Top 10 Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics
- Over 16 million people in the United States misused prescription drugs at least once in the past year.
- The number of opioid overdose deaths has increased by 500% since 1999.
- Prescription drug abuse costs the United States over $78 billion annually.
- Overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, increased by 830% from 1999 to 2017.
- Over 70% of people who misuse prescription drugs get them from friends or relatives.
- More than 11 million people in the United States reported misusing prescription opioids in 2016.
- Prescription drug abuse is most common among young adults aged 18 to 25.
- Over 2 million Americans have a substance use disorder related to prescription opioids.
- The number of emergency department visits related to prescription drug misuse or abuse doubled from 2005 to 2011.
- The rate of prescription drug overdose deaths is highest among people aged 45 to 54.
How common is prescription drug use?
- According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 16 million people in the United States misused prescription drugs at least once in the past year.
- This means that approximately 6% of the population aged 12 or older has misused prescription drugs in the past year.
- Among those who misuse prescription drugs, opioids are the most commonly abused, with over 10 million people reporting misuse of opioid pain relievers.
- Additionally, around 2 million people reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers, and almost 1.5 million reported misuse of prescription stimulants.
Most Common Causes of Prescription Drug Abuse
- 62% of people who abuse prescription drugs do so to relieve physical pain.
- 22% of people abuse prescription drugs to cope with stress or emotional pain.
- 13% of people misuse prescription drugs because they like the way they feel.
- 3% of people abuse prescription drugs because they believe it will enhance their academic or athletic performance.
Prescription Drug Price Trends
- The cost of prescription drugs has been increasing rapidly in the United States, with prices rising by an average of 33% from 2014 to 2019.
- In 2020, the average annual cost of a prescription drug in the US was over $6,000.
- Between 2008 and 2018, the price of insulin increased by more than 250%, making it unaffordable for many people with diabetes.
- According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports in 2020, one in four Americans reported difficulty affording their prescription medications.
Commonly Abused Psychotherapeutic Prescriptions
- According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, psychotherapeutic drugs are the most commonly abused prescription medications.
- In 2019, over 20% of people aged 12 or older who misused prescription drugs reported using psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes.
- Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, are among the most commonly abused psychotherapeutic prescriptions, with over 5 million people reporting misuse in 2019.
- Other frequently abused psychotherapeutic prescriptions include stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin (over 4 million people reported misuse), sedatives like Ambien (over 1.5 million people reported misuse), and antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft (over 1 million people reported misuse).
Prescription Drug Abuse Costs
- Prescription drug abuse costs the United States over $78 billion annually.
- A study by the National Safety Council found that substance abuse issues, including prescription drug abuse, cost employers an average of $81 billion per year in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the economic burden of prescription opioid overdose alone in the United States is $78.5 billion per year, including healthcare costs, lost productivity, and criminal justice involvement.
Prescription Abuse Statistics by Age Group
- Among young adults aged 18 to 25, prescription drug abuse is the highest with a percentage of 14.4%.
- Adults aged 26 to 34 have a prescription drug abuse percentage of 12.8%.
- Adults aged 35 to 49 have a prescription drug abuse percentage of 8.7%.
- Adults aged 50 and above have a prescription drug abuse percentage of 5.9%.
Prescription Abuse Statistics by Ethnicity
- Among ethnic groups, American Indian or Alaska Native adults have the highest prescription drug abuse percentage with 12.1%.
- White adults follow closely behind with a percentage of 8.6%.
- Hispanic and Latino adults have a prescription drug abuse percentage of 7.3%.
- African American adults have the lowest prescription drug abuse rate at 5.4%.
Prescription Abuse By Gender
- Men are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than women, with a percentage of 6.4% compared to 5.2%.
- In terms of age groups, young adult men aged 18 to 25 have the highest rate of prescription drug abuse at 16.5%.
Painkillers Abuse Statistics
- Painkillers are the most commonly abused prescription drugs, with over 50% of prescription drug abuse cases involving painkillers.
- In 2017, approximately 1.7 million people in the United States suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription pain relievers.
- Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, increased by 10% from 2018 to 2019.
- The rate of opioid prescribing in the United States is highest among adults aged 55 to 64.
Opioid Abuse Statistics
- In 2019, opioids were involved in nearly 50,000 overdose deaths in the United States.
- The number of prescription opioids sold to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors' offices has decreased by 37% since its peak in 2010.
- In 2020, an estimated 1.6 million people had an opioid use disorder.
- Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (such as fentanyl) increased by 38.4% from 2019 to 2020.
- Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids decreased by about 36% from their peak in 2011.
