Young people with depression face a dramatically higher risk of prescription drug misuse, a new study finds. Youths with a past-year major depressive episode were more than twice as likely to misuse prescription psychotherapeutic drugs and four times as likely to develop a use disorder. Many reported misusing opioids and tranquilizers specifically to cope with their emotions.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a striking link between depression and prescription drug misuse among young people. Analyzing data from over 50,000 adolescents and young adults (ages 12–25) in the 2023–2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers found that those with a past-year major depressive episode (MDE) were far more likely to misuse prescription psychotherapeutic drugs — including opioids, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives — than their peers without depression.
The findings point to a troubling pattern of self-medication: youths with depression were significantly more likely to report misusing opioids and tranquilizers specifically to manage their feelings and emotions, suggesting they're turning to prescription drugs as a mental health coping tool.
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Why it matters: These findings highlight an urgent need for integrated mental health and substance use treatment for at-risk youth — before emotional struggles escalate into full-blown addiction.
