What is a controlled substance or controlled medication?
The federal government has categorized a class of medication as having a higher-than-average potential for abuse or addiction. Such medications, known as controlled substances, are divided into categories based on their potential for abuse or addiction. They range from illegal street drugs (Schedule 1, or C1) to medications with decreasing potential for abuse (C2 through C5). Prescriptions containing narcotics or amphetamines are often classified as C2, since they have a relatively high potential for abuse or addiction.
