Trends in older adult nonmedical prescription drug use prevalence: Results from the 2002-2003 and 2012-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Abstract

Background: Based on projections of increasing older adult nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) prevalence, we investigated whether increases had occurred in opioid, tranquilizer and stimulant NMPDU in older adults from 2002-2003 to 2012-2013, using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Methods: The NSDUH is a nationally representative survey of the US population, with assessments of lifetime, past-year and past 30-day NMPDU from opioids, tranquilizers and stimulants. Weighted cross-tabulations were used to compute prevalence rates, and design-based logistic regressions were used to examine change in NMPDU. Regressions controlled for gender, race/ethnicity and population density of respondent residence.

Results: Across medication classes, lifetime NMPDU rates increased in all older adults and two sub-groups: those aged 50 to 64 and those 65years and older. Rates of past year opioid NMPDU also increased from 2002-2003 to 2012-2013 in all examined age ranges. Trend-level results were also found for the past-30day opioid NMPDU and past-year tranquilizer NMPDU in adults aged 50years and older.

Conclusions: The results support projections of increasing older adult NMPDU rates. As NMPDU in older adults may impart greater risk for adverse events, public health efforts are needed to reverse the increases in older adult NMPDU.

Keywords: Nonmedical use; Older adults; Opioid; Prevalence; Stimulant; Tranquilizer.