Glossary of Terms

prescription drug misuse/abuse
the misuse or non-medical use of a controlled psychotropic pharmaceutical drug for something other than its intended medical or psychiatric purpose

oxycontin
the brand name of the time-release formula of oxycodone, an active ingredient in medications prescribed for the relief of severe pain

benzodiazepines (or “benzos”)
a psychoactive drug that results in sedative, sleep-inducing and anti-anxiety effects

opioids
a chemical found in certain prescription medications that decreases the perception and reaction to pain, and helps increase tolerance to pain

double-doctoring/doctor-shopping
obtaining multiple prescriptions for the same medication from different physicians

prescription drug diversion
turning away drugs from their original purpose; the recreational use of prescription drugs

TPP (Triplicate Prescription Program)
a program administered by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta to track the use of certain drugs with potential for misuse or abuse with a personalized, three-part prescription form completed by physicians