Prescription medications like pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers are wonderful tools for treatment. Pain medications make surgery a possibility and facilitate fruitful lives for people with chronic pain. Generally, people who take prescription medications use them sensibly. Conversely, the inept or non-medical use of such medications is a severe health hazard. The imprudent use of prescription medications such as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, opioids and stimulants can cause drug addiction, which is typified by compulsive use.

In this regard, the accountability lies with all concerned. It is not only the responsibility of pharmacists and doctors to prevent the misuse of prescription medications, but the patient under treatment as well. For instance, when a medical professional prescribes a pain relief medication, such as a stimulant or a CNS depressant, the patient should carefully follow the directions of the usage. Also, he should be aware of its side-effects, and the potential problems it may cause when mixed with other medications.

The role of the physician and other healthcare professionals should be to know if the patient has any history of substance abuse, with general questions like the kind of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines the patient has been taking. Indicators of abuse include stark increases in the amount of medication required, and constant requests for restocks before the time of the prescribed quantity to be finished.

Of the many prescription medications that are abused, three classes come under the most scrutiny. They include: Opioids - medication prescribed to treat pain; Stimulants �medication prescribed to treat hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, or narcolepsy; and CNS Depressants - used for the treatment of sleeping disorders and anxiety.