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Sources of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers by Frequency of Past-Year Nonmedical Use

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: The health consequences of nonmedical use of prescription opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, are significant.1 The commonly cited statistic that most nonmedical users obtain these medications from friends or family for free 2 often serves as the basis for interventions focused on patients.This statistic, however, reflects sources among all nonmedical users, from those who used the drug once or twice to more frequent users.Recent research indicates that frequent nonmedical users are increasing in numbers and differ from infrequent users with respect to high-risk behaviors.3,4 Little research has examined whether the source of opioid medication differs by frequency of nonmedical use.Such research can inform the development of appropriately targeted interventions.

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine

DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.12809

Authors: Christopher M. Jones, Leonard J. Paulozzi, Karin A. Mack

Institutions: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Language: English

Topic: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Institutes of Health