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. 2009;35(5):334-8.
doi: 10.1080/00952990903075059.

Nonmedical prescription analgesic use and concurrent alcohol consumption among college students

Laura M Garnier  1 , Amelia M Arria, Kimberly M Caldeira, Kathryn B Vincent, Kevin E O'Grady, Eric D Wish
Affiliations

Nonmedical prescription analgesic use and concurrent alcohol consumption among college students

Laura M Garnier et al. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2009.

Abstract

Background: Research has linked heavy alcohol use with nonmedical prescription analgesic use, but no studies have focused on concurrent use.

Objectives: To understand the extent to which alcohol use and nonmedical prescription analgesic use co-occur among college students.

Methods: The Timeline Followback method was used to split the sample (n = 1,118) into three groups based on their alcohol and nonmedical prescription analgesic use.

Results: Of all nonmedical prescription analgesic users, 58% (n = 90) were concurrent users. Concurrent users consumed more drinks per drinking day (7.5) than non-concurrent (5.8) and alcohol-only users (5.2), and drank more often (74.4% of days in the past six months, vs. 45.7% and 36.8%, respectively).

Conclusions and scientific significance: Concurrent alcohol and analgesic use is prevalent among nonmedical users of prescription analgesics. Findings suggest a need for heightened awareness and increased research of the risks of coingestion.

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