"Most people take medicines only for the reasons their doctors prescribe them. But an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse. It is a serious and growing problem. Abusing some prescription drugs can lead to addiction. You can develop an addiction to narcotic painkillers, sedatives and tranquilizers, and stimulants. Experts do not know exactly why this type of drug abuse is increasing. The availability of drugs is probably one reason. Doctors are prescribing more drugs for more health problems than ever before. Online pharmacies make it easy to get prescription drugs without a prescription, even for younger people. Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when abused. In 2010, approximately 16 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons in the past year; 7 million in the past month. After marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter medications account for most of the commonly abused drugs. Three types of drugs are abused most often: opioids, prescribed for pain relief; CNS depressants, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems; and stimulants, prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, or obesity. To help prevent prescription drug abuse, ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, keep your doctor informed about all medications you are taking, read the information your pharmacist provides, take your medication as prescribed, keep prescription medications secured, and properly dispose of unused medications."