Sedative use and misuse in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and correlates associated with sedative use and misuse in the general population.


METHODS
Data were drawn from the National Comobidity Survey (n = 8098), a representative sample of adults in the community. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify correlates of sedative use, non-prescription use and self-perceived dependence.


RESULTS
The life-time prevalence of self-perceived sedative dependence was 0.5%, 7.1% reported non-prescribed sedative use and 17.0% had been prescribed sedatives and denied misuse. Individuals who used sedatives without a prescription were more likely to be male (OR = 0.61 (0.44, 0.86)), have lower income (OR = 0.71 (0.54, 0.94)), more education (OR = 1.51 (1.17, 1.96)), major depression (OR = 1.47 (1.04, 2.08)), agoraphobia (OR = 1.59 (1.09, 2.32)), ASPD (OR = 5.29 (3.42, 8.20)) and suicide ideation (OR = 1.91 (1.23, 2.94)), compared with those who did not use sedatives. Individuals with self-perceived dependence on sedatives were older (OR = 1.05 (1.02, 1.08)), had less education (OR = 0.2 (0.1, 0.7)) and were more likely to have a parent who abused prescription medications (OR = 4.3 (1.03, 18.03)), compared with those without sedative dependence.


CONCLUSIONS
Almost one in 10 adults report misuse of sedatives in their lifetime. Sedative use and misuse are associated with high levels of psychopathology and suicide risk, and show a specific association with parental abuse of prescription medications in the general population. Future work to understand more effectively the nature of these associations may ultimately lead to improved effectiveness of preventive interventions.
Goodwin
Renee D
RD
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA. rdg66@columbia.edu
Hasin
Deborah S
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives