During the past two years, opioid
analgesic prescriptions being written to young adults has increased greatly,
but also, the non-medical use of these drugs have been on the rise as well. Sadly,
this age group is at risk for becoming the highest vulnerability of becoming
addicted to prescription opiates. Often, those addicted started at a prescribed
rate, which became an uncontrollable addiction. The study researched two
hundred and seventy seven undergraduate students from Midwestern universities
who were promised to receive credit whether or not they have used opioids in
their lifetime.
The researchers used four measurement
tools to yield their results. They found that college year and status was
proportionate in response to opioid use. This determines that opioid use does
not discriminate among college-aged students and all students need to be
careful with participating in both prescribed and non-prescribed opioid use. They
also found that this drug when prescribed enhances craving and desire to use
more, and also exhibits relief from negative moods. This finding promotes that
even prescription opioid use can be dangerous if not regulated properly. Its
basic properties cause craving for more of the drug because it reduces negative
circumstance, which can become positively reinforcing among the busy and
stressed general college population. The risk increases with non-medically prescribed
users because is causes an even stronger craving and desire among those who
self-medicate. It is important for doctors to keep an eye on their patients who
use opioids ‘properly’, but who will watch those who obtain this drug by
illegal means.
This study, as all do, contained a few
minor limitations in its research method. This was only done on one university,
which could definitely change the results if multiple universities and other
demographics were surveyed. Also, the majority of the questions in the study
were about prescription opioid use, if the integration of non-use was included
at a higher rate, I believe the results would change.
Ashrafioun,
L., & Carels, R. (2014). Prescription opioid use among university students:
Assessment of post-cue exposure craving. Addictive Behaviors, 39(3), 586-592. doi:
10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.11.012
ABSTRACT
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