Drug Abuse Overview

Abuse of prescription drugs is the use of a prescription drug in a way not intended by the prescribing physician. Abuse of prescription drugs include everything from taking the prescription painkiller from a friend for your back pain to sniff the ground up pills to get high.

A growing problem, the abuse of prescription drugs is particularly common among young people. The prescription drugs most often abused are painkillers, sedatives for anxiety disorders and sleep, and stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Identification of the use of prescription drugs early may help solve the problem before it gets worse or becomes an addiction.