansson

Keyword(s):

Prescription Drugs ◽

Opioid Dependence ◽

Clinical Issue ◽

Prescription Stimulants ◽

Drug Classes ◽

Prescription Drug Use ◽

Central Stimulants ◽

Nonmedical Use ◽

Benzodiazepine Use ◽

Study Participants

Background. Nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) is an increasing problem, insufficiently studied among people in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). This study investigates the prevalence of and factors associated with NMPDU for drug classes insufficiently described in opioid-dependent populations, including antihistaminergic anxiolytics and central stimulants.Methods. Study participants were recruited at two OMT clinics in Malmo, Sweden, between October 2014 and December 2015 (N=73) and interviewed about their use, motivations for use, and acquisition and administration of prescription drugs.Results. The majority of the sample reported lifetime NMPDU: 60% for benzodiazepine-like hypnotics (z-drugs), 21% for pregabalin, 19% for stimulants, and 12%–15% for antihistaminergic anxiolytics. Lower age was associated with nonmedical benzodiazepine use (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.89; 95% Confidence Interval = 0.82–0.97). Illicit acquisition was reported by 61% of people using z-drugs, 46% of people using pregabalin, and 38% of people using prescription stimulants, but only by 6–10% of people using antihistaminergic anxiolytics.Conclusions. The substantial nonmedical use of pregabalin, z-drugs, and prescription stimulants found in this study suggests that clinicians should prescribe these drugs with great caution. Nonmedical use of antihistaminergic anxiolytics does not seem to be a clinical issue among people in OMT in a Swedish setting, but we propose future studies to monitor their use.

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Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants and Analgesics: Associations with Social and Academic Behaviors among College Students

Journal of Drug Issues ◽

10.1177/002204260803800406 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 1045-1060 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Amelia M. Arria ◽

Kevin E. O'Grady ◽

Kimberly M. Caldeira ◽

Kathryn B. Vincent ◽

Eric D. Wish

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

High School ◽

Prescription Drugs ◽

High Risk Group ◽

First Year ◽

Lower Grade ◽

Grade Point ◽

Prescription Stimulants ◽

Nonmedical Use ◽

First Year College Students

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and analgesics was assessed from personal interviews with a stratified random sample of 1,253 first-year college students ages 17 to 20 attending a large public university (86% response rate). Lifetime and past-year prevalence of nonmedical use of stimulants, analgesics, or both was 19.6%wt and 15.6%wt, respectively. Nonmedical users had significantly lower grade point averages (GPAs) in high school as compared with nonusers; in college they skipped classes more often, spent more time socializing, and spent less time studying. For example, nonmedical users of both stimulants and analgesics skipped 21 % of their college classes whereas nonusers skipped 9%. Controlling for high school GPA and other factors, past-year nonmedical use independently predicted lower college GPA by the end of the first year of college; this effect was partially mediated by skipping more classes. Nonmedical users of prescription drugs comprise a high-risk group for academic problems in college.

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Prescription Drug Abuse in Adolescence

The Oxford Handbook of Adolescent Substance Abuse ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199735662.013.010 ◽

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.

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Prescription Drugs

ASAM Handbook of Addiction Medicine ◽

10.1093/med/9780197506172.003.0013 ◽

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.

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

Journal of Opioid Management ◽

10.5055/jom.2008.0010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 63 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

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.

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Examining the Relationship Between Strain and the Use of Nonmedical Prescription Drugs Among College Students

Journal of Drug Issues ◽

10.1177/0022042618812398 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 163-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Margaret C. Pate ◽

Riane M. Bolin

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Prescription Drugs ◽

College Campuses ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Prescription Drug Use ◽

Nonmedical Use ◽

General Strain ◽

The Relationship ◽

Prescription Pain Relievers ◽

Peer Use

The study of nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) on college campuses is of importance, as college students tend to engage in NMPDU more often than their same-age peers not attending college. Typical correlates of NMPDU include need for alertness, perception of peer use, desire to get high, and use of other drugs including alcohol and marijuana. Few studies have explored the relationship between strain, depression, and NMPDU among college students. Using general strain theory as the theoretical framework, the current study aims to add to the literature on NMPDU by exploring the role that strain and depression play in the prevalence of nonmedical prescription stimulant, tranquilizer/sedative, and pain reliever use at a midsized university. Results support the relationship proposed by strain theorists for both nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers and tranquilizers/sedatives, but not stimulants. Policy implications and future areas of research are discussed.

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

Journal of Drug Issues ◽

10.1177/002204260703700302 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 503-524 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

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.

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