There are several reasons that medical professionals have to prescribe certain drugs. Many medications interact with one another. People require professional oversight to avoid dangerous combinations of medications. There is also the potential for abuse.
Many medications can become habit-forming, if not downright addictive. There are also certain medications that people abuse for recreational purposes. Requiring a medical recommendation and distribution through licensed pharmacies helps prevent widespread abuse of powerful medications. Technically, people can face criminal charges for inappropriately possessing or sharing any type of prescription medication.
However, certain medications often trigger more intense scrutiny because of their strong association with addiction or abuse. People who have prescriptions for the medications listed below may need to be particularly proactive about legal compliance to protect themselves.
Pain medications and muscle relaxers
The powerful prescription medications provided to people after they break bones or go through surgery are addictive in many cases. Doctors typically prescribe the lowest dose that they can and limit the number of doses that they provide. People also frequently abuse muscle relaxants, like Flexeril.
Prescription stimulants
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that affects people’s relationships and job performance. Young adults and grown professionals may have prescriptions for powerful stimulant medications. Drugs like Ritalin and Adderall can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. College students and those in high-demand professions are among those who might abuse prescription stimulants.
Psychiatric medications
There are a number of medications that people take to control psychiatric conditions that people may abuse. Benzodiazepines, for example, have a strong association with abuse and dependence. Historically, people have also abused drugs like lithium.
Erectile dysfunction medications
There is a strong demand on the unregulated market for erectile dysfunction drugs. People not only try to obtain the medication to treat symptoms without the oversight of a doctor, which can be dangerous. They also sometimes combine these medications with other drugs, like cocaine, in a dangerous drug cocktail.
If police officers encounter people with these types of medications in their possession, they may have questions about the origins of those medications or an individual’s intent. Recognizing that certain medications create legal vulnerability can be beneficial for patients with a wide range of different conditions. Fighting back against drug charges related to prescription medication requires a custom strategy based on the medical history of the defendant and the charges they face.
