CNS depressant abuse is risky too. Abruptly stopping or reducing them too quickly can lead to seizures. Taking CNS depressants with other medicines, such as prescription painkillers, some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, or alcohol can slow a person's heartbeat and breathing — and even kill. Stimulant abuse like with some ADHD drugs may cause heart failure or seizures. These risks are increased when stimulants are mixed with other medicines — even OTC ones like cold medicines.
Taking too much of a stimulant can lead to a dangerously high body temperature or an irregular heartbeat. High doses over a short period may make someone aggressive or paranoid. Stimulant abuse might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal, but users might take the drugs so often that they become a hard habit to break. The dangers of prescription drug abuse can be made even worse if people take drugs in a way they weren't intended to be used.
Ritalin may seem harmless because it's prescribed even for little kids with ADHD. Probably the most common risk of prescription drug abuse is addiction. People who abuse medicines can become addicted as easily as if they were taking street drugs. That's one reason most doctors won't renew a prescription unless they see the patient — they want to examine the patient to make sure he or she isn't getting addicted.
If a doctor prescribes a pain medicine, stimulant, or CNS depressant, follow the directions exactly. Also be sure to:. Finally, never use someone else's prescription. Additionally, as our brains are becoming hardwired during adolescence, the pathways being reinforced are the ones that stick. If those pathways include addiction, the impact may lead to life-long challenges. As with any type of mind-altering drug, prescription drug misuse and abuse can affect judgment and inhibition, putting adolescents at heightened risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, misusing other kinds of drugs, and engaging in additional risky behaviors.
In addition, educating adolescents and their parents about the risks of drug misuse and abuse can play a role in combating the problem. Developed with the help of teens to ensure relevance, NIDA scientists created a site that delivers science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body so that young people will be armed with better information to make healthy decisions.
Access more behavioral health and homelessness resources. To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information. Skip to main content. Mono Bar U. Main menu. Territories for mental and substance use disorders. People who misuse these drugs may not understand the risks.
The medicines may not be safe for them, especially at higher doses or when taken with other medicines. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
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