Illicit use of prescription pain medication among college students

Abstract

This study identifies the prevalence, correlates, and sources associated with the illicit use of prescription pain medication among undergraduate college students. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was self-administered by a large random sample of 9,161 undergraduate students attending a large Midwestern university in the United States. Although undergraduate women were more likely to be prescribed pain medication, men were more likely to be approached to divert their prescription pain medication and report illicit use of prescription pain medication. Multivariate analyses indicated past year illicit use of prescription pain medication was higher among undergraduate students who were: previously prescribed pain medication, living in a house or apartment, and earning lower grade point averages. The majority of students obtained prescription pain medication for illicit use from peers and the second leading source was family members. There were several gender differences in the risk factors and sources of illicit use of prescription pain medication. Based on qualitative data, illicit use included recreational use for the purposes of intoxication and self-medication for pain episodes. Illicit users, who obtained prescription pain medication from peers, reported significantly higher rates of other substance use while those who obtained prescription medications from family members did not. These findings suggest that the illicit use of prescription pain medications may represent a problem among undergraduate students and effective prevention efforts are needed that account for gender differences.