Nonmedical opioid use and heroin use in a nationally representative sample of us high school seniors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nonmedical use of opioids has become increasingly problematic in recent years with increases in overdoses, treatment admissions, and deaths. Use also appears to be contributing to heroin initiation, which has increased in recent years. Further research is needed to examine which adolescents are at highest risk for nonmedical use of opioids and heroin and to explore potential links between nonmedical opioid use and heroin use.

Methods

Data were analyzed from a nationally representative sample of American high school seniors in the Monitoring the Future study (2009-2013, Weighted N=67,822). We examined associations between frequency and recency of nonmedical use of opioids and heroin. Sociodemographic correlates of use of each drug were also examined.

Results

SUBMITTER: Palamar JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4698068 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature