When Treatment Turns to Addiction: Emerging Issues in Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse

Abstract

As the availability of both over-the-counter and prescription medications has grown, medications that were previously classified as “harmless” are now being misused. Detection of misuse of other substances can be difficult as many are not found on typical screens. In this article, we discuss promethazine, quetiapine, loperamide, bupropion, zolpidem, and gabapentin, and our current understanding of their misuse and the characteristics of their addictive properties if known. Although we know much about their clinical indications, the reasons and reinforcing properties leading to their misuse is largely unknown. With this article, we also hope to raise clinician awareness for the potential medical consequences and psychotropic effects stemming from the misuse of these drugs. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2018;48(8):379–383.]