It seems that prescription drugs are being prescribed more than ever. Doctors prescribe drugs for pain, for mental health, and for insomnia. The majority of the people who are prescribed these drugs use them responsibly, taking the correct dose just until the problem is gone. However, there is a growing trend for people to misuse prescription drugs. Many people use prescription drugs to get high or to feel good. What they often don’t know is that many of these drugs are highly addictive, and can have dire consequences if used improperly.

The three most commonly misused types of prescription drugs are opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants.

Opioids are usually prescribed for pain relief. Some well-known opioids are codeine, morphine, and pills such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Darvon. Opioids are the most commonly misused of all prescription drugs, and are among the most dangerous.

CNS depressants are used to slow down brain functions. They are frequently prescribed to relieve anxiety, stop panic attacks, and cure insomnia. Some of the most common CNS depressants are Xanax, Valium, and Nembutal. Many users enjoy the calming effect these drugs have and continue using them when they are no longer needed. Misuse of CNS depressants can lead to addiction and other serious long-term problems.

Stimulants are another commonly abused class of prescription drug. Stimulants speed up brain functions and are commonly prescribed for people with ADHD. Some well-known stimulants are Ritalin and Dexedrine. Although stimulants are less addictive than some other types of prescription drugs, they are still addictive and can lead to serious health problems when abused.

Prescription drug abuse is becoming a large problem. Even as many celebrities’ battles with prescription drug addiction have been in the news, many people continue to believe that these drugs are harmless.