Article Abstract

Article Abstract

Online ISSN: 1099-176X Print ISSN: 1091-4358
The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2015. Pages: 3-15
Published Online: 1 March 2015

The Mental Health Consequences of Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use among Adolescents

Mir M. Ali,¹* David Dean Jr.,¹ Rachel Lipari,¹ William N. Dowd,² Arnie P. Aldridge,² Scott P. Novak³

¹Center for Behavioral Health Statistics & Quality, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD, USA
²Behavioral Health Economics Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
³Behavioral Health Epidemiology, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

* Correspondence to: Mir M. Ali, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics & Quality, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857, USA
Email: mir.ali@samhsa.hhs.gov
Tel.: +1-240-276 1336
Fax: +1-240-276 1260

Source of Funding: None declared. The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

Abstract

Nonmedical prescription drug use is estimated to be the second most abused category of drugs after marijuana among adolescents. Prescription drugs can be highly addictive and prolonged use can produce neurological changes and physiological dependence and could result in adverse mental health outcomes. This topic is largely unexplored, as current knowledge of possible mechanisms of the linkage between adverse mental health consequences and prescription drug misuse is limited. Using data from the 2008 – 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study employs a propensity score matching methodology to ascertain whether nonmedical use of prescription drugs is linked to major depressive episode. The results indicate that adolescents who used prescription drugs non-medically are 33% to 35% more likely to experience major depressive episode compared to their non-abusing counterparts. This provides additional evidence about the potential public health consequences of misuse of prescription drugs on adverse mental health outcomes.

Background: Nonmedical prescription drug use is estimated to be the second most abused category of drugs after marijuana among adolescents. Prescription drugs can be highly addictive and prolonged use can produce neurological changes and physiological dependence and could result in adverse mental health outcomes. This topic is largely unexplored, as current knowledge of possible mechanisms of the linkage between adverse mental health consequences and prescription drug misuse is limited.

Aim of the Study: This study explores the relationship between nonmedical use of prescription drugs and depression outcomes among adolescents. Given their complex and confounded relationship, our purpose is to better understand the extent to which nonmedical use of prescription drugs is an antecedent of depressive episodes.

Methods: Using data from the 2008-2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study employs a propensity score matching methodology to ascertain whether nonmedical use of prescription drugs is linked to major depressive episodes among adolescents.

Results: The results document a positive relationship between nonmedical prescription drug use and major depressive episodes among adolescents. Specifically, the results indicate that adolescents who used prescription drugs non-medically are 33% to 35% more likely to experience major depressive episodes compared to their non-abusing counterparts.

Implications for Health Policy: This provides additional evidence about the potential public health consequences of misuse of prescription drugs on adverse mental health outcomes. Given the significant increased risk of major depressive episode among adolescents who use prescription drugs nonmedically, it seems that the prevention of nonmedical prescription drug use warrants the utilization of both educational and public health resources.

Implications for Future Research: An important area for future research is to understand how any policy initiatives in this area must strike a balance between the need to minimize the misuse of prescription drugs and the need to ensure access for their legitimate health care use.

Received 15 October 2014; accepted February 14, 2015