Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

prescription drug abuse The misuse of drugs
prescribed for therapeutic purposes. Most prescrip-
tion DRUGabuse begins unintentionally and may
become intentional as psychologic DEPENDENCEor
ADDICTIONdevelops. The most commonly abused
prescription drugs are NARCOTICS, BENZODIAZEPINES,
and STIMULANTS. In the context of abuse, possession
and use of the drugs may be illicit when the

means of obtaining the drugs is illicit, such as

through altered or forged prescriptions, or obtain-

ing drugs through unlicensed sources.

See alsoANALGESIC MEDICATIONS; ILLICIT DRUG USE;

OPIATES; SCHEDULED DRUG; SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVEN-

TION; SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

Rohypnol See FLUNITRAZEPAM.

Rohypnol 349