Over 40% of US Adults Have Taken a Prescription Opioid or Sedative in the Past Year; 8% Have Taken Both

The use of opioids and benzodiazepines—both prescribed and non-medically—has increased in the US in the last two decades. This is a major public health concern because concomitant use increases the risk of overdose. In this study, researchers used data from the 2015 and 2016 National Survey of Drug Use and Health to estimate the proportion of US adults who had taken an opioid (including methadone and buprenorphine) or sedative (including benzodiazepines, cyclobenzaprine, and carisoprodol) in the past year, and demographic factors associated with use.

• Overall, 41% of participants reported any use (prescribed and non-medical) of a prescription opioid or sedative in the past year; 29% reported only opioids, 4% only sedatives, and 8% reported both. Among those who reported any use of both opioids and sedatives, 72% had been prescribed these medications.
• Use of these substances (prescribed and non-medical) was associated with older age, female gender, non-Hispanic white ethnicity, being unmarried, and not being in the workforce.
• Non-medical use (versus prescribed) was associated with younger age, male gender, non-white/Hispanic ethnicity, being unmarried, and not being in the workforce.

Comments: This study shows that prescribed and non-medical use of prescription opioids and sedatives in the US is a common experience; an alarmingly high number of adults (one in twelve), are using both. This is particularly concerning given the risks associated with the use of these medications, especially concomitantly.

Darius A. Rastegar, MD

Reference: Li C, Santaella-Tenorio J, Mauro PM, Martins SS. Past-year use of prescription opioids and/or benzodiazepines among adults in the United States: estimating medical and non-medical use in 2015–2016. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2019;204:107458.