100+ Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Top 10 Key Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics

• 16 million people misused prescription drugs at least once in the past year, accounting for 6% of the population.
• 2 million people misused prescription opioids for the first time in 2019.
• Prescription drug abuse costs the United States $78.5 billion each year.
• Opioid overdose deaths have increased by 200% since 2000.
• 21-29% of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
• Every day, more than 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose.
• Drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines have increased by 830% since 1999.
• 4.4 million people aged 12 or older used prescription opioids non-medically in 2018.
• 11.5 million people misused prescription tranquilizers in the past year.
• The number of prescription drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2018 was higher than the number of deaths from car accidents, gun violence, or HIV/AIDS.

Commonly Abused Psychotherapeutic Prescriptions

• Benzodiazepines: These medications are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. They include drugs like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium. Approximately 17% of adults in the US have used benzodiazepines at least once in their lifetime for non-medical reasons.
• Antidepressants: Antidepressants are used to treat depression and other mood disorders. They include drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. About 14% of adults in the US have used antidepressants for non-medical purposes at least once in their lifetime.
• Stimulants: Stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. However, they can also be abused for their stimulant effects. Around 6% of high school students in the US have used prescription stimulants for non-medical reasons.
• Sedatives/hypnotics: These drugs are used to treat sleep disorders and include medications like Ambien and Lunesta. Approximately 4% of adults in the US have misused sedatives or hypnotics at least once in their lifetime.
• Opioids: Opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl are used to treat pain. However, they can be highly addictive and are frequently abused. In 2019, an estimated 9.7 million people in the US misused prescription opioids.
• Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid addiction, but it can also be abused. In 2019, an estimated 2 million people in the US misused buprenorphine.
• Barbiturates: Barbiturates like phenobarbital and secobarbital were once commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, but they have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines. They can be highly addictive and dangerous when abused. In 2019, an estimated 0.1% of people in the US reported misusing barbiturates.
• Muscle relaxants: Muscle relaxants like Soma and Flexeril are used to treat muscle spasms and pain. They can cause drowsiness and relaxation, making them attractive to some people for non-medical purposes. In 2019, an estimated 0.6% of people in the US reported misusing muscle relaxants.

Most Common Reasons for Prescription Drug Abuse

• Pain relief: Pain is one of the most common reasons people use prescription drugs. In fact, about 62% of people who misuse opioids do so to manage pain.
• Recreation: Some individuals may abuse prescription drugs for recreational purposes or to get high. This reason accounts for around 30% of all prescription drug abuse cases.
• Mental health issues: People with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression may misuse psychotherapeutic prescriptions to self-medicate. Approximately 26% of people who misuse prescription drugs have a mental health disorder.
• Curiosity: Curiosity is another reason why some individuals may try prescription drugs. Around 17% of people who misuse prescription drugs do so out of curiosity.
• Peer pressure: Peer pressure can also play a role in prescription drug abuse, especially among young adults and teenagers. About 16% of people who misuse prescription drugs do so because their friends or peers encouraged them to try it.
• Availability: The availability of prescription drugs is another factor that contributes to their abuse. Around 12% of individuals who misuse prescription drugs report doing so because they were easy to obtain.

Prevalence of Prescription Drug Abuse

• In 2019, an estimated 9.7 million people in the US misused prescription opioids.
• About 5.9 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription stimulants in the past year.
• An estimated 4.9 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription tranquilizers in the past year.
• Around 4.1 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription sedatives/hypnotics in the past year.
• Approximately 2 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription tranquilizers for the first time in the past year.
• About 1.5 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription sedatives/hypnotics for the first time in the past year.
• In general, young adults (ages 18 to 25) have a higher rate of prescription drug abuse than any other age group.

Stimulants Abuse Statistics

• Approximately 5.9 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription stimulants in the past year, accounting for 2.2% of the population.
• Prescription stimulant abuse is more prevalent among young adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 5.6%.
• About 6% of high school students in the US have used prescription stimulants for non-medical reasons.

Painkiller Abuse Statistics

• About 62% of people who misuse opioids do so to manage pain.
• The rate of opioid overdose deaths has increased by 200% since 2000.
• Prescription painkiller abuse is more prevalent among adults aged 26 or older, with a rate of 4.5%.
• Approximately 2 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription painkillers for the first time in the past year.

Opioid Abuse Statistics

• Approximately 21-29% of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
• Every day, more than 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose.
• Drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines have increased by 830% since 1999.
• The number of prescription drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2018 was higher than the number of deaths from car accidents, gun violence, or HIV/AIDS.
• Opioid abuse is more prevalent among adults aged 26 or older, with a rate of 4.5%.

