Growing Internet Use May Be Linked to Rise in Prescription Drug Abuse in U.S.

States that had the fastest growth of high-speed Internet access from 2000 to 2007 also had the largest jump in admissions for treatment of prescription drug abuse, a new study finds. The researchers say the findings may suggest that online pharmacies, many of which do not adhere to regulations requiring a doctor’s prescription, are contributing to the increase.

Medical News Today reports that the researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California reviewed access to high-speed Internet service in every state, and compared that with information on admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities.

In Health Affairs, the researchers wrote that for every 10 percent increase in high-speed Internet use at the state level, treatment facility admissions for prescription drug abuse rose by 1 percent. In contrast, admissions for abuse of alcohol, cocaine and heroin, which cannot be easily purchased online, had minimal or negative growth during the same period.

“The results suggest that better surveillance of online prescription drug sales is warranted, and aggressive efforts to curb illegitimate online pharmacies may be necessary,” the researchers wrote.