Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
It’s frightening to think so, but the vast majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs first get them from home, from friends, or from relatives.
For example, someone in the household gets a prescription for a painkiller after surgery, and the unused prescription is simply left in the medicine cabinet. A teen in the household hears from his friends that those painkillers are a safe option to get high. The painkillers are freely available in the medicine cabinet at home so it is easy for the teen to try them.
This video discusses the signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse in students.
Or, a teen sees family members, quite innocently, sharing prescription drugs among themselves. It doesn’t matter if it’s an antibiotic, allergy medication, or tranquilizer. It sends the wrong message.
Parents who are vigilant about how they use, store, and dispose of prescription drugs at home are better able to keep their teens safe from prescription drug abuse.
