Patterns Of Prescription Drug Misuse Research Articles

Nightlife scene involvement and patterns of prescription drug misuse.

Participation in nightlife influences a range of health behaviours. Participants in various nightlife scenes have increasingly adopted prescription drug misuse into their substance use repertoires. With 404 young adults recruited via time-space sampling in New York, we examine the relationship of nightlife participation-measured by number of scenes and the number of nights out in nightlife scenes-to prescription drug misuse during the past 3 months. Outcomes included frequency of misuse, escalation to non-oral consumption, polydrug use, social problems and symptoms of dependence. Negative binomial regressions indicate nightlife participation is associated with increased frequency of misuse measured by number of scenes (incidence rate ratio = 1.114, P < 0.05) and number of nights out (incidence rate ratio = 1.009, P < 0.001). Logistic regression models show nightlife participation is associated with increased odds of non-oral use (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.334, P < 0.01) and polydrug use (AOR = 1.776, P < 0.001) measured by number of scenes, and non-oral use (AOR = 1.021, P < 0.001) and polydrug use (AOR = 1.023, P < 0.001) as measured by number of nights out. Nightlife participation is not associated with prescription drug problems or symptoms of dependence. Frequency of participation is associated with peer norms favourable to prescription drugs (B = 0.003, P < 0.01). Nightlife participation has implications for prescription drug misuse. While shaping how often and in what manner young people consume prescription drugs, nightlife participation is not associated with harms experienced. Given the significance of the prescription drug trend in many world regions, these results suggest that increasing participation in nightlife shapes patterns of drug use, but in ways that do not lead to reported problems.

Social network ties to nightlife and healthcare professionals and prescription drug misuse among young adults

BackgroundNightlife scenes have been characterized as risk environments where social ecology and network ties facilitate substance use. In contrast to other substances, the prescription drug problem also has been shaped by the healthcare system. How network ties to professionals in these domains are associated with prescription drug misuse remains a key area of study. MethodsWe analyzed a sample of 404 young adults who misuse prescription drugs, recruited from nightlife venues primarily via time-space sampling. We evaluated nine types of network ties via friends and family (5 nightlife professions and 4 healthcare professions) as well as total ties in each occupational domain and their relationship to three different outcomes – frequency of misuse, escalation to non-oral use, and substance-related problems. Negative binomial, logistic, and linear regression methods were employed. We then examined mechanisms by which these network associations may operate. ResultsTies to party promoters (p < .05) and bouncers (p < .01) were positively associated with all three outcomes. A single outcome each was associated with ties to DJs (problems, p < .01), musicians (frequency, p < .05), and bartenders (escalation, p < .05). The total number of network ties in the nightlife domain was positively associated with all three outcomes, with each additional tie increasing frequency (20.3%, p < .001), odds of escalation (OR = 42.9%, p < .01), and problems (12.5%, p < .01). The number of sources, peer norm context, and social bonding were explanatory mechanisms for all three outcomes for nightlife networks. Specific occupational ties and the total number of ties to healthcare professionals were not associated with any outcome. ConclusionEmbeddedness in nightlife networks is related to patterns of prescription drug misuse, and some of this association can be explained by multiple mechanisms of social networks. By contrast, ties to healthcare professionals are not associated with patterns of misuse among such young adults.

Race-Ethnicity and Prescription Drug Misuse: Does Self-esteem Matter?

The research here investigates race-ethnicity and self-esteem in the misuse of prescription drugs. While there has been much research into the demographic factors that predict prescription drug misuse (PDM), we lack a full accounting of psychosocial factors of possible importance in influencing patterns of race-ethnicity and PDM. One possible influence is self-esteem. We use data from the National Longitudinal Survey on Adolescent Health to investigate race-ethnicity, PDM and self-esteem. Findings indicate first that race-ethnicity is significant is PDM. Secondly, results indicate that self-esteem is important in understanding patterns of prescription drug misuse among young adults, but only among whites.

Combinations of prescription drug misuse and illicit drugs among young adults

BackgroundPrescription drug misuse remains a critical drug trend. Data indicate that young adults in nightlife scenes misuse prescription drugs at high rates. As such, continued surveillance of the patterns of prescription drug misuse among young adults is necessary, particularly assessments that spotlight specific areas of risk, such as polydrug use. MethodsPrevalence and correlates of recent combinations of prescription drugs and other substances among urban young adults recruited at nightlife venues using time–space sampling are assessed via prevalence estimates and logistic regression analyses. ResultsOverall, 16.4% of the sample reported combining illicit drug use with prescription drug misuse. Of those who reported any prescription drug misuse, 65.9% used prescription drugs in combination with at least one of the illicit drugs assessed. The most common combination was marijuana, followed by alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy, and psychedelics. Being male and identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual predicted the combination of prescription drugs with ecstasy, cocaine, and psychedelics. ConclusionsRates of combining alcohol and illicit drug use with prescription drug misuse were high, especially among men and those identified as a sexual minority. These rates are alarming in light of the host of negative health outcomes associated with combining prescription and illicit drugs.

