Prescription Drugs

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

 

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Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Various Drugs for 8th-Graders, 10th-Graders, and 12th-Graders; 2013 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period 8th-Graders 10th-Graders 12th-Graders
Any Prescription Drug Past Year – – 15.00
Amphetamine Past Year 2.60 5.90 8.70
Adderall Past Year 1.80 4.40 7.40
Ritalin Past Year 1.10 1.80 2.30
Narcotics other than Heroin Past Year – – 7.10
Vicodin Past Year 1.40 4.60 [5.30]
OxyContin Past Year 2.00 3.40 3.60
Tranquilizers Past Year 1.80 3.70 4.60

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous MTF Data

*Additional data (Past Month, Lifetime) available.

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National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Trends in Prevalence of Psychotherapeutics (Nonmedical Use) for Ages 12 or Older, Ages 12 to 17, Ages 18 to 25, and Ages 26 or Older; 2012 (in percent)*
Drug Time Period Ages 12 or Older Ages 12 to 17 Ages 18 to 25 Ages 26 or Older
Psychotherapeutics (Nonmedical Use) Lifetime [20.90] 10.00 28.10 [21.00]
Past Year [6.40] 6.60 [13.70] [5.10]
Past Month 2.60 2.80 5.30 2.10

^ indicate low precision; no estimate reported.
Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year. Previous NSDUH Data

 

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