Understanding the Risk Factors and Lived Experiences of Prescription Drug Abuse Among Canadian Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise among Canadian youth. However, there is a lack of qualitative research in this area. The primary goal of this study was to understand the risk factors and lived experiences associated with child and adolescent prescription drug abuse from a phenomenological lens. A total of six participants were interviewed. Trauma, polydrug use, easy access, social learning, as well as self-medication and recreation emerged as risk factors. Prescription drug abuse provided short-term benefits, but this behavior coincided with a number of significant detriments such as dependence, withdrawal, and addiction. This study expands the scientific literature.