Apantaku-Olajide, Tunde and Smyth, Bobby P (2013) Non-medical use of psychotropic prescription drugs among adolescents in substance use treatment. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 45, (4), pp. 340-346. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2013.825029.
External website: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/027910...
Little is known about the extent of non-medical use of prescription drugs among European adolescents with substance use disorders. This cross-sectional study examined non-medical use of seven categories of psychotropic prescription drugs (opioid analgesics, ADHD stimulant, sleeping, sedative/anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anabolic steroid medications) in a clinical sample of Irish adolescents with substance use disorders. Of the 85 adolescents (aged 13-18 years) invited to participate, 65 adolescents (M = 16.3 years, SD = 1.3) took part (response: 74%). Among respondents, 68% reported lifetime non-medical use of any of the prescription drugs; sedative/anxiolytic (62%) and sleeping medications (43%) were more commonly abused. The most frequently reported motives for abuse were "seeking high or buzz" (79%), "having good time" (63%), and "relief from boredom" (56%). Sharing among friends and street-level drug markets were the most readily available sources. Innovative solutions of control measures and intervention are required to address the abuse of prescription drugs.
B Substances > New (novel) psychoactive substances
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Medical substance > Prescription drug (medicine / medication)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Treatment and maintenance > Treatment factors
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health care programme, service or facility > Substance disorder treatment unit
T Demographic characteristics > Adolescent / youth (teenager / young person)
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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