In countries with more strict pharmacies you would likely only be able to get it with a prescription. It is a dangerous drug because it is definitely addictive but I am not an addictive person so there's no worries about that with me. When I take it I can definitely feel the "high" that people probably get accustomed to but since I don't like being "high" in really any capacity (including being drunk) this is not a big factor for me.
When I was in both Thailand and Mexico, I was unable to get this drug in the drug stores without a prescription. In Vietnam they let you have just about anything you want.