Exploring prescription opioid misuse among college students: a secondary analysis of ACHA National College Health Assessment data (2019–2022)

Abstract

Background: Prescription opioid misuse (POM) remains a significant public health concern among college students, yet few studies have examined POM prevalence, misuse behaviors among those with prescriptions, and how students access opioids in college settings. Objectives: Assessing the prevalence of POM, patterns of opioid sourcing (i.e. prescribed vs. illicit), and the trends of misuse of one’s own prescription (i.e. higher dosage and/or frequency) among college students. Methods: Data from the 2019–2022 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III survey, including responses from 331,156 students (64.4% cisgender female), were analyzed. Descriptive analyses assessed POM prevalence and misuse patterns, while multivariable logistic regression identified factors linked to illicit opioid sourcing and prescribed opioid misuse (higher dosage and/or increased frequency). Results: Lifetime POM was reported among 3.9% (n = 12,983) of students and past three-month POM was reported among 0.7% of all students (n = 2,327). Of participants with recent misuse, 55.5% used opioids that were not prescribed to them, and 44.5% used their own prescriptions. Among those with prescriptions, 26.0% exceeded the recommended dosage, and 22.7% shortened the dosing interval. Illicit sourcing was more common among gender-diverse students (aOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.62–4.71, p