Self-reported reasons for opioid and analgesic misuse among participants without cancer in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background This study examined opioid and analgesic misuse, and associated reasons for misuse, among participants without cancer in the United States. Methods We extracted data from three distinct waves of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2017–2019). Using weighted multivariable logistic regression models, we examined the associations between misuse and its reasons. Results Among individuals without cancer who misused pain relievers, the top three reasons for misuse were to relieve physical pain (62.6%), to get high (29.2%), or to relax (28.9%). For compound analgesics, the top three reasons for misuse were similar: relieving physical pain (67.9%), getting high (22.1%), and relaxation (25.6%). Compared to participants who misused opioids, respondents using compound analgesics and other pain relievers had lowers odds of using pain relievers for getting high (all p < .05). Conclusion Understanding the underlying reasons for opioid and analgesic misuse can inform development of public health policy and help in determining best practices for prescription and monitoring programs.