4 Risks and Dangers of Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse

It is an alarming truth that the intentional abuse of prescription drugs by teens is an issue that is on the rise. Thousands of teenagers, often seemingly unaware or deliberately ignoring the risks of abuse, are exploring the use of a prescription drug for the first time without having sought any sort of medical guidance.

Many drugs are readily available as a result of poor household security protocols where drugs are easily accessible and excess amounts are not often discarded when they are no longer needed.

It appears that teens have a general perception that prescription drugs present a lower risk than street drugs. That is a dangerous view as prescription drugs can cause serious health risks.

What are the main risks and dangers that teens face when trying prescription drugs?

The risk to health is very real

There are numerous health risks attached to taking prescription drugs that were intended for someone else.

An example of the serious risk to their health that teens are exposing themselves to when taking prescription drugs is that an excessive dose could trigger breathing difficulties and could even prove lethal.

Even small doses of drugs such as painkillers and antidepressants can have a detrimental impact on a teen’s motor skills. It can also adversely impact their judgment and ability to take in new information.

When you consider that a dosage has been prescribed based on the original patient’s medical diagnosis, age, weight, and health profile, you can soon appreciate how dangerous it is to take someone else’s drugs.

If you consider the abuse of Oxycodone, for instance, when this drug is crushed and inhaled it can impact the central nervous system, with lethal repercussions.

Side effects

Another serious risk factor to consider is the potential for side effects. Many prescription drugs tend to have some level of side effects that every patient needs to be aware of and manage when taking the medication.

If a teen is abusing a prescription drug intended for someone else they are exposing themselves to the risk of suffering from a potentially dangerous side effect.

Ignorance of the dangers

Teens often have a higher risk profile at their age which makes them more open to trying new experiences. The problem with experimenting with prescription drugs is that they are often unaware of the extent of the dangers they are exposing themselves to.

A percentage of teens would never try street drugs but incorrectly think that prescription drugs are not as risky.

There is a risk of addiction

People don’t tend to become addicted to prescription medicines because they take the correct dosage at the right intervals.

However, when taken repeatedly and more regularly there is a heightened risk of triggering an addiction to taking the drug.

Taking drugs repeatedly triggers changes in the way your brain behaves. That means a teen could easily become addicted when they start experimenting with prescription drugs.

There should be no misunderstanding. Teens are putting themselves at risk when experimenting with prescription drugs.