Stimulant Abuse Statistics
- Stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are the second most commonly abused prescription drugs after painkillers.
- In 2019, an estimated 5.2 million people reported misusing prescription stimulants in their lifetime.
- College students are particularly at risk for stimulant abuse, with approximately 6% reporting non-medical use of prescription stimulants in the past year.
- Among adults aged 18 to 25, the rate of non-medical use of prescription stimulants is highest at 5.8%, compared to adults aged 26 to 34 at 3.8% and those aged 35 and above at less than 2%.
- Non-medical use of prescription stimulants is more common among men than women, with a percentage of 3.7% compared to women's percentage of 2%.
Sedative and Tranquilizer Abuse
- Sedatives and tranquilizers, such as Xanax and Valium, are commonly abused prescription drugs.
- In 2019, an estimated 4.9 million people reported misusing prescription sedatives or tranquilizers in their lifetime.
- Women are more likely to abuse sedatives or tranquilizers than men, with a percentage of 2.6% compared to men's percentage of 1.5%.
- Among adults aged 18 to 25, the rate of non-medical use of prescription sedatives or tranquilizers is highest at 3.4%, compared to adults aged 26 to 34 at 2.3% and those aged 35 and above at less than 1%.
Benzodiazepine Abuse
- Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, are highly addictive prescription drugs that are commonly abused.
- In 2019, an estimated 5.4 million people reported misusing benzodiazepines in their lifetime.
- Among adults aged 18 to 25, the rate of non-medical use of benzodiazepines is highest at 6.8%, compared to adults aged 26 to 34 at 4.7% and those aged 35 and above at less than 3%.
- Overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines increased by 830% from 1999 to 2017.
- Benzodiazepine abuse often leads to addiction and other health problems, including respiratory depression and overdose.
FAQs
What is prescription drug abuse?
Prescription drug abuse refers to the misuse of prescription medications, including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and sedatives. This can involve taking medication in a way that is not prescribed by a doctor, taking medication that was prescribed to someone else, or taking medication for non-medical purposes.
Who is most at risk for prescription drug abuse?
Prescription drug abuse can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. However, certain factors may increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder related to prescription drugs. These include a personal or family history of addiction, mental health disorders, chronic pain conditions, and easy access to prescription medications.
How can I tell if someone is abusing prescription drugs?
Signs of prescription drug abuse may include changes in behavior or mood, such as increased irritability or agitation; physical symptoms such as drowsiness or slurred speech; changes in sleep patterns; and neglecting responsibilities at work or school.
What are the long-term effects of prescription drug abuse?
Long-term use of prescription drugs can lead to physical dependence and addiction. It can also increase the risk of overdose and other health problems such as respiratory depression, liver damage, and heart problems.
How can I prevent prescription drug abuse?
To prevent prescription drug abuse, it's important to only take medication that has been prescribed by a healthcare provider. Never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication.
Make sure to properly dispose of any unused medications. If you have concerns about your own use of prescription drugs or that of a loved one, seek help from a healthcare provider or addiction specialist.
Where can I find more information about prescription drug abuse?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are both excellent resources for information about prescription drug abuse, addiction, and treatment options. Your healthcare provider or local community health center may also be able to provide information and resources.
What is the risk of prescription drug abuse?
Prescription drug abuse can lead to a range of negative health consequences, including:
- Addiction: Prescription drugs can be highly addictive, and prolonged use can lead to physical and psychological dependence.
- Overdose: Taking too much of a prescription drug can lead to an overdose, which can be fatal.
- Damage to vital organs: Prescription drugs can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, heart, and other organs, especially if taken in large amounts or over a long period of time.
- Increased risk of accidents: Prescription drug abuse can impair judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Mental health problems: Prescription drug abuse can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
It's important to use prescription drugs only as directed by a doctor and to never share them with others. If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse, seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction specialist.
Summary
Prescription drug abuse is a major problem in the United States, with millions of people misusing prescription drugs each year. Opioids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs, followed by psychotherapeutic prescriptions such as benzodiazepines and stimulants.
Prescription drug abuse can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder related to prescription drugs. Long-term use of prescription drugs can lead to physical dependence and addiction, as well as other health problems such as overdose and damage to vital organs.
To prevent prescription drug abuse, it's important to only take medication that has been prescribed by a healthcare provider and properly dispose of any unused medications. If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug abuse, seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction specialist.
References
https://drugabusestatistics.org/prescription-drug-abuse-statistics/
https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/abuse-international-statistics.html
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5140/index.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db334.htm
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR2-2015/NSDUH-FFR2-2015.htm
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/prescription-drug-statistics/
