title: Non-medical use of psychotropic prescription drugs among adolescents in substance use treatment.
abstract: Little is known about the extent of non-medical use of prescription drugs among European adolescents with substance use disorders. This cross-sectional study examined non-medical use of seven categories of psychotropic prescription drugs (opioid analgesics, ADHD stimulant, sleeping, sedative/anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anabolic steroid medications) in a clinical sample of Irish adolescents with substance use disorders. Of the 85 adolescents (aged 13-18 years) invited to participate, 65 adolescents (M = 16.3 years, SD = 1.3) took part (response: 74%). Among respondents, 68% reported lifetime non-medical use of any of the prescription drugs; sedative/anxiolytic (62%) and sleeping medications (43%) were more commonly abused. The most frequently reported motives for abuse were "seeking high or buzz" (79%), "having good time" (63%), and "relief from boredom" (56%). Sharing among friends and street-level drug markets were the most readily available sources. Innovative solutions of control measures and intervention are required to address the abuse of prescription drugs.
authors.affiliation: Child and Youth Team, Addiction & Mental Health Services at Horizon Health Network Saint John, NB, Canada. tunde.apantaku-olajide@gnb.ca
authors.forename: Tunde
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Apantaku-Olajide
authors.affiliation: Child and Youth Team, Addiction & Mental Health Services at Horizon Health Network Saint John, NB, Canada.
authors.forename: Bobby P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Smyth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs