title: Subtypes of nonmedical prescription drug misuse.
abstract: This study used three characteristics (i.e., motive, route of administration, and co-ingestion with alcohol) of nonmedical prescription drug misuse across four separate classes (i.e., pain, sedative/anxiety, sleeping, and stimulant medications) to examine subtypes and drug related problems. A Web survey was self-administered by a randomly selected sample of 3639 undergraduate students attending a large midwestern 4-year U.S. university. Self-treatment subtypes were characterized by motives consistent with the prescription drug's pharmaceutical main indication, oral only routes of administration, and no co-ingestion with alcohol. Recreational subtypes were characterized by recreational motives, oral or non-oral routes, and co-ingestion. Mixed subtypes consisted of other combinations of motives, routes, and co-ingestion. Among those who reported nonmedical prescription drug misuse, approximately 13% were classified into the recreational subtype, while 39% were in the self-treatment subtype, and 48% were in the mixed subtype. There were significant differences in the subtypes in terms of gender, race and prescription drug class. Approximately 50% of those in subtypes other than self-treatment screened positive for drug abuse. The odds of substance use and abuse were generally lower among self-treatment subtypes than other subtypes. The findings indicate subtypes should be considered when examining nonmedical prescription drug misuse, especially for pain medication.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center, 2025 Traverwood Dr., Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2194, USA. plius@umich.edu
authors.forename: Sean Esteban
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: Carol J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Christian J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Teter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D012646:Self Administration; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D055553:Prescription Drugs