Three types of drugs are abused most often:

• Opioids--prescribed for pain relief
• CNS depressants—barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers)
• Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or obesity.

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: volume 1: summary of national findings. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies; 2011.

        How Are Prescription Drugs Abused?

Prescription and Over-the-Counter drugs may be abused in one or more of the following ways:

Taking a medication that has been prescribed for somebody else.

Taking a drug in a higher quantity or in another manner than prescribed.


Taking a drug for another purpose than prescribed.

FACT: The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan.

FACT: Most teenagers who abuse prescription drugs are given to them for free by a friend or relative.