Association between prescription drug misuse and injection among runaway and homeless youth

BackgroundThe nonmedical use of prescription drugs is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, disproportionately impacting youth. Furthermore, the population prevalence of injection drug use among youth is also on the rise. This short communication examines the association between current prescription drug misuse (PDM) and injection among runaway and homeless youth. MethodsHomeless youth were surveyed between October 2011 and February 2012 at two drop-in service agencies in Los Angeles, CA. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between current PDM and injection behavior were estimated. The outcome of interest was use of a needle to inject any illegal drug into the body during the past 30 days. ResultsOf 380 homeless youth (median age, 21; IQR, 17–25; 72% male), 84 (22%) reported current PDM and 48 (13%) reported currently injecting. PDM during the past 30 days was associated with a 7.7 (95% CI: 4.4, 13.5) fold increase in the risk of injecting during that same time. Among those reporting current PDM with concurrent heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine use, the PR with injection was 15.1 (95% CI: 8.5, 26.8). ConclusionsRunaway and homeless youth are at increased risk for a myriad of negative outcomes. Our preliminary findings are among the first to show the strong association between current PDM and injection in this population. Our findings provide the basis for additional research to delineate specific patterns of PDM and factors that enable or inhibit transition to injection among homeless and runaway youth.

Prescription drug misuse among young adults: Looking across youth cultures

Youth cultures play a key role in the social organisation of drug trends among young people; the current prescription drug misuse trend is no different. The authors evaluated whether patterns of prescription drug misuse differed across several youth cultures. Using field survey methods and time-space sampling during 2011, the authors assessed the patterns and prevalence of prescription drug misuse among young adults who are socially active in various urban youth cultures (n = 1781). The prevalence of lifetime prescription drug misuse is highest within indie rock scenes (52.5%), electronic dance music scenes (52.1%), lesbian parties (53.8%) and alt scenes (50.9%). Prescription drug misuse was lowest among young adults in hip-hop scenes (25.0%). These findings were upheld in logistic regression analyses that accounted for demographic differences across youth cultures: indie rock scenes (adjusted odds ratio = 2.11), electronic dance music scenes (adjusted odds ratio = 2.20), lesbian parties (adjusted odds ratio = 2.30) and alt scenes (adjusted odds ratio = 2.65) all reported statistically significant (P < 0.05) higher odds of misuse than college bar scenes. Recent prescription drug misuse mirrored patterns for lifetime misuse. The differing prevalence of prescription drug misuse across distinct youth cultures suggests that the trend has not diffused equally among young people. The differing prevalence across youth cultures indicates that the most efficacious strategies for youth intervention may be targeted approaches that account for the subculturally rooted differences in attitudes and social norms.

Prevalence and correlates of prescription drug misuse among socially active young adults

BackgroundPrescription drug misuse represents an emerging global drug trend. Data indicate that young adults are misusing prescription drugs at high rates. As such, continued surveillance of the patterns of prescription drug misuse among young adults is critical, particularly for those engaged in social scenes known to accommodate drug use. MethodsPrevalence and correlates of lifetime and recent prescription drug misuse among urban young adults recruited at nightlife venues using time-space sampling are assessed via prevalence estimates and logistic regression analyses. ResultsIn a diverse sample of 1207 young adults, 44.1% reported lifetime prescription drug misuse, and 20.3% reported misuse during the past three months. Stimulants were the most common class of drug respondents misused within the past six months (16.7%), followed by pain killers (16.5%) and sedatives (14.5%). While no gender or sexual orientation differences in misuse prevalence existed, Black youth reported the lowest prevalence of misuse. In multivariate analyses, increased age was associated with lower odds of recent misuse, females report lower odds of recent use, and Black, Asian, and Latino individuals had lower odds of recent misuse than Whites. These odds varied by prescription drug type. Negative binomial regression analyses indicate that, among prescription drug misusers, women misuse prescription drugs less frequently. Younger individuals more frequently misuse stimulants and older individuals more frequently misuse sedatives. Racial variation existed with frequency of use across classes. ConclusionsThis study illustrates the need for health promotion efforts targeting prescription drug misuse among young adults who are highly socially active. Future research should focus on motivations for and factors associated with prescription drug misuse within youth cultures. Further research may provide a fuller sense of how to reduce the impact of prescription drug misuse for nations whose prescription drug problem lags behind that of the U.S.

