Prescription Opioids in Adolescence and Future Opioid Misuse.
OBJECTIVE
Legitimate opioid use is associated with an increased risk of long-term opioid use and possibly misuse in adults. The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of future opioid misuse among adolescents who have not yet graduated from high school.


METHODS
Prospective, panel data come from the Monitoring the Future study. The analysis uses a nationally representative sample of 6220 individuals surveyed in school in 12th grade and then followed up through age 23. Analyses are stratified by predicted future opioid misuse as measured in 12th grade on the basis of known risk factors. The main outcome is nonmedical use of a prescription opioid at ages 19 to 23. Predictors include use of a legitimate prescription by 12th grade, as well as baseline history of drug use and baseline attitudes toward illegal drug use.


RESULTS
Legitimate opioid use before high school graduation is independently associated with a 33% increase in the risk of future opioid misuse after high school. This association is concentrated among individuals who have little to no history of drug use and, as well, strong disapproval of illegal drug use at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of prescribed opioids before the 12th grade is independently associated with future opioid misuse among patients with little drug experience and who disapprove of illegal drug use. Clinic-based education and prevention efforts have substantial potential to reduce future opioid misuse among these individuals, who begin opioid use with strong attitudes against illegal drug use.
Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; ramiech@umich.edu.
Richard
R
Miech
Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;
Lloyd
L
Johnston
Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;
Patrick M
PM
O'Malley
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; and.
Katherine M
KM
Keyes
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
Kennon
K
Heard
D000293:Adolescent; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid