The Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

The Massachusetts prescription drug abuse problem is serious and has claimed the lives of thousands of Bay State residents in recent years. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that controlled prescription drugs (CPDs) are the fourth leading cause of fatal drug poisonings in the United States today.

Fortunately, progress has been made to reduce prescription drug abuse in Massachusetts, and to provide help and care for those struggling with prescription drug abuse in the state and the U.S. as a whole.

The Top 3 Most Commonly Abused Drug Classes

The DEA, in its 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment, and SAMHSA’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health both identify several types of prescription drugs as being more widely abused than others due to their unique euphoric and habit-forming effects. These classes of drugs include the following.

Stimulants / Amphetamines

Stimulant drugs like amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and even pharmaceutical methamphetamine (Desoxyn) are widely prescribed by doctors to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These proven medications work by increasing activity in the central nervous system and boosting dopamine levels in the brain.

However, amphetamines are also taken in high doses to produce an energetic, uninhibited high, just like street methamphetamine abuse. And amphetamines may also be misused as appetite suppressants, athletic or academic performance enhancers, or even sexual aids.

Opioid Painkillers

Prescription opioids include naturally occurring opiate compounds like morphine and codeine, semi-synthetic variations of these drugs like oxycodone (Roxicodone) and hydrocodone (Vicodin), and fully synthetic products like tramadol (Ultram) and fentanyl (Sublimaze). They are used in medical settings to treat moderate to severe pain, including chronic pain, and work by activating the body’s opioid receptors and changing how the body reacts to stress and pain.

Opioid painkillers are frequently abused for their ability to produce euphoric, relaxing effects at higher doses. However, with strong depressant effects on the central nervous system, opioids can also trigger dangerous overdose effects, which include respiratory suppression and death. In fact, in 2022 prescription painkillers were positively identified in 11% of all Massachusetts opioid overdose deaths, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Benzodiazepines

“Benzos” are a class of depressant drugs used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and other conditions, but only over short periods of time. Examples of common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and clonazepam (Klonopin).

Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter, producing potent mental and physical relaxation and a profound sense of well-being. This effect can be highly pleasurable. However, severe physical dependence towards benzodiazepines can develop in a very short amount of time if the drugs are used consistently for more than a few weeks.

Benzos have similar effects, and are often abused for similar reasons, as some other related classes of drugs like nonbenzodiazepines/“Z-drugs” (including zolpidem, zopiclone, eszopiclone, and zaleplon), barbiturates (amobarbital, butalbital, and others), and other sleeping pills.

What Counts As Prescription Drug Abuse?

Any use of prescription medication in any way other than how they are prescribed may be considered a form of substance abuse. This includes using drugs not prescribed to you, using a higher dosage than prescribed, using prescription drugs in unusual ways (e.g., snorting, injection, or crushing), using combinations of drugs or alcohol to increase their effects, and any other use of these drugs outside of their intended purpose.

Rx medications may be obtained for misuse in different ways, including:

• fraud or doctor shopping
• sharing between friends, family, or acquaintances
• buying and selling over the internet or social media
• other purchases made between individuals

For this reason, the DEA encourages the public to properly remove unneeded, unused controlled medications from their homes, and a wide variety of different reforms have been adopted to limit unnecessary prescriptions and reduce illicit prescription drug diversion and misuse.

Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment Options In Massachusetts

If you are experiencing prescription drug abuse in Massachusetts, or any other form of drug or alcohol addiction, help is available. And the sooner you get started with your own personalized treatment plan, the better off your future will be.

At Bedrock Recovery Center in Canton, MA, just outside Boston, we work every day to provide people like you with expert care and guidance, supporting recoveries with evidence-based residential treatment services that include:

• medical detoxification
• dual diagnosis treatment
• behavioral therapy
• peer support
• medication-assisted treatment
• case management
• alternative treatment programming
• aftercare coordination

To learn more and verify your insurance coverage and benefits, please contact us today.