What distinguishes a controlled substance from a non-controlled substance?

The distinction between controlled substances and non-controlled substances primarily lies in the regulation imposed on controlled substances due to their potential for abuse and addiction. Controlled substances are categorized by law into different schedules based on their medicinal value, the severity of their potential for abuse, and their safety for use under medical supervision.

The classification allows regulatory agencies to monitor their distribution, prescribing, and use, thereby minimizing the risk of misuse and protecting public health. This regulatory framework serves to ensure that medications that could lead to dependency or significant adverse public health effects are controlled more tightly than those considered safe and effective for use without such risks.

In this context, while some controlled substances may indeed be available only by prescription, this aspect alone does not define them. Additionally, non-controlled substances may have certain restrictions, particularly if they fit into categories such as over-the-counter medications, which might also be regulated albeit differently. Finally, not all medications are classified as controlled substances; many fall into categories that are not subject to the same stringent regulations. Therefore, the defining characteristic of controlled substances being regulated by law due to their potential for abuse provides the most accurate distinction.