Occasional Drug Use Can Be Dangerous

Occasional Drug Use Can Be Dangerous Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Print Occasional Drug Use Can Be Dangerous Early Onset Abuse Means Greater Risks By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 20, 2018 Steve Hix / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery One misconception connected to the increase in prescription drug abuse by teens is that using drugs is safe as long as you only do it every once in a while. Many teens believe that if they only occasionally use drugs, they cant have an overdose or become addicted. Unfortunately, there is a lot of evidence that even occasional drug use can be dangerous and can lead to a risk of developing other problems during adolescence as well as into adulthood. Accidental Overdose Danger We frequently see stories in the news in which a teenager experimenting with drugs for the first time dies from an accidental overdose, or a teen drinking alcohol for the first time dies from acute alcohol poisoning. Drugs affect different people in different ways, and some people can experience dangerous side effects or even fatal reactions the first time they take a drug. Even when you have a prescription for the drug, you can have an adverse reaction. Risks of Early Onset Substance Abuse Years of scientific research into early-onset substance abuseâ€"drinking or using drugs before age 15 especiallyâ€"is linked to a variety of risks for other problems. Research has shown that doing drugs or drinking before age 21 is linked to: Significantly higher risks of developing substance abuse problems as an adultFive times the risk of becoming addicted or chemically dependent early in adulthoodA greater likelihood of using illicit drugs and developing a dependence upon themThe development of a smaller brain size compared to teens who do not drink or do drugsA greater risk of developing other problems including depression, suicide, risky sexual behavior, behavioral problems and problems at home and school Why You Need a Prescription If all prescription drugs were safe, you could just walk into the store and buy them off the shelf. There are reasons that you need to get a prescription from a doctor or healthcare provider before you can take some medications. First, almost all medications have some kind of side-effects. Therefore, a doctor needs to examine you and your medical history to make sure the medication you are being prescribed does not cause additional problems with a preexisting condition. Also, some medications can clash with others, causing severe reactions. Before you can get a new prescription, a doctor needs to determine if the new drug might interfere with or react to another medication you are already taking. If you take a medication that was safely prescribed for someone else, it doesnt mean that it will be safe for you to take. The Bottom Line on Prescription Drugs When you abuse prescription drugs, they can be just as dangerous and addictive as street drugs. You can die from abusing prescription drugs or alcohol, even the very first time you try them. Not everyone has a deadly or even negative reaction to taking drugs the first time, but some people do. Do you want to take that chance?