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Abuse & Misuse of Prescription Drugs


This site was prepared in cooperation with the following agencies: Texas Medical Board , Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, State Board of Dental Examiners, Board of Nurse Examiners, Texas Optometry Board, and Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

Within the last decade, abuse and misuse of certain prescription drugs, especially pain medications, has become prevalent. Studies have indicated that educating health care providers about the growing problem and providing them with information will create a heightened awareness of the appropriate use of pain medication as well as the misuses and diversion of addictive pain medications. This website contains resources for information on:

(1) prescribing and dispensing pain medications

(2) abusive and addictive behavior of certain persons who use prescription pain medications

(3) common diversion strategies employed by certain persons who use prescription pain medications, including fraudulent patterns

(4) the appropriate use of pain medications and the difference between addiction, pseudo-addiction, tolerance, and physical dependence

(5) information regarding the services provided by poison control centers


Agency Guidelines/Position Statements on the Treatment of Pain


Position Statement on the Treatment of Pain

Corresponding Responsibility

General Information for Health Professionals

Red Flags

Information from the Missouri Task Force on Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion of Prescription Drugs to increase Awareness of America's drug abuse problem.  (PDF)

Aware Rx - Prescription Drug Safety

National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) - Prescription Pattern Analysis Tracking Robberies and Other Losses.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network - Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Information regarding services provided by Poison Control Centers

Corresponding Responsibility – A Shared Obligation


Peer Assistance Programs for Health Professionals

Dentists - Peer Assistance for Dentists

Nurses -  Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN)

Pharmacists - Professional Recovery Network (PRN)

Addiction in Pharmacy – the Untold Truth


Other helpful links

American Cancer Society

Campus Drug Prevention

CDC- Overdose Prevention

Coalition Against Drug Abuse

Health and Human Services

Medicine Net

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Operation Prevention

Texas Pain Society

Links to resources outside the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) do not imply endorsement or approval of the information, products or services offered at those sites. Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information on this page for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider.