OBJECTIVES: To determine how characteristics and substance abuse differs across the lifespan for people who either abuse or are dependent on pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants or sedatives.

METHODS: Data are from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health(NSDUH). We examined patient characteristics and substance abuse (cigarette, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens) related to prescription drug abuse or dependence. Analyses were stratified by age category(12-17, 18-25, 26-34, 35-49, 50+) to determine whether characteristics and behaviors differed across the lifespan among prescription drug abusers. Regression analyses were conducted in the R package purrr. The NSDUH dataset is de-identified and publicly available, so we did not seek IRB approval.

RESULTS: Prescription drug abuse and dependence differed by age (0.7% for 12-17 year olds (yo), 1.6% for 18-25yo, 1.6% for 26-34yo, 0.98% for 35-49yo, 0.5% for age 50 and above) and by other patient characteristics. Prescription drug abuse was significantly related to other substance abuse, but utilization differed by age. Among prescription drug abusers, 34% of those under age 18 smoked cigarettes compared to over 60% of those between and 50yo and 53% of those over age 50. Binge alcohol drinking, in contrast, was prevalent among those under age 18 (59%) compared to those over age 50 (38%). Marijuana use was most common among the 18-25yo at 67% compared to 23% among those over age 50. Self-reported excellent health differed by age; none of the prescription drug abusers age 50+ reported excellent health, compared to 15% of those under age 18.

CONCLUSIONS: Prescription drug abuse is significantly related to age. It is also significantly associated with all of the other types of substance abuse that we examined including cigarette, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Further research is needed to examine concomitant substance abuse issues across the lifespan to support prevention and treatment programs.