Prescription drug use
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Trends in Prescription Drug Use in the United States
Prescription drug use has increased significantly in the United States over recent decades, with more people using medications for longer periods of their lives. From 1999-2000 through 2007-2008, the percentage of the U.S. population using at least one prescription drug rose, and by 2015-2016, this trend continued across all age, sex, and racial groups 39. Newborns in 2019 could expect to spend nearly half their lives taking prescription drugs, with women averaging 47.5 years and men 36.8 years of use . Polypharmacy, or the use of five or more prescription drugs, is especially common among older adults due to multiple chronic conditions 69.
Prescription Drug Use in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Prescription medication use is also prevalent among children and adolescents. Nearly 20% of U.S. children and adolescents used at least one prescription medication in 2013-2014, and 7.5% used two or more concurrently, raising concerns about potential drug-drug interactions, especially among adolescent girls . Among adolescents and young adults, prescription drug misuse—defined as using medication in ways not prescribed—has become a significant health issue, with a lifetime prevalence of 12% among those aged 12-17 in the U.S. in 2017 . Misuse in this group is linked to illicit drug use, academic decline, future delinquency, and mental health problems 45.
Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse: Patterns and Risk Factors
Prescription drug misuse and abuse have emerged as major public health threats, particularly involving controlled prescription drugs like opioids 1210. Misuse includes taking medication without a prescription or in ways not intended by the prescriber, and is associated with increased risk of harm, including addiction and overdose 210. The prevalence and motives for misuse vary by age: younger people are more likely to misuse drugs for recreational reasons, while older adults tend to misuse for self-treatment . Prescription drug misuse often co-occurs with other substance use and mental health issues across all age groups .
Social and Environmental Influences on Prescription Drug Use
Social learning, social control, and strain are important factors influencing prescription drug misuse among adolescents, with unique patterns compared to other illicit drugs . Individual risk factors include identity crisis and role confusion, while environmental influences such as peer behavior and access to medications also play a role 45. Differences in prescription drug use are also seen by race and ethnicity, with non-Hispanic Whites using the most, Hispanics the least, and non-Hispanic Blacks falling in between .
Public Health and Safety Concerns
The rise in prescription drug use and misuse has led to increased public health and safety concerns, including the risk of major drug-drug interactions, especially in populations with high rates of concurrent medication use . The abuse of controlled prescription drugs, particularly opioids, has contributed to a modern-day epidemic, now second only to marijuana use across all age groups in the U.S. 110. Legal policies, monitoring systems, and behavioral interventions are being used to minimize misuse and prevent harm 25.
Conclusion
Prescription drug use is a central and growing part of life in the United States, affecting people of all ages. While these medications play a crucial role in managing health conditions, their misuse and the risks associated with polypharmacy and drug interactions present significant challenges. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts from healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to ensure safe and effective use of prescription drugs across the lifespan 257.
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