Association of childhood abuse and prescription opioid use in early adulthood

Citation

Austin, Anna E.; Shanahan, Meghan E.; & Zvara, Bharathi J. (2018). Association of childhood abuse and prescription opioid use in early adulthood. Addictive Behaviors. vol. 76 (Supplement C) pp. 265-269

Abstract

Previous research has examined the association of childhood abuse with opioid misuse and dependence in adulthood. However, little research has focused specifically on prescription opioids, and no studies have examined associations with prescription opioid use, a potential pathway to later opioid misuse and dependence. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse with prescription opioid use in early adulthood. We used data from Waves I (12–18years) and IV (24–32years) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. At Wave IV, respondents reported experiences of childhood abuse occurring prior to age 18years and prescription opioid use in the last four weeks. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to examine associations of childhood abuse with recent prescription opioid use. In multivariable models adjusted for respondent sex, race/ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status, childhood emotional abuse (OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.29, 1.90), physical abuse (OR=1.46, 95% CI 1.14, 1.87), and any childhood abuse (OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.24, 1.82) were significantly associated with recent prescription opioid use. Given continued increases in prescription opioid use and opioid-related morbidity and mortality in the U.S., understanding upstream social and environmental factors associated with prescription opioid use is important to strengthening and expanding current prevention and intervention strategies. Future research is needed to examine factors potentially mediating the association between childhood abuse and prescription opioid use in order to provide additional insights for prevention and intervention efforts.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.08.033

Keyword(s)

Childhood abuse Prescription opioids

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Addictive Behaviors

Author(s)

Austin, Anna E.
Shanahan, Meghan E.
Zvara, Bharathi J.

Year Published

2018

Volume Number

76

Issue Number

Supplement C

Pages

265-269

Edition

September 1, 2017

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.08.033

Reference ID

8266