Teens prescribed anxiety or sleep medications are more likely to abuse them later (compared to those who had never had a prescription). Teens reported they used these medications to self-treat insomnia or anxiety, or to get “high.” This research, the first longitudinal study to examine nonmedical use and medical misuse of anxiety and sleep medications among adolescents, was conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan and funded by NIDA and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The findings highlight the need for prevention strategies targeting youth who may be at risk for prescription medication abuse.
NIDA Science Spotlight: Prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications put teens at risk
Year: 2015