Young adults who skip college are more likely to abuse prescription painkillers than their degree-bound peers, a new study finds. "Our findings clearly show there is a need for young adult prevention and intervention programs to target nonmedical prescription drug use beyond college campuses," said first author Dr. Silvia Martins, an associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Researchers analyzed data collected between 2008 and 2010 from nearly 37,000 participants, aged 18 to 22, in the annual U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Nonmedical use of powerful narcotic pain drugs (for example, Oxycontin) was reported by 13.2 percent of those who did not graduate from high school, 13.1 percent of those with a high school diploma, and 11.3 percent of those in college. The link between education and painkiller abuse among young adults was much stronger among women than among men, according to the study recently published online in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. The researchers also looked at abuse of prescription stimulants (such as Adderall) and found the opposite results: Stimulant misuse was more common among college students than among those who weren't in college. About 70 percent of all young adults in the United States enroll in some form of college education, while 30 percent do not. Narcotic painkillers are second only to marijuana as the most common type of illegal drug used by young adults in the United States, the researchers noted. "This age group is particularly vulnerable to the development of adverse substance-using patterns, due in part to the process of identity formation that emerges at this developmental stage," Martins said in a university news release. source: http://health.usnews.com/health-new...utting-back-on-painkiller-prescriptions-study
So what does this study means exactly, that if we go to college we are more likely not to abuse painkillers? I feel that this conclusion is a little generic, what is important for me is that doctors tell us that it's something temporary so that we don't get hooked.
I don't believe in correlations like this. If the person had an addictive personality to being with, they'll abuse regardless of age limitations, high education, or peer pressure. And they won't stop because abusers don't have it in their head to stop, they just want to keep going so then can feel that constant state of euphoric highs.
I don't know where these studies are conducted, but they sound like a a whole lot of bogus to me. I can't see how painkillers interfere with someone's education and performance, unless there is a history of abuse. As a matter of fact, I think that a measured approach to using medicines that relieve pain and tension are beneficial during times of high stress. I view them as an aid to staying balanced in body and mind.
I would have thought that the opposite is true. I guess it really depends on your location and who your friends or family members are/associate with. I tend to ignore studies because they either state the obvious or they make claims that are far too general. When they provide concrete data and answers to questions, then I'm far more interested. This is interesting but far too generic.
That sounds a little bit odd to me. I'm not sure why it really matters, it can definitely happen to either a graduate or a non-grad but it sucks either way. I agree with the last post, I would've thought it had been the other way around if such a thought had ever even crossed my mind...