Editorial: Prescription for Addiction

In the most recent 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)1 more than 1.3 million adolescents ages 12-17 reported past year nonmedical use of prescription drugs. About 70% started using in the past year and about half report nonmedical use of prescription opioid medications. Misuse of prescription opioid medication is associated with 19 times greater risk of transitioning to heroin compared to no misuse.2 Although the national opioid crisis affects all age groups, the steepest rise in unintentional opioid overdose fatalities has been in young adults ages 18-25.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research