Quantifying Healthy Days Lost to the Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs (NMUPD) among a Sample of College Students

Abstract

NMUPD remains a public health concern in the United States, especially among college students, and is associated with numerous poor health and economic consequences. This study aimed to quantify healthy days lost to the NMU of antidepressants, painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Healthy Days” index. A web-based survey was sent to a random, stratified sample of full-time students ages 18–24 at a large Mid-Atlantic university (N = 494). Healthy Days were calculated among demographics and for users and non-users of each prescription drug class by adding the number of poor physical and mental health days in the 30 days and subtracting the total from 30. Females reported significantly (P < .0001) fewer healthy days (N = 208) compared with males (N = 265). Significant healthy days differences were also detected between individuals who reported the NMU of antidepressants (P < .001) compared to those who did not for both males and females and for NMU of any drug (P < .01) for females only, but not for painkillers, sedatives, or stimulants. Based on our results we estimate, on average, females report 57 fewer healthy days per year than males. Furthermore, we estimate females lose an additional 34 days each year owing to the NMU of any drug and an additional 62 days for the NMU antidepressants. For males engaged in the NMU of antidepressants, we estimate the loss of 82 days each year. Results indicate significant impairment for the NMU of antidepressants and for the NMU of any drug, representing a critical barrier toward reaching Healthy People 2030 goals.