Publication

Young adult opioid misuse indicates a general tendency toward substance use and is strongly predicted by general substance use risk.

Publication Year: 2022

Authors: Pandika, Danielle, Bailey, Jennifer A., Oesterle, Sabrina, & Kuklinski, Margaret R.

Publication Title: Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Volume: 235

Page(s): 109442

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine whether young adult opioid misuse reflects a general tendency toward substance use and is influenced by general substance use risk or whether it is a different phenomenon from other drug use. METHODS: At ages 23 (2016) and 26 (2019), a panel of young adults (n = 3794 to 3833) in the United States self-reported their past-month substance use (opioid misuse, heavy drinking, cigarettes, cannabis) and substance-specific risk factors (perceptions of harm; approval of use; and use of each substance by friends and romantic partners). Structural equation models examined non-opioid and opioid-specific associations between latent risk and substance use factors. RESULTS: Opioid misuse and opioid-specific risk factors shared significant variance with latent substance use and latent substance use risk, respectively, which were strongly associated. A statistically significant residual correlation between opioid-specific risk and opioid misuse remained. CONCLUSION: Young adult opioid misuse reflects a general tendency toward substance use and is strongly predicted by risk for substance use. Opioid-specific risk factors play only a small independent role. Existing evidence-based substance use interventions may be effective in preventing opioid misuse among young adults.