Sports involvement, injury history, and non-medical use of prescription opioids among college students: An analysis with a national sample.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The United States is in the midst of a prescription drug epidemic, particularly related to opioids. To more effectively deal with the devastating outcomes associated with non-medical use of prescription opioids (NUPO), research is needed to identify populations at increased risk. The current research builds on a small number of studies that have shown that adolescents involved in competitive sports are more likely to report NUPO. Specifically, we examine the relationship between athlete status, injury history, and NUPO among college students.

METHODS

Using data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA II from 2008 to 2011), we estimated several logistic regression models to examine the individual, and combined, effects of sex, athlete status, and injury history on NUPO.

RESULTS

In the NCHA II 8.3% of students reported NUPO, 8.0% identified as a varsity athlete, and 17.4% reported an injury. Looking at factors individually, having an injury, being a varsity athlete, and being male were all significantly associated with NUPO. By combining these factors together we were able to determine that male athletes, athletes with injuries, and male athletes with injuries were at the greatest risk for NUPO, after controlling for relevant covariates.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

To create effective prevention and intervention programs that target the health and wellness of college students, it is important to understand which groups of students are most likely to report NUPO.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

This study advances our understanding of the relationship between sports involvement and NUPO. (Am J Addict 2018;27:15-22).