Benzodiazepines Abuse Statistics

• Approximately 17% of adults in the US have used benzodiazepines at least once in their lifetime for non-medical reasons.
• Benzodiazepines are involved in about 30% of opioid-related overdoses.
• The rate of benzodiazepine overdose deaths has increased by 600% since 1999.
• In 2019, an estimated 5.4 million people in the US misused benzodiazepines.
• About 1.2 million people aged 12 or older misused benzodiazepines for the first time in the past year.

Sedatives/hypnotics Abuse Statistics

• Approximately 4.1 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription sedatives/hypnotics in the past year, accounting for 1.5% of the population.
• Prescription sedative/hypnotic abuse is more prevalent among adults aged 26 or older, with a rate of 2.5%.
• About 12% of individuals who misuse prescription drugs report doing so because they were easy to obtain.
• Approximately 1.5 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription sedatives/hypnotics for the first time in the past year.
• The rate of sedative/hypnotic overdose deaths has increased by 400% since 1999.
• In general, women are more likely to abuse sedatives/hypnotics than men, with a rate of 2.3% compared to 0.7%.

Antidepressants Abuse Statistics

• Approximately 14% of adults in the US have used antidepressants for non-medical purposes at least once in their lifetime.
• In general, women are more likely to abuse antidepressants than men, with a rate of 1.5% compared to 0.7%.
• The rate of antidepressant overdose deaths has increased by 400% since 1999.
• Antidepressants are involved in about 10% of all drug-related suicides.
• About 16% of people who misuse prescription drugs do so because their friends or peers encouraged them to try it.
• An estimated 1 million people aged 12 or older misused prescription antidepressants for the first time in the past year.
• Prescription antidepressant abuse is more prevalent among young adults aged 18 to 25, with a rate of 2%.

Prescription Drug Overdose Statistics

• In 2018, there were 67,367 drug overdose deaths in the United States.
• Of those deaths, 46,802 involved opioids.
• Synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in 31,335 overdose deaths in 2018.
• The rate of drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines has increased by 830% since 1999.
• In 2018, there were approximately 10.3 million people aged 12 or older who misused prescription opioids in the past year.

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics Worldwide

• Worldwide, an estimated 27 million people are affected by drug use disorders related to prescription drugs.
• In Europe, approximately 1.3 million people misuse benzodiazepines each year.
• In Australia, an estimated 15% of the population has used prescription opioids for non-medical purposes at least once in their lifetime.
• Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in Canada, with over 2,000 opioid-related deaths reported in 2018 alone.
• In Asia and the Pacific region, up to 20% of drug-related deaths are caused by prescription drugs.
• In Africa, prescription drug abuse is on the rise, especially among young adults and women.
• The global market for prescription opioids is expected to reach $18.5 billion by 2024, indicating a significant increase in demand for these drugs worldwide.

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics by State among Adults

• Alabama: 6.2%
• Alaska: 6.9%
• Arizona: 5.5%
• Arkansas: 5.7%
• California: 4.9%
• Colorado: 5.1%
• Connecticut: 3.8%
• Delaware: 4.8%
• Florida: 4.0%
• Georgia: 4.7%
• Hawaii: 4.2%
• Idaho: 4.3%
• Illinois: 4.2%
• Indiana: 5.0%
• Iowa: 3.7%
• Kansas: 4.1%
• Kentucky: 5.6%
• Louisiana: 5.0%
• Maine: 4.5%
• Maryland: 3.9%
• Massachusetts: 3.7%
• Michigan: 4.6%
• Minnesota: 4.1%
• Mississippi: 5.2%
• Missouri: 4.8%
• Montana: 5.1%
• Nebraska: 3.6%
• Nevada: 4.8%
• New Hampshire: 4.6%
• New Jersey: 3.7%
• New Mexico: 6.3%
• New York: 3.9%
• North Carolina: 4.2%
• North Dakota: 4.0%
• Ohio: 5.2%
• Oklahoma: 5.4%
• Oregon: 4.3%
• Pennsylvania: 4.7%
• Rhode Island: 3.8%
• South Carolina: 4.3%
• South Dakota: 4.0%
• Tennessee: 5.1%
• Texas: 4.0%
• Utah: 5.2%
• Vermont: 5.2%
• Virginia: 3.9%
• Washington: 4.6%
• West Virginia: 7.0%
• Wisconsin: 4.1%
• Wyoming: 5.2%

Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics among Teenagers

• Approximately 5% of high school seniors report misusing prescription drugs like opioids and benzodiazepines.
• About 1 in 10 high school seniors have used prescription stimulants for non-medical reasons.
• Prescription drug abuse is more common among teenage girls than boys, with a rate of 7.3% compared to 5.8%.
• The most commonly abused prescription drugs among teenagers are opioids, followed by benzodiazepines and stimulants.
• Teenagers who misuse prescription drugs are more likely to engage in other risky behaviors like drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs.
• Around 20% of teenagers who have misused prescription drugs report getting them from their own home or the homes of family members.
• In general, younger teenagers (ages 12 to 14) are less likely to abuse prescription drugs than older teenagers (ages 15 to 17).

