Making the decision to abuse prescription drugs can lead to big changes in your life. One of them is addiction. Addiction is when the body gets used to the drug being in your system so when you try to stop, you experience withdrawals. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and cold flashes. But addiction isn’t the only danger.

Physical consequences:

• body function disruptions — including excessive sweating, urination or thirst
• drowsiness, dizziness, shaking, insomnia
• severe and extensive rashes
• hospitalization
• death

There's also good chance that you will begin to act differently and that people will treat you differently. These changes in your behavior can have a huge impact on you, your family and on your plans for the future.

Social consequences:

• losing longtime friends
• taking chances you normally wouldn't – like having unsafe sex (which could expose you to an STD) and/or driving under the influence (this could lead to loss of license, or even more serious charges if someone is injured or killed in an accident)
• losing interest in appearance
• losing interest in family activities and/or organizations like clubs or sports
• stealing (to pay for drugs) – This could land you in trouble with the law!
• developing a bad reputation

It isn’t worth it! Live above the influence!

Sources:
Above the Influence
National Institute on Drug Abuse
US Department of Justice