Pills can either be prescribed or purchased "on the street". Abuse of prescribed medication is not uncommon. Prescribed medications that are commonly abused include:
* pain killers, such as Dilaudid and Percodan,
* sleeping pills, such as Seconal,
* anti-anxiety medications, such as Valium and Xanax,
* cough suppressants with codeine, and
* stimulants, such as Ritalin.

Many of these medications are addicting. It is easy to become habituated to others. Prescription abuse may begin innocently enough. "If one is good, two will help me even more". Or, "My pain is really bad today, I think I'll double my medication". When the prescription runs out before it should, the person may go to another doctor for a second prescription. Soon, there is a real problem.

Sometimes people buy pills on the street. They can be pills stolen from a pharmacy or made in an illegal lab. Taking medications without knowing if they are pure, or what dose you are taking is especially dangerous.

In general, pills are classed as depressants or stimulants. This is based on what effect they have on the central nervous system. Depressants include sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. They affect the body the same way as alcohol does. They help a person calm down and relax or fall asleep. If too high a dose of depressants is taken, it can slow down or even stop one's breathing. That's why you are cautioned not to drink alcohol with a prescribed depressant.

The other class of drugs that are taken in pill form are the stimulants. The most popular stimulant is "speed" or amphetamine. Doctors used to prescribe amphetamines for dieters because this drug takes the appetite away. Now it is used in attention deficit disorder in children, and in mild AIDS dementia. These drugs are long-lasting and make one feel alert and full of energy. Overuse can cause an irregular heartbeat. Some people are "poly" drug users. This means they take many drugs. An upper to wake up, a tranquilizer to mellow out, alcohol to get a buzz and a downer to go to sleep. Combining these drugs can be very dangerous. Many of these medications should only be stopped while under medical care and supervision.

To learn more, call the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at (800) NCA-CALL. Speak to your pharmacist or health care provider if you are concerned about prescription drug abuse. Or call the NIDA Referral Hot line at (800) 662-HELP.

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