Prescription drug abuse among persons with disabilities

Abstract

Using 2006 adult substance abuse treatment admissions data (N = 12,639) from the State of Maine Treatment Data System (TDS), this analysis examines whether issues of prescription drug abuse are more common among persons with disabilities than among other persons participating in substance abuse treatment. Results suggest that persons with mental illness who are participating in treatment are significantly more likely to be abusing prescription drugs and opiates. Persons with developmental disabilities are significantly less likely to abuse prescription drugs and opiates than other persons in treatment. Persons with and without disabilities who had primary problems with alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana were found to be at significantly decreased risk of having a secondary problem of opiate abuse. Implications for vocational rehabilitation professionals are discussed.

Publication Date

2008

Journal Title

Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation

Publisher

IOS Press

Document Type

Article

Rights

© IOS Press. All rights reserved

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