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UB study links college education with opioid abuse in baby boomers

A new study by the University of Buffalo has connected education with depression and opioid abuse in adults over 50.
(Photo: Thinkstock)

BUFFALO, NY - The more educated a baby boomer is, the more likely they are to abuse prescription opioids - that's according to a new research released by the University at Buffalo Wednesday.

UB surveyed 130 people in Western New York, looking at risk factors for prescription opioid misuse, finding those who attended "at least some college were 2.5 times more likely to misuse opioids than those who did not."

The study also found the risk for misuse in older adults was almost 13 times greater for illicit drug users (than non-users), and nearly six times greater for people with moderate depression.

Author and professor at UB, Yu-Ping Chang says understanding these factors can aid professionals in identifying high-risk adults.

"Older adults have a more complex medication regimen because of other co-existing chronic conditions. Any increased opioid dose without proper adjustment by the provider can potentially cause harm."

Chang says, "Previous studies have not found any association between education level and prescription opioid misuse. More research is needed to better understand the potential mechanism of such an association."

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