Behavioral Intervention for Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Narrative Review

Cheuk Chi Tam; Shelby A Smout; Catherine S J Wall; Kyle Liam Mason; Eric G Benotsch

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2022.04.010

Behavioral Intervention for Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Narrative Review

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2022 Aug;69(4):807-818. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.04.010.

Authors

Cheuk Chi Tam¹, Shelby A Smout², Catherine S J Wall², Kyle Liam Mason², Eric G Benotsch³

Affiliations

¹ South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Green Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
² Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA.
³ Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018, USA. Electronic address: ebenotsch@vcu.edu.

PMID: 35934501
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.04.010

Abstract

The nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is a public health crisis. In 2020, more Americans died of drug overdose than in any prior year, and the nonmedical use of opioids and other prescription drugs contributed significantly to that total. Young adults and adolescents report the highest rates of NMUPD, relative to other age groups. This article provides a narrative review of interventions for young adults and adolescents to prevent NMUPD, including interventions directed at the individual, family or other small group, and community. The interventions reviewed included those that were delivered in person and via technology.

Keywords: Adolescents; Intervention; Nonmedical use of prescription drugs; Opioids; Young adults.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior*
Analgesics, Opioid
Behavior Therapy
Humans
Prescription Drug Misuse* / prevention & control
Prescription Drugs*
United States
Young Adult

Substances

Analgesics, Opioid
Prescription Drugs