Subtypes of nonmedical prescription drug misuse.
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.
McCabe
Sean Esteban
SE
University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center, 2025 Traverwood Dr., Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2194, USA. plius@umich.edu
Boyd
Carol J
CJ
Teter
Christian J
CJ
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
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D055553:Prescription Drugs