A new qualitative study used neutralization theory to explore the justifications college students use to defend their nonmedical use of prescription painkillers. Participants were 76 college students aged 18-26 years who reported nonmedical prescription drug use within the past year and completed semi-structured interviews with the research team. Some participants were self-pronounced drug addicts, whereas others were novice users. About half of the participants disclosed misusing of prescription painkillers (i.e., Oxycontin, Percocet, and Vicodin). Common themes included students believing prescription drugs were relatively safe (especially when compared to alcohol) and could be used “responsibly” without harming anyone (e.g., taking two Vicodin to treat a headache and fall asleep), students comparing their own perceived “safe” use of these drugs with riskier use among their peers, enabling by doctors who readily prescribe large numbers of painkillers, and enabling by parents who encouraged students to use leftover prescription drugs for ailments. Interestingly, all prescription painkillers as were not perceived as equally safe:  Several students shared they abstained from misusing Oxycontin because they had witnessed friends experience harms from this particular drug.

Take away: College students may justify their misuse of prescription painkillers by claiming they are relatively safe and easily available from parents and health care providers.

Citation: Cutler K & Kremer J (2017). Safety, generous doctors, and enabling parents: A perfect recipe of justifications for college students’ nonmedical use of prescription painkillers [published online ahead of print June 6 2017]. Journal of Drug Issues. doi: 10.1177/0022042617710953