Perceptions of Harm and Reasons for Misuse of Prescription Opioid Drugs and Reasons for Not Seeking Treatment for Physical or Emotional Pain Among a Sample of College Students

Abstract

Lifetime prevalence of prescription opioid misuse was 9.5%. Misusers of prescription opioid drugs generally reported lower ratings of perceived harm as compared to individuals not reporting misuse of prescription opioid drugs. Primary reasons for misuse of prescription opioid drugs was to relieve pain (33.9%), "to feel good/get high" (23.2%) and experimentation (21.4%). Lifetime misuse of a prescription opioid drug for physical or emotional pain was reported by 8.1% and 2.2% of respondents, respectively. Primary reasons for misuse for physical pain included because pain was temporary, immediate relief was needed, and no health insurance/financial resources. Primary reasons for misuse for emotional pain included not wanting others to find out, embarrassment and fear. Conclusions/Importance: Reasons for misuse of prescription opioid drugs vary by type of prescription opioid drug. Reasons for not seeking treatment that ultimately lead to misuse, vary by type of pain being treated and may be important considerations in the effort to stem the misuse of prescription opioid drugs among college students.

Screening for depression among a sample of US college students who engage in recreational prescription opioid misuse

“…A main strength of the current study was its use of validated instrumentation for the assessment of depression. Few studies have produced correlations between opioid misuse and depressive symptomology, 6,11,18,21,29 however, to our knowledge no studies have attempted to identify a prevalence of depression among college students who misuse opioids through an established screening instrument. Specifically, coping with depression, the treatment of emotional pain, and treatment of psychiatric distress have been identified as motives for opioid misuse among college students.…”

“…Specifically, coping with depression, the treatment of emotional pain, and treatment of psychiatric distress have been identified as motives for opioid misuse among college students. 6,11,29 Additionally, prescription opioid misuse has been associated with increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms such as hopelessness, sadness, and suicidality among this population. 18,21 It is important, not only for validity, but also for comparative purposes that studies attempt to utilize validated instrumentation when measuring depression among their samples.…”

“…4 More proximal recall periods produce estimates, typically, much lower at less than 10%. 5,6 Pressure from the academic environment, perceived peer approval and behavior, also the large and diverse social networks of college students may contribute to opioid misuse. 1,[7][8][9][10] Although students have reported misusing opioids for the treatment of emotional pain, it appears that motivation for misuse is largely recreational.…”

“…1,[7][8][9][10] Although students have reported misusing opioids for the treatment of emotional pain, it appears that motivation for misuse is largely recreational. 2,6,11 Characteristics specific to college students place them not only at risk for substance use but also to mental health complications, particularly depressive symptoms. 12 Many students are experiencing their first glimpse of independence, which comes with the loss of their family unit, proximal support system, and may lead to risky decision making.…”

“…Recent attention given to the current opioid crisis has spawned literature indicating a relationship between opioid misuse and the existence of depressive symptoms and other affective dysregulation among college students. 6,20,21 Currently, these studies have assessed only particular depressive symptomatology, such as, hopelessness, sadness, emotional pain, and suicidal ideation. As the literature, thus far, has excluded use of validated depression screening instruments, it is yet unknown to what extent depression may actually exists among students who misuse prescription opioids.…”