Nonmedical prescription analgesic use and concurrent alcohol consumption among college students.
BACKGROUND
Research has linked heavy alcohol use with nonmedical prescription analgesic use, but no studies have focused on concurrent use.


OBJECTIVE
To understand the extent to which alcohol use and nonmedical prescription analgesic use co-occur among college students.


METHODS
The Timeline Followback method was used to split the sample (n = 1,118) into three groups based on their alcohol and nonmedical prescription analgesic use.


RESULTS
Of all nonmedical prescription analgesic users, 58% (n = 90) were concurrent users. Concurrent users consumed more drinks per drinking day (7.5) than non-concurrent (5.8) and alcohol-only users (5.2), and drank more often (74.4% of days in the past six months, vs. 45.7% and 36.8%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent alcohol and analgesic use is prevalent among nonmedical users of prescription analgesics. Findings suggest a need for heightened awareness and increased research of the risks of coingestion.
Garnier
Laura M
LM
Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, College Park, 20740, USA.
Arria
Amelia M
AM
Caldeira
Kimberly M
KM
Vincent
Kathryn B
KB
O'Grady
Kevin E
KE
Wish
Eric D
ED
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics; D055553:Prescription Drugs