title: Non-medical use of prescription drugs and sexual risk behavior in young adults.
abstract: In recent years, the non-medical use of prescription drugs (without a doctor's prescription) has increased dramatically, particularly in young adults. Previous work has noted associations between the non-medical use of prescription drugs and the use of illicit drugs, and associations between the use of illicit drugs and sexual risk behavior. Investigations examining associations between the non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) and sexual risk behavior are sparse. In the present study, undergraduate students (n=435) ages 18-25 completed an instrument assessing these behaviors. Overall, 35.6% of participants reported NMUPD. Individuals who reported NMUPD were more likely to also report the use of alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, and poppers. Participants who indicated they had used prescription medications without a doctor's consent had significantly higher rates of sexual risk behavior, including more sexual partners and more instances of unprotected sex in the previous 3 months. Results suggest that a significant minority of young adults are using prescription medication recreationally and are risking negative consequences, including the potential for addiction, dangerous interactions between prescription and recreational drugs, and greater risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Psychology, PO Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284, United States. ebenotsch@VCU.edu
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Benotsch
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koester
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luckman
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cejka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs