MYTH: Prescriptions Are Safe
Most prescription drugs, when prescribed by your doctor, are safe provided you follow the dosing instructions carefully. But, prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs when misused. Just because a drug is prescribed by a doctor does not ensure its safety.
There are many misconceptions regarding prescription drugs. Such myths are downright dangerous to those who take them to heart. Some of the most confused beliefs about prescription drugs include:
Common Myths
1. You can’t become addicted to prescription medications if taken as directed. This is a dangerous and incorrect belief. There are many medications given by prescription that can lead to addiction even if you follow the dosing instructions. These include controlled substances, such as painkillers. These are highly addictive which is why they should only be used temporarily and under the close supervision of a doctor.
2. Prescription addictions are safer than being addicted to illicit drugs. This is a common misconception, especially among teens and young adults. They think prescription medications are safer to use than street drugs because they are FDA-approved and used to treat a variety of ailments when prescribed by a doctor. Young people need to understand that just because a medication is prescribed, does not make it safe. If that medicine was not prescribed to the individual who’s using it, the consequences can be serious and even fatal.
3. Sharing and misusing prescription medications is not illegal, unlike underage drinking or illicit drugs. Many young people think nothing of taking a friend’s prescription pain reliever for a headache or borrowing some Adderall to pull an all-night study session. However, many of these substances will appear on the controlled substance list. It is illegal to possess or ingest such medications without a prescription and only a doctor or pharmacist can give you such medications. If you’re caught by law enforcement with such drugs, you’ll be in legal trouble.
4. Prescription drugs must be safe because everyone is using them. Young people tend to overestimate their peers’ misuse of prescription medications. In reality, most college-age kids realize the risks associated with misusing prescription medications and choose not to partake. Most people obtain prescription drugs from drug dealers on the street. It is a common misconception that you must consult a shady drug dealer to get any kind of drugs. Usually, a person needs to look no further than a friend or acquaintance to obtain a prescription drug. Popular drugs are widely prescribed for legitimate reasons, thus making them widely available.
5. Nothing bad will happen. This is a myth that many young people believe because they feel they are invincible. This is the mindset that leads them to so many risky behaviors. Unfortunately, most who believe that nothing bad will happen to them or their friends are vulnerable. This thinking is very dangerous in regards to prescription medications. Such thinking can lead a person to mix medications with alcohol or other substances which can have detrimental consequences.
When prescribed by a doctor, prescription medications are very useful in treating many ailments and are perfectly safe. However, this all changes when these drugs are misused or taken by someone other than the person for whom they were prescribed. If you or someone you care about has developed an addiction, it’s time to take the courageous step of seeking drug and alcohol treatment in Huntington Beach, CA.