What is Prescription Drug Abuse:
Some medications have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties and, because of that, are sometimes abused—that is, taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone other than the person for whom they are prescribed. In fact, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are, after marijuana (and alcohol), the most commonly abused substances by Americans 14 and older. Learn more
Commonly Abused Drugs:
Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (for pain), central nervous system (CNS) depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy).
Opioids include:
- Fentanyl (Duragesic®)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
- Oxymorphone (Opana®)
- Propoxyphene (Darvon®)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
- Meperidine (Demerol®)
- Diphenoxylate (Lomotil®)
Central nervous system depressants include:
- Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®)
- Diazepam (Valium®)
- Alprazolam (Xanax®)
Stimulants include:
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®)
- Amphetamines (Adderall®)
Statistics and Trends
| Drug |
Time Period |
8th- Graders |
10th- Graders |
12th- Graders |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narcotics other than Heroin | Lifetime | - | - | 12.2 |
| Past Year | - | - | 7.9 | |
| Past Month | - | - | [3.0] | |
| Amphetamine | Lifetime | 4.5 | 8.9 | 12.0 |
| Past Year | 2.9 | 6.5 | 7.9 | |
| Past Month | 1.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.
| Drug |
Time Period |
Ages 12 or Older |
Ages 12-17 |
Ages 18-25 |
Ages 26 or Older |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Psychotherapeutics (Nonmedical Use) |
Lifetime | 19.9 | 10.1 | [27.3] | 19.8 |
| Past Year | [5.7] | 7.0 | [12.7] | 4.3 | |
| Past Month | [2.4] | 2.8 | [5.0] | 1.9 |
* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.
Featured Publications
Related Resources
- Prescription Drugs poster
- Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body- Year 10-11 Compilation for Students
- Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body- Year 10-11 Compilation for Teachers
- Prescription Drugs of Abuse Chart
- Efforts of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to Prevent and Treat Prescription Drug Abuse (Testimony to Congress)
- NIDA for Teens: Prescription Drug Use
- NIDA for Teens: PEERx
Emerging Trends
Get more information on Emerging Trends, we will update this page with the latest research findings as they develop.
Looking for Treatment?
Use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or 1-800-662-HELP.
Research Report
Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction
Examines the non-medical use of prescription drugs-opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants-describing adverse health effects of their use and the prevention and treatment of addiction.
Safe Disposal of Medicines
Featured Publication
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.
