Adult Past Year Prescription Opioid Abuse Data

In the BRFSS survey, a state-added question on past year prescription opioid abuse was included. Survey participants who took any prescription opioid medication were asked “In the past year, have you taken any prescription opioid pain relievers (hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, morphine, Lortab, Vicodin, Tylenol #3, Percocet, OxyContin) when it was not prescribed to you by a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare provider?” Interviewers could note to participants that their response should consider prescription medication, and not medication that is available over the counter.

The prevalence estimate is the percent of BRFSS respondents who took any prescription opioid pain relievers in the past year and answered “yes” to taking opioid pain relievers in the past year when it was not prescribed to them by a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare provider.

Due to small counts of BRFSS estimates, demographic categories were collapsed and some data were suppressed.

For assistance or information about opioid-related issues, contact Your Life Iowa at 855-581-8111, texting 855-895-TEXT (8398), or visit www.yourlifeiowa.org. Your Life Iowa offers free and confidential support for those in need, or concerned about others.

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