Non-medical use of prescription drugs in a national sample of college women

Non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is one of the fastest growing forms of illicit drug use, with research indicating that college students represent a particularly high risk population. The current study examined demographic characteristics, health/mental health, substance misuse, and rape experiences as potential risk correlates of NMUPD among a national sample of college women (N = 2000). Interviews were conducted via telephone using Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing technology. NMUPD was assessed by asking if, participants had used a prescription drug non-medically in the past year. NMUPD was endorsed by 7.8% of the sample (n = 155). Although incapacitated and drug–alcohol facilitated rape were associated with NMUPD in the initial model, the final multivariable model showed that only lifetime major depression and other forms of substance use/abuse were significantly uniquely associated with an increased likelihood of NMUPD. Implications for primary and secondary prevention and subsequent research are addressed.

Research Highlights
► Lifetime history of PTSD and depression were associated with past year NMUPD.
► All substance abuse variables were associated with past year NMUPD.
► Use of other illegal drugs increasing a woman’s risk for NMUPD nearly five-fold.
► Incapacitated rape was uniquely related to NMUPD in the initial model.
► Substance facilitated rape was also uniquely related to NMUPD in the initial model.