Percocet Abuse Facts and Statistics
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that in 2016, approximately 11.1 million people misused prescription opioids. Out of these, approximately 3.7 million people misused oxycodone-based drugs including Percocet.
The main reasons behind prescription misuse were:
- 62.6% wanted to relieve physical pain
- 13.2% wanted to “get high”
- 8.4% wanted to relax
Additionally, people misused prescription drugs for emotional support, insomnia, to experiment and to relieve symptoms of other drugs.
- Prevalence in Men. In 2016, approximately 5 million men reported misusing prescription pain medications. The most likely reason for opioid addiction in men is social pressure.
- Prevalence in Women. In 2016, approximately 4 million women were reported to misuse prescription pain medications. Women are more sensitive to pain and are more likely to abuse painkillers. Also, they possess a stronger tendency to develop a dependency on drugs.
- Teen Abuse. In 2017, approximately 214,000 teens reported abusing painkillers including oxycodone. In a future trend study conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, prescription oxycodone usage fell from 3.6% to 2.3% in 12th graders between 2015 and 2018.
- Senior abuse. Approximately 7.2% of women aged 65 years or more have been reported to misuse pain medications including oxycodone, as compared to 2.8% of men.
Percocet Abuse & Treatment Trends in South Florida
The Florida Medical Examiners Commission reported that 8,572 people used prescription opioids for non-medical reasons in 2016. It also reported that between 2015 and 2016 there was a steady increase in the number of deaths caused by prescription oxycodone.
The National Forensic Laboratory Information system reported approximately 2.7% of total drug reports were on oxycodone usage.