Prescription Drug Misuse

Prescription drug misuse refers to the use of prescription medications in ways other than prescribed — including taking higher doses, using someone else's prescription, or using drugs for non-medical purposes such as getting high. It encompasses misuse of opioids, stimulants, tranquilizers, sedatives, and benzodiazepines. An estimated 13.8 million Americans misuse prescription drugs each year, representing approximately 4.8% of the population aged 12 and older. Opioids remain the most consequential category — approximately 8 million people reported misusing prescription pain relievers in 2024, and the opioid crisis continues to drive devastating overdose rates. Opioid overdose deaths increased 885% from 1999 to 2023, with synthetic opioids — primarily fentanyl — now accounting for nearly 70% of all overdose deaths. Beyond opioids, an estimated 3.7 million people misuse prescription stimulants and 4.9 million misuse prescription tranquilizers or sedatives annually. Young adults are among the most affected, and 7.6 million people — more than half of all who misuse prescriptions — meet criteria for addiction to the drugs they misuse. Addressing prescription drug misuse requires a coordinated approach spanning prescriber education, access to treatment for opioid use disorder, harm reduction strategies, and expanded mental health support.