Subtypes of nonmedical prescription drug misuse

This Study used three characteristics (i.e., Motive, route of administration, and co-ingestion with alcohol) of nonmedical prescription drug misuse across four separate classes (i.e., pain, sedative/anxiety, sleeping, and stimulant medications) to examine subtypes and drug related problems. A Web Survey was self-administered by a randomly selected sample of 3639 undergraduate Students attending a large midwestern 4-year U.S. university. Self-treatment subtypes were characterized by motives consistent with the prescription drug's pharmaceutical main indication. oral only routes of administration, and no co-ingestion with alcohol. Recreational Subtypes were characterized by recreational motives, oral or non-oral routes, and co-ingestion. Mixed subtypes consisted of other combinations of motives, routes, and co-ingestion. Among those who reported nonmedical prescription drug misuse, approximately 13% were classified into the recreational subtype, while 39% were in the self-treatment subtype, and 48% were in the mixed subtype. There were significant differences in the subtypes in terms of gender, race and prescription drug class. Approximately 50% of those in subtypes other than self-treatment screened positive for drug abuse. The odds of Substance use and abuse were generally lower among self-treatment subtypes than other Subtypes. The findings indicate subtypes should he considered when examining nonmedical prescription drug misuse, especially for pain medication. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.