The misuse of prescription drugs may be the most common form of drug abuse among the older adults, adolescents, and women. Scientists and experts believe that prescription drug abuse is on the rise among the users. People misuse the intake of painkillers, tranquilizers, sedatives and stimulants, which may lead to deadly results. It is assumed that ability to self-prescribed drugs may be the primary cause to this form of addiction as this is best and easiest way to treatment.

Some of the commonly abused prescription drugs
Among enormous prescription drugs following three classes of prescription drugs are most commonly abused or misused:

• Opioids, mostly prescribed to relieve from pain,
• CNS depressants, used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders,
• Stimulants, prescribed to treat the sleep disorder, and obesity.

Preventing and detecting prescription drug abuse
Most of the patients use medications as directed by their doctors, but sometimes such medications or prescribed drugs become addictive and work as stimulants to brain if not taken accordingly. Generally, painkillers or any type of stimulants don’t really behave as addictive if taken in a right manner as per their doctors’ advice. The risk for addiction exists when these medications are used in ways other than as prescribed. Only proper awareness and vital roles played by physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists as well as patients can help in preventing and detecting prescription drug abuse.

Treating prescription drug addiction
It is believed that no specific treatment is appropriate or laid down for all the users addicted to prescription drugs. Treatment is initiated according to the type of drug used and the cause behind it. Counseling or multiple courses of treatment may be advised to treat any prescription drug abuse.

Types of Treatment
There are two main categories of prescription drug addiction treatment, i.e. behavioral and pharmacological.

Behavioral treatments: It teaches and helps people to function without drugs, to handle cravings, to avoid the situations that could lead to drug use, to prevent relapse, and to handle relapse should it occur. Additionally individual counseling, group or family counseling and emergency management can also help patients to tackle with this problem.

Pharmacological treatment: Some addictions, such as opioid, can also be treated with medications. Such treatment is known as pharmacological treatments, which counter the effects of the drug on the brain and behavior. This form of treatment can also be used to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal, to treat an overdose, or to help overcome drug cravings.

Although both the forms of treatments, i.e. behavioral or pharmacological may alone be helpful for treating prescription drug addiction, but research shows that a combination of both, if available, works as miracle on the patient.