Patterns of Prescription Drug Misuse among Young Injection Drug Users

Misuse of prescription drugs and injection drug use has increased among young adults in the USA. Despite these upward trends, few studies have examined prescription drug misuse among young injection drug users (IDUs). A qualitative study was undertaken to describe current patterns of prescription drug misuse among young IDUs. Young IDUs aged 16-25 years who had misused a prescription drug, e.g., opioids, tranquilizers, or stimulants, at least three times in the past 3 months were recruited in 2008 and 2009 in Los Angeles (n = 25) and New York (n = 25). Informed by an ethno-epidemiological approach, descriptive data from a semi-structured interview guide were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Most IDUs sampled were both homeless and transient. Heroin, prescription opioids, and prescription tranquilizers were frequently misused in the past 30 days. Qualitative results indicated that young IDUs used prescription opioids and tranquilizers: as substitutes for heroin when it was unavailable; to boost a heroin high; to self-medicate for health conditions, including untreated pain and heroin withdrawal; to curb heroin use; and to reduce risks associated with injecting heroin. Polydrug use involving heroin and prescription drugs resulted in an overdose in multiple cases. Findings point to contrasting availability of heroin in North American cities while indicating broad availability of prescription opioids among street-based drug users. The results highlight a variety of unmet service needs among this sample of young IDUs, such as overdose prevention, drug treatment programs, primary care clinics, and mental health services.

Misuse of Prescription and Illicit Drugs among High-Risk Young Adults in Los Angeles and New York

BackgroundPrescription drug misuse among young adults is increasingly viewed as a public health concern, yet most research has focused on student populations and excluded high-risk groups. Furthermore, research on populations who report recent prescription drug misuse is limited. This study examined patterns of prescription drug misuse among high-risk young adults in Los Angeles (LA) and New York (NY), which represent different local markets for illicit and prescription drugs.Design and MethodsBetween 2009 and 2011, 596 young adults (16 to 25 years old) who had misused prescription drugs within the past 90 days were interviewed in Los Angeles and New York. Sampling was stratified to enroll three groups of high-risk young adults: injection drug users (IDUs); homeless persons; and polydrug users.ResultsIn both sites, lifetime history of receiving a prescription for an opioid, tranquilizer, or stimulant was high and commonly preceded misuse. Moreover, initiation of opioids occurred before heroin and initiation of prescription stimulants happened prior to illicit stimulants. NY participants more frequently misused oxycodone, heroin, and cocaine, and LA participants more frequently misused codeine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Combining prescription and illicit drugs during drug using events was commonly reported in both sites. Opioids and tranquilizers were used as substitutes for other drugs, e.g., heroin, when these drugs were not available.ConclusionPatterns of drug use among high-risk young adults in Los Angeles and New York appear to be linked to differences in local markets in each city for illicit drugs and diverted prescription drugs.

Prevalence and Patterns of Prescription Drug Misuse among Young Ketamine Injectors

In recent years, epidemiological monitoring data has indicated sharp increases in prescription drug misuse. Despite these increases, little is known about the context or patterns associated with prescription drug misuse, particularly among youth or young injection drug users (IDUs). A three-city study of 213 young IDUs found prescription drug misuse to be pervasive, specifically the use of opioids and benzodiazepines. Particular practices not commonly associated with prescription drugs were reported, such as sniffing, smoking, and injection. Associated health risks included initiation into injection drug use, polydrug use, drug overdose, and drug dependency. A greater awareness of the potential health risks associated with prescription drug misuse should be incorporated into services that target IDUs, including street outreach, syringe exchanges, and drug treatment.

Poverty, Health Care, and Problems of Prescription Medication: A Case Study

Through the use of ethnographic research methods the authors examine the relationship between poverty, limited access to health care, and prescription medication use/misuse in rural eastern Kentucky. Four patterns of prescription drug misuse are documented in this study: 1) overuse of medications, often by means of multiple prescriptions obtained from different physicians; 2) the acquisition of prescription drugs for the purpose of resale through illegal channels; 3) borrowing or “swapping” medications through informal exchange; and 4) under- or nonuse of prescription drugs. Of the four patterns, the last is the one reported as having the highest prevalence due to residents' inability to afford the costs of medications prescribed by physicians. The public health implications of these findings are briefly discussed.