Extramedical Use of Prescription Pain Relievers by Youth Aged 12 to 21 Years in the United States

Initiation of nonmedical use of prescription opioids among high school students

“…8,9,[16][17][18] Our finding that NUPO initiation occurred at a mean age of 13.8 years also aligns with studies reporting initiation between ages 14 and 18. 1,[6][7][8][9][10][11] However, previous studies have also reported that early NUPO initiation was associated with later use or OUD, 8,9,17,19 which is in contrast with our findings. Specifically, we found initiating NUPO at age 12 or younger was associated with current NUPO in unadjusted models and in models adjusted for demographics, but not after further adjustment for early initiation of other substances.…”

Developmental course of non‐medical use of prescription drugs from adolescence to adulthood in the United States: national longitudinal data

“…This developmental trend of reaching peak levels of nonmedical use for each prescription drug class is also similar to previous regional and national longitudinal studies examining the general patterns of binge drinking, marijuana use, nonmedical use of prescription opioids, and other illicit drug use during the transition from secondary school to young adulthood [13–17,20,22]. Furthermore, the modal age of onset among nonmedical users of prescription sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers (9 th grade) and opioids (10 th grade) in the present study was consistent with prior research [23–25]. Taken together, these findings reinforce the importance of implementing preventive intervention efforts in early adolescence before NUPD is initiated and reaches peak levels.…”

Epidemiological evidence on extra-medical use of prescription pain relievers: transitions from newly incident use to dependence among 12–21 year olds in the United States using meta-analysis, 2002–13

“…For scientists who study prescription pain relievers, policy-makers, regulatory bodies and health professionals, this report’s characterization of a 21st century ‘epidemic’ may be useful. Consistent with prior estimates through 2008 (e.g., Meier, Troost & Anthony, 2012 ), years of peak risk for starting extra-medical PPR use are observed during mid-adolescence.…”