{"id":658,"date":"2025-01-23T15:54:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T15:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mopip.org\/pip\/?page_id=658"},"modified":"2026-02-12T21:51:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T21:51:23","slug":"prescription-drug-misuse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mopip.org\/pip\/prescription-drug-misuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Prescription Drug Misuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Pills\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Prescription drug misuse is a concern among college students.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some students try to manage their lives by misusing prescription drugs, either their own prescription or with medications they do not have prescriptions for. Students may turn to prescription drugs to improve academic performance, relieve stress, or even self-medicate. There are many serious health and legal dangers of misusing controlled substances.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Scope<\/span><\/summary>
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National Data<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 16 million<\/mark><\/strong> American aged 12 and over misuse prescription drugs each year.1<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, over 5 million Americans<\/mark><\/strong> aged 12 and over reported a prescription use disorder in the past year.2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prescription drugs are the second most commonly misused illicit substance<\/mark><\/strong>, after cannabis, used by 22.3% of the population, and ahead of cocaine, used by 1.5%.1<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missouri Data<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to the 2025 Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors (MACHB), 6.2%<\/mark><\/strong> of Missouri college students report prescription drug use without a doctor\u2019s prescription (an increase from 5.5% in 2024) in the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

60%<\/mark><\/strong> of Missouri college students who misused prescriptions were underage (21) and 40% were over 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18%<\/strong><\/mark> of students who report prescription drug misuse have co-used with alcohol at least once int he past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Past year reported use rates of various prescription drug categories are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulants\/
Amphetamines<\/strong><\/td>		Pain Medications\/Opiates<\/strong><\/td>Sleeping medications<\/strong><\/td>Sedatives\/
Benzodiazepines<\/strong><\/td>		Others<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
2.1%<\/td>2.7%<\/td>1.2%<\/td>0.9%<\/td>0.8%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n
General Information<\/span><\/summary>
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The Problem<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are many serious health and legal dangers of use and misuse of a controlled substances without a prescription. <\/strong>It is especially important to educate college students on the many dangers of misusing prescription drugs as Generation Rx<\/a> has found that about half of all college students will have the opportunity to misuse a prescription drug by their sophomore year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students may turn to prescription drugs to improve academic performance, relieve stress, or even self-medicate but these tendencies are not the norm!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a growing issue on college campuses and the pressure to take these drugs can be prominent. Prescription drugs can help us live longer and healthier lives – but only if they are used properly under medical direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The health risks of misusing prescription drugs are very serious yet widely misunderstood.<\/strong> Many believe prescription drugs are a safe alternative to illicit street drugs, when in fact more emergency department visits occur due to prescription drug misuse than due to illicit \u201cstreet\u201d drugs (SAMHSA). Additionally, with the emergence of fentanyl, and other contaminants, the use of prescription drugs have become even more dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Misconceptions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These beliefs regarding prescription medication misuse among college students stem from the misconception that prescription medications are not addictive<\/strong>. Some students also believe that there are no legal ramifications regarding prescription medications because they are legally prescribed by a doctor. Also, since prescription medications are seen as safer, many have the misconception that there is nothing wrong with using someone else\u2019s prescription and that these medications cannot lead to overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mixing prescription medications with alcoholic beverages significantly increases the risk and severity of possible physical and mental harm and may lead to overdose or death.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though there are many types of prescription drugs, the most misused fall into four categories: stimulants, painkillers, sleep medications and sedatives. Each of these categories\u2019 present dangerous health risks, but education on the dangers of misusing these drugs can help keep students safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chart below provides examples of these drugs, their effects, and other associated risks\/dangers. The possession of any of these medications without a prescription could result in legal consequences and can negatively affect your academic and professional career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Health Risks<\/strong><\/td>Other Consequences<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Stimulants<\/strong>
Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta<\/td>		High fever, convulsion, anxiety, hostility, nervousness, seizures, increased heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure<\/td>Excessive strain on the heart which can lead to heart failure and death<\/td><\/tr>
Pain Relievers<\/strong>
Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycotin<\/td>		Liver damage, intoxication, decreased mental alertness and concentration, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and decreased pain threshold<\/td>Regular and long-term misuse can lead to physical dependence and in sone cases addiction<\/td><\/tr>
Sleep Medications<\/strong>
Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta, Rozerem<\/td>		Lowered blood pressure, increased risk of respiratory distress, and increased risk of death when combined with alcohol<\/td>Combining sleep medications with alcohol is especially dangerous and can lead to death<\/td><\/tr>
Sedatives<\/strong>
Valium, Xanax, Ambien<\/td>		Loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, respiratory depression, aggressive behavior, hallucinations, and inability to form memories<\/td>Sudden withdrawal can cause convulsions and delirium <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Legal Risks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are many prevailing misconceptions about the safety and legality of misusing prescription drugs.<\/strong> Not only do many believe these drugs are safer than street drugs, but many do not know the serious legal ramifications of using these drugs without a prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n