GET THE FACTS
Prescription Drugs
Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. When abused and taken without a doctor’s guidance, they can cause serious physical and mental health problems. Plus, it’s illegal, just like taking street drugs. Get the facts on prescription drugs and how you can help prevent drug abuse.
Get the Facts
Overview
Prescription drugs are prescribed by a doctor, so they are fine, right? Well, it depends. Prescription drug abuse can feel like a gray area. Yes, prescription drugs are legally prescribed, but there are important parameters that make prescription drugs legal. Not following these guidelines makes prescription drug use illegal, not to mention dangerous. When misused and abused, prescription drugs can be deadly and cause addiction.
Prescription drug misuse and abuse occurs when someone takes medication inappropriately. That could be taking the medication without a prescription. It could mean taking someone else’s prescription. It also includes buying prescription drugs from another person.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs include the following:
Stimulants
Stimulants
Opioids
Opioids
Antidepressants
Antidepressants
Anxiolytics
Anxiolytics
Know the Risks
We discussed some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs above. Now let’s talk about why it’s so dangerous to abuse those drugs.
Stimulants have side effects that are similar to the side effects one gets with cocaine. Those effects include:

- Irregular heartbeat
- Paranoia
- Dangerously high body temperature
- Elevated blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Loss of appetite
These risks increase if stimulants are taken in high doses or in a way different than by mouth.
Opioids have side effects that are similar to heroin. They can cause the following:
- Nausea
- Slowed breathing
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Dizziness

Antidepressants have a wide range of side effects. Some of those side effects include:

- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Some of the most common side effects of anti-anxiety medications are listed below:
- Feeling agitated
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Lack of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Irregular breathing

Youth Prescription Drug Abuse Data
Middle School Students (6th - 8th grade)
Most middle schoolers are not abusing prescription drugs. Over 98% of McIntosh County middle schoolers have not used prescription drugs in the past 30 days.

High School Students (9th - 12th grade)
Even in high school, most students are not abusing prescription drugs. Over 95% of McIntosh County high schoolers had not abused prescription drugs in the past 30 days.

Common Myths
In reality, prescription drugs can be very dangerous when taken in a way that is not recommended by a doctor. They are especially harmful to developing brains. As brains are developing, the pathways being reinforced are the ones that become permanent. One of those pathways includes addiction. Prescription drug abuse can also cause many long-term problems in the body.
There is a strong correlation between substance abuse and depression. A survey of adolescents found that emotional vulnerability increased likelihood of drug use in kids. Depression levels and the risk of lifetime drug use increase when a person uses drugs in adolescence.
High school and college students frequently believe that the prescription drug Adderall can help them get all their work done and do better in school. However, research has shown that students who abuse stimulants have lower GPAs in high school and college.
It is never okay to use any prescription drug that was not prescribed for you. Even if it seems harmless like an antibiotic, sharing prescription drugs is illegal. Prescription drugs are prescribed for a specific individual at a specific dose. Only a doctor knows what is safe for a patient. Additionally, if you share your prescriptions with someone else, you may accidentally be helping feed an addiction. There is also the potential for an allergic reaction or other medical emergency.
Prevention Tips for Youth
You know the dangers of misusing prescription drugs, but what can you do when offered a prescription drug? Keep reading to learn how to stay on track and say no to prescription drugs.
Tip #1
Understand the dangers of drug abuse for yourself. If you read up on why prescription drug abuse can be so harmful, chances are you won’t have any interest in giving it a try. There are so many dangerous side effects, that it’s unlikely you’ll find any upside.

Tip #2
Say no with confidence. When you know who you are and what you want, it’s easier to say no to drugs. Plus, other kids are less likely to challenge you when you say no with strength and conviction.
Tip #3
Change the subject. If the conversation turns to the idea of taking prescription drugs, try to change the subject. That way you won’t be put on the spot. You can talk about an upcoming game or event, a big test, or summer plans.

Tip #4
Know the statistics. In 2021, 91,799 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States. That’s a scary number. And while it may seem like a lot of people abuse prescription drugs, understand that you are not alone in saying no. The majority of teens do not abuse prescription drugs.
Prevention Tips for Parents
Tip #1
Start the conversation.
Educate yourself and your children about prescription drug abuse. Know which prescription drugs are most commonly abused. You can refer to the foregoing list. Make sure your kids know how dangerous abusing prescription drugs can be to their health and well-being.

Tip #2
Understand the reasons. It’s helpful to know why kids are abusing prescription drugs. Studies have found that there are various reasons why kids decide to use prescription drugs without a prescription. Some of those reasons include boredom, anxiety or depression, access to a parent’s prescriptions, and peer pressure.

Tip #3
Keep family medications safe.
If any family members have prescription drugs, make sure you keep them in a safe place where you can keep track of them. It’s also a good idea to monitor the number of pills and ensure you can account for them. Even if you are confident your children are not getting into the prescription drugs, you can’t be sure that any friends won’t get into the prescription drugs.
Tip #4
Do not talk about drugs in a positive way. Yes, prescription drugs can be important to alleviate pain or help balance chemicals in the brain, but be careful how you talk about drugs around your kids. Take your medications discretely and try not to mention how much better you feel after taking any drug–over-the-counter or prescription. Do not give your children the idea that drugs are positive.
Know the Warning Signs
Warning signs of prescription drug abuse can include behavioral and physical changes. Knowing what to watch for can help you intervene if someone is abusing prescription drugs.

Behavioral changes may look like:
- Irritability and mood swings
- Loss of interest in activities and personal appearance
- Clumsiness and forgetfulness
- Sudden change of friends
- Sudden increase or loss of appetite
- Impaired judgement
Physical changes may look like:
- Dilated pupils
- Dry mouth
- Slurred speech
- Rapid weight changes
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart beat
- Flu-like symptoms

Test Your Knowledge
Resources
Resources for Parents
Resources for Youth
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Prescription Drugs
When prescription drugs are taken without a doctor’s guidance, they can cause serious physical and mental health problems. Get the facts on prescription drugs.