Taking unknown prescription drugs may start in the teenage years because of experimentation. Children may experiment as early as age 12. These drugs are available quicker and easier then "street" drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, because they are in the medicine cabinet for adult use in the home. The most commonly abused prescription drugs include pain relievers, sedatives, stimulants and tranquilizers.
Overdose
Overdose is a possible danger when taking prescription medication such as sleeping pills or pain relievers without knowing exactly what they are or the recommended dose. Since the medication is not prescribed for the person abusing the drug, there are no guidelines to how much is enough or how much is too much. An overdose can cause severe health problems and may lead to death. In most cases, hospitalization is needed.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal from narcotic medications can occur if the person briefly stops using them after abusing them for a long time. The body becomes accustomed to medications after a while, especially if they are addictive, such as benzodiazepines opiates or narcotic painkillers. Both of these types of medications will cause withdrawal symptoms, and could lead to a seizures and death.
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest or a heart attack may occur after there is a period of respiratory arrest in a person taking unknown prescription drugs. The cardiac arrest can be fatal because the heart can stop as a result of an overdose of medication.
Legal Consequences
There are legal consequences if someone is caught harboring medications that are not prescribed for them. It is considered abuse and there can be prison time associated with it. Especially with the higher levels of controlled substances such as morphine, oxycodone and other opioids, the penalties can be severe.
Addiction
Addiction may happen if the person continues to take medications not prescribed for him for a long time. This most often occurs with the aforementioned narcotics and benzodiazepines. He may go through withdrawal symptoms. He also may need forced detoxification, such as that provided in drug rehabilitation facilities, and he may need extensive counseling to keep from returning to drug abuse.
