Anyone who has worked in an institution for those with psychiatric disorders knows there are other ways to control a person's behavior besides physical force. Such methods have been called 'chemical restraints'.

Certain pharmaceuticals, used judiciously, can help persons who are psychotic, confused and/or anxious become calm and lucid. Some can keep a person who is distressed, noisy, dangerous, or just awake at inconvenient times knocked out. Regulations in the United States have prohibited their use without the permission of the client except when the individual is documented by more than one person to be a risk to self or others. Such medications - they are mostly prescription drugs - are used in facilities for the elderly, and with kids without psychiatric disorders who are more active than is convenient. The elderly may be given such medications for symptoms associated with dementia or other neurological and psychiatric issues. However, they too are sometimes treated just for being more active than is convenient. Persons who have been imprisoned at times are also administered such drugs.