Nonmedical Users of Pain Relievers: Characteristics of Recent Initiates. The NSDUH Report,Issue 22, 2006

摘要

An estimated 31.8 million Americans have used pain relievers nonmedically in their lifetimes, up from 29.6 million in 2002. OxyContin (controlled-release oxycodone hydrochloride) is a prescription pain reliever that first became available in 1995. Although it accounts for a small proportion of overall pain reliever misuse, this drug is of particular concern because of its increasing use in recent years. Lifetime nonmedical use of OxyContin increased in the United States from 1.9 to 3.1 million persons between 2002 and 2004. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) asks respondents aged 12 or older questions related to their nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs, including prescription pain relievers, during their lifetime and past year. Respondents who used prescription pain relievers nonmedically are asked when they first used them. NSDUH also asks respondents to report their use of cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs during the 12 months prior to the interview. Any illicit drug refers to marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type drugs used nonmedically. This report focuses on persons aged 12 or older who initiated nonmedical use of pain relievers and OxyContin in the 12 months prior to the survey.