Risk Factors for Drug Overdose in Young People: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objectives

Drug overdose (OD) deaths have been increasing over the past 20 years. Although risk factors for drug OD have been identified in adult populations, less is known about risk factors for OD in young people. The aim of this review is to systematically examine the literature to identify risk factors for drug OD specific to young people, including adolescents and young adults.

Methods

Our initial PubMed search identified 4001 articles. Included were cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies published in English that compared young people who experienced a drug OD to those who did not. Review articles, meta-analyses, case-reports, editorials, epidemiological studies, and qualitative studies were excluded. Two investigators reviewed the full texts of all relevant articles and extracted data on sample demographics, prevalence of OD, and correlates associated with OD.

Results

Twelve relevant studies were identified reflective of a sample of 5020 unique individuals with an age range of 14-30 years, and a mean age range of 20.2-26 years. The lifetime prevalence of OD in these young people ranged from 24% to 48%. Substance use characteristics most often associated with OD included injection drug, opioid, and tranquilizer use. Polysubstance use was also found to be strongly associated with OD in three studies. Other replicated risk factors for OD in young people included histories of psychopathology, incarceration, unstable housing, and witnessing an OD.

Conclusion

Opioid, tranquilizer, and injection drug use have been identified as risk factors for OD in both younger and older adult populations. Risk factors that emerged as noteworthy predictors of OD in young people specifically include polysubstance use, psychiatric comorbidity, unstable housing, and witnessing an OD. There remains a paucity of literature on drug OD risk factors in young people, with little information regarding medical and treatment history risk factors.