Recent trends in prescription drug misuse in the United States by age, race/ethnicity, and sex

Am J Addict. 2022 Sep;31(5):396-402. doi: 10.1111/ajad.13289. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Abstract

Background and objectives: To examine changes in United States past-year opioid, stimulant, and benzodiazepine prescription drug misuse (PDM) and poly-PDM by demographics.

Methods: Data were from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 282,768), examining annualized PDM change by demographics.

Results: Opioid and poly-PDM significantly declined among those under 35 years, White, and multiracial residents.

Discussion and conclusions: Age and race/ethnicity are important moderators of recent PDM trends, warranting investigation of mechanisms.

Scientific significance: Results highlight ongoing PDM declines in younger groups but expand the literature by showing limited changes in adults 35 and older and non-opioid PDM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Drug Misuse*
  • Ethnicity
  • Humans
  • Prescription Drug Misuse*
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid