Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Administration of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Adolescent and Adult Mice
Published on: August 1, 2025
Adolescent Sexual Assault and the Medical and Nonmedical Use of Prescription Medication
Amy Young1, Melissa Grey, Carol J Boyd
1University of Michigan, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Abstract:
Previous research has documented an association between sexual victimization and prescription medication use among adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such a relationship was present for adolescent girls when considering sexual victimization by a peer and the use of four drug classes for medical and nonmedical reasons. The study was based on a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional Web-based, self-administered survey of female students from a middle and high school (n = 490). As predicted, sexual victimization increased the likelihood of non-medical prescription medication use of opioid analgesics and sedative medication, although these relationships varied based on the severity of sexual assault. Findings are discussed in light the importance of increasing awareness among health professionals, researchers, and the wider community of the increased risk for prescription medication abuse among adolescent girls who have a history of sexual violence.
Related Concept Videos
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug Classes and Categories
Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...

