Factors associated with non-medical abuse of prescription drugs among college students

Background: College-aged adults are at an increased risk for non-medical prescription drug abuse. The current study examines the differences in risk factors and health outcomes by type of prescription drug abuse in a college population. Method: A secondary data analysis of the Spring 2011 National College Health Assessment at the University of South Florida was conducted (N =1,146). Non-medical prescription drug abusers were categorized into four subgroups based upon past year use of any: prescription drug (n=146; 12.6%), opioids (n=79; 6.8%), sedatives (n=53; 4.6%), and stimulants (n=73; 7.3%). Separate, backwards stepwise multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the characteristics associated with any use and the different classes of non-medical prescription drug use. Results: Bivariate analyses indicated that, overall, non-medical prescription drug abusers were more likely to concurrently use other substances, have co-occurring mental health problems, and experience negative academic impacts because of these factors. While multivariate analyses mirrored these bivariate trends, some differences emerged across models predicting each of the types of non-medical prescription drug abuse in the past year. The non-medical abuse of prescription stimulants for studying purposes emerged as a particularly salient factor. Conclusions: Across study models predicting each of the types of non-medical prescription drug abuse in the past year, significant associations were found related to comorbid substance use and mental health conditions. Study results also demonstrate the heterogeneity of characteristics associated with non-medical prescription drug abuse across the different classes of prescription drugs.