bacchus 2015 presentation - prescription drugs on college campuses: a slippery slope
TRANSCRIPT
Prescription Drug Abuse on College
Campuses: A Slippery Slope
Project HealthThe University of Alabama
Ally Siegler, Trevor Fain, Elisabeth Weber
7 millionpeople in 2010 were nonmedical users of Rx drugs
NSDUH, 2010
90%of students have access to prescription stimulants from their peers or
friends
SAMHSA, 2009
1/3of students will abuse or misuse prescription drugs in their college
career
Clinton Foundation, 2014
What is prescription
drug abuse/misus
e?
is “the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited”
-National Institute on Drug Abuse
AdderallVyvanseXanax
OxycontinVicodinValium
KlonopinPercocetCodeineRitalin
Misuse vs. Abuse
Misuse vs. Abuse
Misuse is taking a medication other than prescribed
Abuse is all about intention to get a “high”
Ex: Sleeping pill to sleep OR pain pill for euphoriaFDA, 2015
Misuse or
Abuse?
A friend can’t seem to focus when studying
for a test and asks their friend if they can buy
some of their prescription Adderall. The friend gives it to
them for free and tells them they can use it
anytime if it helps them study.
Misuse or
Abuse?
It’s been a long week and a few friends
decide to go out and drink at a party to let
loose. While at the party, they are offered Xanax. They take it to increase the effects of
the alcohol.
College Students: Who, Why, and How?
Reasons for Rx abuse
“It’s safe because it is prescribed”
“It’s not as bad as taking other illegal
drugs”
KSU Alcohol and Other Drug Education Service, 2005
1 in 4 college students has taken a drug non-medically
The CDC has officially declared prescription drug abuse in the US as an epidemic
WHY?
CDC, 2013FDA, 2015
Access to drugs90% of students are able to access stimulants from
their peers or friends
28% of those with legal prescription report giving their Rx drugs to others, and 52% felt pressured to do
so “Doctor shopping” and the Internet
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, 2014
Scenario Part 1
What kinds of prescription
drugs are abused/misused?
Stimulants
Mimic the actions of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine
“floods the brain with amp-up, feel-good chemicals, leaving us feeling alert, euphoric, and ready for anything.”
Gives users increased energy and mental alertness
How do they work?
Columbia Science Review, 2013PBS, 2013
Why are they dangerous?Dependence
Feelings of hostility and paranoia
High body temperature and irregular heartbeat
Cardiovascular failure and lethal seizures
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 2015
Sedatives
How do they work?Enhance GABA activity
Slows brain down
Cause impaired coordination, drowsiness, respiratory depression
UMD Center for Substance Abuse Research, 2013CNN, 2010
Why are they dangerous?Tolerance
Brain overcompensates
Combination with alcohol = fatalCNN, 2010PBS, 2013
Opioids
How do they work?Attach to “opioid receptors”
Block perception of pain
Causes drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, and respiratory depression
NIDA, 2014
Why are they dangerous?
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 2015Johnson & North, 1992CPCC, 2015
Addictive
Severe respiratory depression can cause death
Scenario Part 2
The Slippery Slope of Drug Addiction Among College
Students
Drug Addiction Among College Students
About 90% have access
It only takes one time
Almost 1 in 4 of the nation’s college students (about 1.8 million) meet
the medical criteria for substance abuse or dependence
casacolumbia.orgSAMHSA, 2009b
Nonmedical Adderall UseA commonly offered prescription drug among college campuses is Adderall.
Nonmedical effect
Tolerance
Binge drinking, heavy alcohol use
Use of cocaine and prescription tranquilizers
Use of prescription painkillers
McCabe, Teter, Boyd, Knight, Wechsler 2007 Bradford Health Services Addiction Blog 2012Partnership for Drug Free Kids
Nonmedical Opioid Use Opioids are another class of drugs that are commonly abused on college
campuses
Fourfold increase of opioid abuse in people between 18-25
Tolerance
Heroin/Cocaine
Lifelong drug abuse
McCabe, Teter, Boyd, Knight, Wechsler 2007NCPIE
The Slippery Slope of Drug Addiction
Gateway Drugs
Further drug and alcohol misuse and abuse
Develop drug abuse problems
Lower GPAs, less time studying, less time dedicated to classes
McCabe, Teter, Boyd, Knight, Wechsler 2007McCabe 2008
Scenario Part 3
How can we make a difference?
Project Health and Rx DrugsAlternatives to Prescription Drugs
Sleep, stress and time management
Dispose of old medications
Resources: SAMHSA, Student Health Center Substance Abuse Services, Collegiate Recovery Programs
Sharing is Dealing!Dangers of mixing
What do you do on your campus?
Contact InfoTrevor Fain
Ally [email protected]
Elisabeth Weber [email protected]
Project Health projecthealth.ua.edu
(205) 348-5617
Referenceshttp://archive.samhsa.gov/data/2k12/NSDUH115/sr115-nonmedical-use-pain-relievers.htm
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/blog/2014/01/12/rising-epidemic-college-campuses-prescription-drug-abuse
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm220112.htm#top
https://www.k-state.edu/counseling/student/aodes_news/f05vol38.pdf
http://www.drugfree.org/newsroom/adhd-survey-2014
http://www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/GetTheFacts.pdf
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-prescription-drug-abuse-college-campuses
http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/tolerance-to-adderall/
http://luxury.rehabs.com/adderall-addiction/statistics/
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/7902786_Nonmedical_use_of_prescription_opioids_among_U.S._college_students
https://bradfordhealth.com/drug-tolerance
Referenceshttp://columbiasciencereview.com/2013/03/29/how-does-adderall-work-a-psa/
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/which-prescription-drugs-do-americans-abuse-most
http://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/drugs-of-abuse-prescription-drugs-painkillers/
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/benzos.asp
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/expert.q.a/03/23/xanax.long.term.use.raison/index.html?hpt=Mid
http://www.dao.health.wa.gov.au/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/Download.aspx?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=439&PortalId=0&TabId=211
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/how-do-opioids-affect-brain-body
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1346804
http://poisoncontrol.uchc.edu/about_poisons/medications/opioids/faq.html