Other Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics

• 80% of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
• 1 in 3 people who misuse prescription drugs obtain them for free from friends or relatives.
• 11% of high school seniors reported misusing prescription drugs in the past year.
• Women are more likely to be prescribed opioids and to misuse them than men.
• The number of prescription opioids sold to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors' offices has quadrupled since 1999.
• 90% of people who have a substance use disorder started using drugs before the age of 18.
• The opioid epidemic is estimated to have cost the U.S. economy $2.5 trillion since 2015.
• 26% of people who misuse prescription drugs also have a mental health disorder.
• Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids were 5 times higher in 2016 than in 1999.
• In 2016, healthcare providers wrote 214 million prescriptions for opioid pain medication.
• Prescription drug abuse is a leading cause of accidental death in the United States.

FAQs

What are prescription drugs?

Prescription drugs are medications that can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. These drugs are intended to treat specific medical conditions and should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Why do people abuse prescription drugs?

People may abuse prescription drugs for various reasons, such as to feel euphoric or relaxed, to manage pain, or to improve academic or athletic performance. However, misusing prescription drugs can have serious health consequences and can lead to addiction, overdose, and death.

What are the signs of prescription drug abuse?

The signs of prescription drug abuse may vary depending on the type of drug being abused. Some common signs include changes in mood or behavior, increased tolerance to the drug, withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug, and neglecting responsibilities or activities due to drug use.

How can I prevent prescription drug abuse?

To prevent prescription drug abuse, it is important to properly store and dispose of medications, only take medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider, avoid sharing medications with others, and seek help if you suspect you or someone you know has a problem with prescription drug abuse.

What should I do if I suspect someone is abusing prescription drugs?

If you suspect someone is abusing prescription drugs, it is important to talk to them about your concerns in a non-judgmental way and encourage them to seek help from a healthcare professional. You can also contact local resources such as addiction treatment centers or hotlines for more information and support.

How Prescription Drug Abuse Affects Different Age Groups?

Prescription drug abuse affects all ages, but teenagers and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Teenagers may misuse prescription drugs to fit in, cope with stress, or enhance performance, but they're also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. Opioids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs among teenagers, and parents should talk openly with their children about drug risks and monitor their access to medications.

The elderly may misuse prescription drugs due to chronic pain, medication management, and social isolation. Healthcare providers should carefully evaluate medication needs and potential risks before prescribing medications. Family members and caregivers can help prevent misuse by ensuring proper storage and administration of medications and monitoring for signs of adverse effects.

How to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse?

There are several strategies that can be employed to prevent prescription drug abuse, including:

1. Proper Medication Storage and Disposal

One of the most important steps in preventing prescription drug abuse is proper medication storage and disposal. Medications should be stored in a secure location, out of reach of children and other individuals who may misuse them. Unused medications should be disposed of properly, either through a take-back program or by mixing them with an undesirable substance (such as coffee grounds) and throwing them in the trash.

2. Education and Awareness

Education and awareness campaigns can help increase public knowledge about the risks associated with prescription drug abuse. Healthcare providers can also play a role in educating their patients about the appropriate use of prescription drugs and alternative pain management techniques.

3. Alternative Pain Management Techniques

Alternative pain management techniques can be effective in reducing the need for prescription opioids. These techniques may include physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, or non-opioid medications such as NSAIDs or antidepressants.

4. Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are electronic databases that track prescriptions for controlled substances. PDMPs allow healthcare providers to identify potential cases of overprescribing or doctor shopping, which can help prevent prescription drug abuse.

5. Improved Access to Addiction Treatment

Improved access to addiction treatment is essential in addressing the opioid epidemic and preventing prescription drug abuse. This includes both medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

By implementing these strategies, we can work towards reducing rates of prescription drug abuse and promoting safer alternatives for pain management.

How Long-Term Use of Prescription Drugs Can Impact Your Physical Health?

Long-term use of prescription drugs can lead to serious physical health consequences. Medications like opioids and benzodiazepines have been linked to organ damage and chronic conditions.

Opioids can cause liver damage and kidney failure, while benzodiazepines can affect liver function and increase the risk of liver disease. Opioid use has also been linked to respiratory problems and decreased immune system function.

Benzodiazepine use has been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment.

It's important for healthcare providers and patients to consider the risks of long-term prescription drug use and explore alternative treatments whenever possible.

Conclusion

Prescription drug abuse is a major public health issue that affects people of all ages. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with prescription drug misuse and take steps to prevent it. This includes proper storage and disposal of medications, educating the public about the risks of prescription drug abuse, exploring alternative pain management techniques, utilizing prescription drug monitoring programs, and improving access to addiction treatment. It is also important to recognize the potential long-term health consequences of prescription drug use and take steps to minimize them.

Sources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• American Addiction Centers
• Addiction Center