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Patterns Of Polysubstance Use Among Those With Tranquilizer Or Sedative Misuse: Predictors And Functional Consequences, Victoria R. Votaw

Psychology ETDs

The misuse of tranquilizer and sedative medications (i.e., use without a prescription or at higher doses/longer periods of time than prescribed) is associated with myriad negative sequalae, such as suicidal behaviors and increased risk of overdose. Yet, prescription tranquilizer and sedative misuse has been largely overlooked by the scientific community, clinicians, and policymakers. We addressed this gap in the literature by characterizing subgroups of individuals with tranquilizer or sedative misuse, based on their patterns of polysubstance use. The present study analyzed data from two samples of individuals with past-month tranquilizer or sedative misuse: respondents of a nationally-representative household survey (general …