Trends in prescription drug misuse sources: demographic differences among adolescents and young adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Although changes to prescribing guidelines appear to have resulted in fewer prescriptions from doctors, no recent study has looked at changes to where prescription drugs of misuse are obtained and how they have differed by gender and race among adolescents and young adults. Objectives This study examines trends in the source of prescription drug misuse between 2015 and 2019 for adolescents and young adults and observes how they have differed between demographic groups in this population. Methods Data were from the 2015 – 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Trend analysis was performed using logistic regression models with year as a predictor of prescription drug source, with separate models created for individual demographic groups. Results Findings indicate that the likelihood of having received a prescription benzodiazepine or stimulant from friends or family for free has decreased for many groups, while the likelihood of having purchased benzodiazepines or stimulants from a drug dealer or stranger has increased. Changes observed for prescription opioids include increased likelihood of receiving from a doctor for 12–17-year-olds and increased likelihood of stealing from friends/family for many groups. Conclusion Possible explanations for these changes and implications for practice and policy are discussed.