Dictionary

Prescription drug misuse refers to using prescription medications in ways the prescribing healthcare provider does not intend. This can involve taking a medication that was not prescribed for the individual, taking a medication in a higher dose or more frequently than prescribed, taking a medication for a different purpose than it was prescribed for, or taking a medication in combination with other substances, such as alcohol, to achieve a desired effect.

Prescription drug misuse is a growing problem, and it can have serious health consequences, including overdose, addiction, and other health problems. Misusing prescription drugs can also lead to the development of tolerance, where the individual needs increasing amounts of the medication to achieve the desired effect, and dependence, where the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the medication.

It is important to use prescription drugs as directed by a licensed healthcare provider and never to share prescription medications with others or use them in ways that are not intended.