Emergency Department Visits for Nonmedical Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines Doubled in 5 Years

Rates are highest in the 21- to 24-year age group.

Recent celebrity deaths attributed to prescription drug use shined a spotlight on nonmedical use of prescription drugs and its attendant risks. This report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention details emergency department (ED) visits involving nonmedical use of selected prescription drugs from 2004 to 2008.

The national Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) defines nonmedical use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs as “taking a higher-than-recommended dose, taking a drug prescribed for another person, drug-facilitated assault, or documented misuse or abuse.” Researchers reviewed ED records from a national random sample of 231 hospitals monitored by DAWN. From 2004 to 2008, the estimated number of ED visits for nonmedical use…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Emergency Department Visits for Nonmedical Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines Doubled in 5 Years

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Reviewing Author