Nonmedical use of prescription opioids and stimulants among student pharmacists

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and patterns of nonmedical use of prescription opioid analgesics and stimulants among student pharmacists.

Design: Descriptive, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Private urban college of pharmacy in the United States in fall 2006.

Participants: 1,538 PharmD students.

Intervention: Online survey.

Main outcome measures: Lifetime and past-year nonmedical prescription opioid and stimulant use.

Results: Response rate for the survey was 62%. Lifetime prevalence of opioid misuse was 8%, and 5% of students had misused in the past year. Lifetime prevalence of stimulant misuse was 7%, and 5% had misused in the past year. Whites and fraternity or sorority members were more likely than their peers to have ever misused opioids. Past-year opioid misuse was more likely among whites, men, and low academic achievers compared with their peers. Lifetime stimulant misuse was more likely among students who were white, older, and fraternity or sorority members, while past-year misuse was more likely among whites and low academic achievers. Common motives for opioid misuse were to have fun, to relax, and to deal with chronic pain. Stimulants were used to improve concentration and academic performance. Friends were the most common source of prescription opioids and stimulants. Nonmedical prescription use was associated with greater likelihood of alcohol and other illicit substance use.

Conclusion: The prevalence of prescription medication misuse among student pharmacists was lower than (opioids) or comparable with (stimulants) reported rates in college populations. Subgroups of students demonstrated higher rates of nonmedical use, including whites, students involved with fraternities or sororities, and low academic achievers. That friends were the primary source of misused medications indicates that diversion of prescription-only controlled substances likely occurs among student pharmacists. Nonmedical prescription medication use should be considered in the context of other substance use.