Nonmedical use of prescription opioids among U.S. college students: Prevalence and correlates from a national survey

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the prevalence rates and correlates of nonmedical use of prescription opioid analgesics among U.S. college students in terms of student and college characteristics. Methods This study analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 10,904 randomly selected students attending 119 four-year colleges in 2001. Results The lifetime prevalence of nonmedical prescription opioid use was 12% and the past year prevalence was 7%. Approximately one in every four colleges had a prevalence of 10% or higher for past year nonmedical use of prescription opioids. Multivariate regression analyses indicated nonmedical use was more likely to occur among college students who were white, residents of fraternity and sorority houses, attended more competitive colleges, earned lower grade point averages, and reported higher rates of substance use and other risky behaviors. Conclusions This study provides evidence that the nonmedical use of prescription opioids represents a problem on college campuses. These findings have important implications for developing prevention efforts and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the nonmedical use of prescription opioid analgesics among college students while not hindering necessary medication management for pain.