Associations between insomnia symptoms and prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse in a nationally representative sample

Citation

Short, Nicole A.; Austin, Anna E.; & Naumann, Rebecca B. (2022). Associations between insomnia symptoms and prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse in a nationally representative sample. Addictive Behaviors.

Abstract

Background There are complex associations between insomnia symptoms and misuse of prescription drugs. The aim of this study was to examine prospective associations between insomnia symptoms and prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse among a nationally representative sample of adults. Methods Utilizing data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N=10,685), we conducted log-binomial regression to examine associations of insomnia symptoms at Wave IV (2008-2009; 24-32 years) with prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse at Wave V (2016-2018; 33-43 years). We adjusted analyses for prior insomnia symptoms and substance misuse, as well as potential demographic and health-related confounders. Results Each unit increase in insomnia symptoms at Wave IV was associated with a small increase in the likelihood of prescription opioid (RR=1.08, 95% CI 1.01, 1.15) but not benzodiazepine (RR=1.09, 95% CI 0.99, 1.21) use at Wave V. Both prescription opioid (β=0.20, 95% CI 0.09, .031) and benzodiazepine (β=0.21, 95% CI 0.10, 0.33) misuse at Wave IV had small associations with elevated insomnia symptoms at Wave V. Conclusions Results support associations between prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse and later insomnia symptoms. There was a small association between insomnia symptoms and later prescription opioid misuse worthy of future study. These results fit within a broad line of research suggesting that insomnia symptoms are associated with future substance use and vice versa. Future research is needed explore mechanisms (e.g., mental health, pain) underlying these associations.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107507

Keyword(s)

substance use

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Addictive Behaviors

Author(s)

Short, Nicole A.
Austin, Anna E.
Naumann, Rebecca B.

Year Published

2022

Edition

October 01, 2022

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107507

Reference ID

9796