More than 1.7 million people in the United States suffer from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. In 2019, nearly 50,000 Americans died from opioid-involved overdoses. In some cases, prescription drugs are illegally obtained from friends and family members. However, they are often misused after being legally prescribed by doctors. The most commonly misused pain relievers in the United States are oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and methadone.

Depressants that are prescribed by doctors are also responsible for a high number of substance abuse issues. This typically includes tranquilizers and sedatives that doctors prescribe to patients with sleep issues or anxiety disorders. Additionally, benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants are commonly abused after they are prescribed.