Prescription drug abuse is perhaps one of the most common forms of recreational drug use or drug addiction after alcohol and marijuana. Diet pills (speed) and pain medications (narcotics) such as Hydrocodone (Vicodin and Lorcet) and Oxycodone (Percoset and Endoset) are by far the most common prescriptions that are abused, but they not always intentionally abused, and rarely if ever, start out to be used in a manner inconstant with their labeling, if the prescriptions are genuinely written for that person by their doctor.

Prescription drug abuse is also one of the most embarrassing addictions, but one that thankfully is also the easiest to share with others, so that lessons learned may be passed on in hopes of raising awareness to this type of addiction. Since the drugs involved were not of the illicit variety, it is usually easier for a recovering addict to speak of his or her experiences with others.

Many people start out using their medications with the best of intentions, but may find themselves becoming addicted after prolonged use, or after mixing their medications with alcohol, either intentionally, or unaware that doing so may have serious and addictive side affects. Alcohol will increase the dizzying effect of narcotic pain relievers, and this can be a very pleasant side affect for some, but it can also quickly spiral out of control from occasional recreational use, to an outright addiction for the user that can be very difficult to recover from without treatment by professional clinics.

Diet pills are another source for prescription drug abuse that can start out with no intention of becoming addicted by the user. People who become addicted to diet pills may feel a psychological need to continue once they reach their desired weight, due to the fear of becoming overweight once again. They may also find that when they stop taking the pills, they feel tired and lethargic, due to the fact that diet pills are amphetamines (uppers). They may seek out the peppiness that now seems to be missing from their lives, and possibly causing them to be late for work, or to act sluggishly once they arrive. This can lead to perpetual use, in this case abuse, by the patient in question.

Prescription drug abuse should not be looked upon with the same disdain as the use of illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth, or crack, which are almost always used intentionally for the sole purpose of getting high, or alcoholism. The resulting addiction to those drugs is understandably looked at with scorn by those who do not partake in the use of drugs for elation; however, such is usually not the case with prescription drug abuse.

One must remember that people who become addicted to medications dispensed by a lawful prescription from their doctor, took the medicine in good faith; intending to use it properly, and most likely became addicted by accident. There is a big difference in the resulting addictions caused by prescription drug abuse as opposed to those caused by intentionally using a substance that one knows to be an addictive drug.