Prescription Drug Abuse Essay

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Teens and Abuse of Prescription Drugs The pressing issue of teenagers abusing prescription drugs has gone unnoticed for far too long now. People have been focused on the diminishment of the usage of medical and recreational marijuana for ages, but no one seems to realize the drugs that are even easier to obtain: prescription drugs. Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. Although the mishandling of prescription drugs is common among many age groups, adolescence is time when most start, therefore, being an impeccable stage to take in the knowledge of the damages they may cause. In 2013, 21.5 percent of twelfth graders admitted to …show more content…

Many of whom do not possess the knowledge of the short term and long term damages taking these medications can do to a person. Some of the commonly misused prescription drugs are depressants, opioids, and stimulants. The abuse of depressants can cause slurred speech, shallow breathing, sleepiness, disorientation, lack of coordination, and for people who suddenly stop using can experience seizures. On the other hand, abusing opioids can cause sleepiness, nausea, constipation, and sometimes even breathing problems. Unlike depressants and opioids, stimulants cause paranoia and severe increase in body temperature and heartbeat. Besides the individual symptoms that these drugs possess, any abuse of medications can cause addiction, change in mood, perceptions, behavior judgment, and all of these risks increase the chances when being mixed with actual prescribed medications, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Countless abusers believe in the misconceptions that make abusing seem okay. For instance, they believe that since they’re prescribed from a doctor, it means that they’re safe for everyone as well as being legal for anyone to induce them. People also may think that prescription drugs like painkillers are not addictive and can be taken to solve every illness without an expiration date. The knowledge of the damages and misconceptions that abusing prescription medications lead to are nonexistent to

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