According to Phillips (2013) there are many deaths every day in the United States from prescription drug overdose; “around 100 people die every day” (p.79). This is a crucial number of people and significantly high compared to other drug overdoses. Prescription drug abuse has been extremely harmful to citizens of the United States and has not only affected the lives of the abuser, but also their friends and family. Abuses continue to grow every year despite efforts undertaken by many individuals, organizations and state officials. Why does this growth continue to grow and what are the effects of prescription drug abuse? There are a few ways to identify if someone is abusing a drug, and there are many types of drugs that people abuse. There are three ways to define whether someone abuses prescription drugs: the drug is used deliberately without a prescription; the drug is used in a way not intended by the doctor; and/or for the feelings and experiences created through drugs (Prescription Drug Abuse, 2011). There is a clear difference between abusers and abusers: abusers may use drugs improperly, but abusers may use drugs improperly to get high. There are four categories of prescription drugs: painkillers (opioids), depressants, stimulants, and sedatives (Prescription Drug Abuse, 2011). Of these, painkillers are by far the most widely used, and some common medications that fall into this category are “codon” (e.g., Vicodin); oxycodone, (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet); Morphine, (e.g. Kadian, Avenza); and codeine” (Phillips, 2013, p. 79). Some sedatives are Valium, Xanax and Ambien. Two of the most common stimulants are Adderall and Ritalin. It's all too easy b...... middle of paper ...... ed. Drugs are a highly controversial topic in the United States, but people who have been affected by them know the risks that come with use and abuse. Although many efforts have been made to stop the rise of prescription drugs, unfortunately they continue to grow every day. Works CitedPhillips, J. (2013, March) Prescription Drug Abuse: Problems, Policies, and Implications.Nursing Outlook, 61(2) , 78-84. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2012.06.009 Prescription drug abuse. (2011, December). National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www. drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/prescription-drug-abuse Winstanely, E.L., Gay, J., Roberts, L., Moseley, J., Hall, O., Beeghly, BC, …Somoza, E. (2012). Prescription drug abuse as a public health problem in Ohio: A case report. Public Health Nursing, 29(6), 553-562. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2012.01043.x