Prescription drug abuse is surpassed only by alcohol and marijuana as the most commons form of recreational drug use or drug addiction. Diet pills and medications for pain are, without a doubt, the most commonly abused prescriptions.  These medications include Oxycodone known as Percoset and Endoset and Hydrocodone known as Vicodin and Lorcet.  It should be noted that they are not always intentionally abused and are usually, genuinely prescribed by a person's physician.  While prescription drug addiction may be embarrassing to the addict, it is also an addiction that is the easily shared with family or friends hopefully raising awareness to this form of addiction.  Since the drugs involved are not illegal drugs, it is usually easier for an addict to ask for help or for a former addict to relate his/her experiences with others.

Many addicts begin using their medications following their physician's instructions but may, ultimately, find themselves becoming addicted after extended use.  They may also make a serious error in judgment by mixing their medication with alcohol unaware that this action may have severe and addictive side affects. Alcohol mixed with pain relievers increases the dizzying effect and can, unfortunately, be a very pleasant side affect for some then can spiral out of control just from occasional use to an outright addiction. This form of addiction can be very difficult to recover from without treatment by a professional clinic.

Another source for prescription drug abuse are diet pills.  The user generally starts out with good intentions and may become addicted to the pills as the euphoria of losing weight and the psychological fear of regaining their weight increases. They may also feel lethargic and tired when they stop due to the amphetamine high they get from the pills. This has, in many cases, caused tardiness at work or sluggishness once they arrive.  This may lead the person to look for the "energy" that now seems to be missing from their lives and can lead to long-lasting use and ultimately abuse and addiction.

Prescription drug abuse should not be viewed in the same light as the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine, crack, marijuana, etc which begin their use as a recreational high.  The prescription drug addict rarely begins using their drugs to get high.  This addict became addicted to medications prescribed by their own physician.