Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. According to several national surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths.
Treatment options for prescription drug abuse vary, depending on the type of drug used and your needs. But counseling, or sometimes psychotherapy, is typically a key part of treatment. Treatment may also require detoxification, addiction medication and recovery support. In Sweden, about 592,364 cases of prescription drug abuse are reported each year. Approximately 6% of the Sweden population is suffering from prescription drug abuse.