Association Between Childhood Residential Mobility and Non-medical Use of Prescription Drugs Among American Youth.

introductionPrescription drug abuse is a public health epidemic, resulting in 15,000 deaths annually. Disruption of childhood residence has been shown to increase drug-seeking behavior among adolescents; however, little research has explored its association specifically with non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD). The objective of the study was to measure the association between residential mobility and NMUPD.

methodsThe 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data were analyzed for 15,745 participants aged 12-17 years. NMUPD was defined as self-report of any non-medical use (i.e., taking a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them or consumption for recreational purposes) of tranquilizers, pain relievers, sedatives, or stimulants. Logistic regression for survey data was used to estimate the association between residential mobility and NMUPD, adjusting for potential confounders.

resultsAfter controlling for demographic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community factors, adolescents with low mobility (1-2 moves in the past 5 years) and residential instability (≥3 moves) were 16% (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.01, 1.33) and 25% (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.00, 1.56) more likely to report NMUPD compared to non-mobile adolescents (0 moves). Low-mobile adolescents were 18% (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01, 1.38) more likely to abuse pain relievers, specifically. No relationship was found between moving and tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative use. DISCUSSION: Increasing childhood residential mobility is associated with NMUPD; therefore, efforts to prevent NMUPD should target mobile adolescents. Further examination of the psychological effects of moving and its association with pain reliever abuse is indicated.