What kind of drugs can be misused?

Virtually any prescription drug can be used for reasons other than its intended medical purpose.

However, certain prescription drugs are misused more often than others. These include opiate-based drugs for pain relief, tranquillizers, stimulants and amphetamines, and sedatives and barbiturates.

According to the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, opioids are prescription drugs that are frequently misused and include pain medications with active ingredients like morphine, oxycodone and codeine. Tranquillizers, prescribed to reduce stress and anxiety, are also frequently misused and include benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium®) and alprazolam (Xanax®).

Common, over-the-counter drugs can also be abused for their psychoactive effects, including cough medicines, sleep aids and antihistamines. Even asthma inhalers can be used for purposes other than for what they are prescribed.