The opioid crisis has garnered significant attention in the United States, with overdose deaths reaching unprecedented levels.
In 2016 alone, opioids claimed the lives of over 42,000 people. Between July 2016 and September 2017, opioid overdoses surged by 30 percent across 52 areas in 45 states.
Recognizing the severity of the crisis, President Trump declared it a public health emergency in October 2017 and committed resources to combat the epidemic.
Certain opioids, like heroin, are illegal.
However, many opioids are legally prescribed by healthcare providers to help manage pain.
These include medications such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine, among others.
When taken as directed by a doctor for a short period, these prescription opioids are generally safe.
However, using illegal opioids or misusing prescription opioids can lead to addiction, overdose, or even death.
Misuse includes taking medication prescribed for someone else, using it in a way different from the doctor’s instructions (such as in higher doses or for a longer period), or using it to experience a high.
Fortunately, a comprehensive and collaborative effort is underway to address this major public health issue.
Both federal and state governments are making it a priority, while various government and public health agencies are providing resources (many of which are listed below) to support community organizations, healthcare providers, and families in tackling the problem.
The scientific and medical communities are actively working to develop and promote safe, effective, and non-addictive treatments for chronic pain, as well as improved therapies for opioid use disorders (OUDs).
Additionally, parents and families of adolescents play a crucial role in prevention and early intervention in opioid misuse.
Prevalence of Adolescent Opioid Misuse
The misuse of prescription drugs, including opioids, is one of the most rapidly increasing drug-related issues in the United States.
In 2016, 3.6% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported misusing opioids within the past year. Among older adolescents and young adults aged 18-25, this rate is twice as high.
The majority of opioid misuse stems from prescription medications rather than heroin.
Fortunately, opioid misuse is on the decline. Among high school seniors, the percentage of students who misused pain medications (excluding heroin) in the past year dropped from a high of 9.5 percent in 2004 to 3.4 percent in 2018.
Similarly, past-year misuse of Vicodin fell from a peak of 10.5 percent in 2003 to just 1.7 percent in 2018, while OxyContin misuse declined from its highest rate of 5.5 percent in 2005 to 2.3 percent in 2018.
Additionally, 12th-grade students now perceive opioids as more difficult to access than before.
In 2010, 54 percent of seniors believed these drugs were easy to obtain, but by 2018, that number had dropped to 32.5 percent.
The most severe outcome of prescription drug misuse is death from overdose.
Although the overall number of overdose-related deaths remains relatively low, the rate of overdose fatalities among adolescents is on the rise.
In 2015, 4,235 individuals aged 15-24 lost their lives due to drug overdoses, with more than half of these deaths linked to opioids.
The health effects of opioid misuse extend to a much larger population.
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for every overdose death among young adults, there are approximately 119 emergency room visits and 22 admissions for treatment.
Risk and Protective Factors
All teenagers are vulnerable to opioid misuse.
However, as outlined in this report (PDF), various factors can either heighten the risk of prescription drug misuse or serve as protective influences.
For example:
- Individuals who may be more vulnerable to opioid misuse include those experiencing acute or chronic pain, physical health issues, or a history of mental illness, such as depression, as well as those with a past of substance use or misuse. Additionally, youth who have witnessed a family member overdose or have a significant number of friends who misuse prescription drugs are also at higher risk. National data indicates that nearly half of adolescents aged 12 to 17 who reported misusing pain relievers obtained them from a friend or relative, either as a gift or through purchase. For young adults aged 18 to 25 who reported misusing pain relievers, this percentage is even higher, exceeding half.
- Individuals who are at a lower risk include those who are dedicated to succeeding academically and completing their education, as well as those who are mindful of the potential dangers associated with prescription drugs. Furthermore, young people who have a close relationship with their parents and whose parents openly disapprove of substance use are less likely to engage in misuse.
How to Prevent Opioid Misuse
There are several practical ways that parents, family members, and other concerned adults can help prevent opioid misuse among teenagers.
Since the adolescent brain is still developing, teens are more susceptible to addiction.
However, this period of growth also presents an opportunity for them to adopt healthy habits and behaviors.
Supportive adults play a crucial role in ensuring that adolescents facing opioid misuse receive the care and assistance they need.
Unfortunately, many young people struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) do not get the necessary treatment.
Between 2001 and 2014, only one in four insured adolescents with OUD received treatment.
Additionally, females were less likely to receive care than males, and Hispanic and Black youth had lower treatment rates compared to their non-Hispanic white peers.
To help reduce the risk of opioid misuse, individuals who support and care for adolescents should:
- Exercise caution when treating pain. Many adolescents are first introduced to opioids through prescriptions, with 31% receiving them from dentists. Some effective alternatives for pain management are available, and new options continue to emerge. Healthcare providers should prioritize non-opioid treatments for both acute and chronic pain whenever possible. Resources such as the National Institutes of Health’s pain guidelines for medical professionals and the Turn the Tide pain treatment toolbox offer valuable information and strategies.
- Have open conversations with the teens in your life about managing and treating pain. Whether or not they have a history of drug use, it’s important to connect with them.
- Building strong relationships with adolescents is key to preventing drug use. Partnering with youth-focused organizations and community groups can help reach both at-risk teens and those who have never used drugs. Improving communication between service providers, coordinating care, and reducing stigma make support more effective. Offering combined services—such as trauma-informed care, mental health support, and mentorship—all in one place can also be a powerful way to engage and support young people.