Prescription drug abuse: from epidemiology to public policy

Abstract

Prescription drug abuse has reached an epidemic level in the United States. The prevalence of prescription drug abuse escalated rapidly beginning in the late 1990s, requiring a significant increase in research to better understand the nature and treatment of this problem. Since this time, a research literature has begun to develop and has provided important information about how prescription drug abuse is similar to, and different from the abuse of other substances. This introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment on prescription drug abuse provides an overview of the current status of the research literature in this area. The papers in this special issue include a sampling of the latest research on the epidemiology, clinical correlates, treatment, and public policy considerations of prescription drug abuse. Although much has been learned about prescription drug abuse in recent years, this research remains in early stages, particularly with respect to understanding effective treatments for this population. Future research priorities include studies on the interaction of prescription drugs with other licit and illicit substances, the impact of prescription drug abuse across the lifespan, the optimal treatment for prescription drug abuse and co-occurring conditions, and effective public policy initiatives for reducing prescription drug abuse.

The effects of alcohol, cannabis, and cigarette use on the initiation, reinitiation and persistence of non-medical use of opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers in adults

“…Studies examining risk factors of NMPDU have identified specific sociodemographic factors that increase risk such as being male, unmarried, and younger (Huang et al, 2006;McCabe et al, 2005;McHugh et al, 2015;Simoni-Wastila and Strickler, 2004). We extend these findings by identifying not only sociodemographic factors that influenced stages of use but also high-risk groups of cannabis and cigarette frequency.…”

“…In contrast, another study using the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) found sedative, tranquilizer, and opioid users were all more likely to engage in alcohol use/hazardous alcohol use and have an alcohol use disorder . Moreover, studies examining sociodemographic factors have indicated lower socioeconomic status, being unmarried, and lifetime/family history of alcohol/drug use disorders were predictive of problem use, but findings have varied in regard to race/ethnicity (McCabe et al, 2005;McHugh et al, 2015;Simoni-Wastila and Strickler, 2004). Therefore, targeting possible risk factors such as sociodemographics, early-onset and frequency of alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use has the ability to aid clinicians and researchers in developing more efficacious treatments and interventions for NMPDU.…”

Dental and oral health status of an Iranian population of drug abusers: A comparative study

“…In 2015, substances abuse-related conditions resulted in 307,400 deaths compared to 165,000 deaths in twenty years ago. Among these, the highest numbers were from alcohol abuse-related disorders, which caused 137,500 deaths; opioid abuse-related disorders caused 122,100 deaths, amphetamine abuse-related disorders caused 12,200 deaths, and cocaine abuse disorders caused 11,100 [1,2].…”

Abuse-Deterrent Formulations (ADFs): Crush Resistance

“…The rapid and widespread abuse of prescription medications within the United States from the late 1990s through the mid2000s reached epidemic levels based on several national studies [1]. The largest contributor to this problem has been the use of opioid analgesics for nonmedical purposes.…”