Age, Race & Mental Health as Risk Factors for the Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

The non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States (Martins et al., 2015). The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence rate at which middle aged Americans (ages 35-49) engage in the non-medical use of prescription drugs compared to young adults (ages 18-25), and examining the extent to which race and possessing a mental health problem serve as risk factors. Using nationally representative data from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, self-reported responses from 11,197 middle aged Americans and 12,998 young adults who reported on their NMUPD and mental health were assessed. Results revealed that young adults (25.7%) engaged in the non-medical use of prescription drugs at a significantly higher rate than middle aged Americans (21.8%). Both race and possessing a mental health problem were also significant risk factors for engaging in the non-medical use of prescription drugs for both age categories. While results revealed significant differences between age groups and race, they also revealed that possessing a mental health problem significantly increased the likelihood of engaging in the non-medical use of prescription drugs, prompting the belief that self-medication is an ulterior motive.

Authors

• Luis Gutierrez, California State University Los Angeles

• Carly Dierkhising, California State University, Los Angeles