Introduction
The research question in Han et al. (2017) publication aimed to examine the prevalence of misuse, abuse, and use of prescribed opioids among the adult population in the U.S. This was a study on drug use in the U.S. in 2015, published in 2017 after robust peer reviews and sponsorship by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Therefore, the study examined the health impacts, burden, and severity of opioid use and misuse among U.S. adults.
Research Background
The increasing burden and prevalence of prescription opioid misuse, abuse, overdoes, and related health issues in the U.S. provided the grounds for the psychology research by Han et al. (2017). Different studies, including Brady et al. (2016), indicate that the increasing opioid misuse and abuse rate in the U.S. is alarming. Brady et al. (2016) demonstrate that in the last 20 years, U.S. adults have been victims of high death rates, and physical, and mental health issues resulting from irresponsible use of prescription opioids. As a result, the government is implementing healthcare policy reforms to reduce these risks and impacts on its citizens. In support of Brady et al. (2016) and Han et al. (2017), Florence et al. (2016) demonstrate that the economic and health implications of prescription opioid misuse created the necessity of studying its prevalence and implications on U.S. adults. These include the financial burden of managing drug intoxication, among others, that U.S. healthcare incurs because of opioid misuse.
Research Rationale
The rationale for Han et al. (2017) research was to investigate the health problems of opioid misuse among U.S. adults. The research is also important to develop and assess the available interventions to control the severity of opioid misuse and its impacts on U.S. adults.
Methodology
The research method in Han et al. (2017) article was the cross-sectional approach that used the survey approach to collect data from participants. The study included nearly 72,000 participants, and almost 51,000 completed the survey questions. In the research, the measurements included Prescription opioid responsible use, abuse, and resulting health issues among adult Americans.
Findings and Limitations
The findings showed that over 90 million Americans use prescribed opioids as of 2015. Out of this population, nearly 11 million use opioids irresponsibly for non-medical reasons (Han et al., 2017). As a result, approximately 2 million U.S. adults were vulnerable to substance use disorders because of prescription opioid misuse in 2015 (Han et al., 2017). Moreover, the study’s limitation was difficulties in making causal inferences because of using cross-sectional data and research.
Reflection
Ethics in the Research
The participants’ compensation after interviews and surveys showed that the research was ethical. Moreover, the study complied with research ethics by asking for the participants’ verbal consent before including them in the investigation. Finally, the study was culturally responsive because of included participants from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Application for Research Findings
The research is relevant for students and professionals in improving their understanding of risk factors and vulnerability of prescription misuse and health issues among U.S. adults. The findings are also key in creating awareness among mental health students and professionals about the recommended approaches to managing prescription misuse and overdose pandemics in the U.S.
Critical Reflection on the Positives and Negatives of the Study
The positive aspect of the study is that it demonstrates or exposes the risks, severity, and solutions to opioid misuse and abuse among adults in the U.S. Contrarily, the negative aspect of the research is its poor generalizability since the findings only apply to adults in the U.S.
Suggestions for Future Studies
Future studies should examine the prevalence of prescription misuse and abuse among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S.
References
Brady, K. T., McCauley, J. L., & Back, S. E. (2016). Prescription opioid misuse, abuse, and treatment in the United States: An update. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(1), 18-26. Web.
Florence, C., Luo, F., Xu, L., & Zhou, C. (2016). The economic burden of prescription opioid overdose, abuse and dependence in the United States, 2013. Medical Care, 54(10), 901. Web.
Han, B., Compton, W. M., Blanco, C., Crane, E., Lee, J., & Jones, C. M. (2017). Prescription opioid use, misuse, and use disorders in U.S. adults: 2015 national survey on drug use and health. Annals of Internal Medicine, 167(5), 293-301. Web.