He was an Oscar-winning actor, but he died as a result of misusing prescription drugs. Heath Ledger died thanks to a deadly combination of opioids, stimulants and depressants. These three are never ever recommended to be taken together.

While the world continues to miss him, Ledger’s death reminds us that prescription medications are dangerous if taken uncontrolled. Like any of substance, abusing prescription drugs like Ledger did could lead to an irreversible mental and physical outcome.

When people fall sick, they go to the hospital and are prescribed medications. Because some drugs have particular effects on the human body, some people tend to consume them even when they are not sick and have not be prescribed the drugs. Such is the case with most painkillers. Whenever a person takes a drug that is not intended for them to consume, that person abuses a prescription drug. Also, taking prescription medication at quantities higher that was prescribed is also considered drug abuse.

You may wonder why people abuse prescription medication. There are a good number of those reasons. Some medications are prescribed to boost activity in people suffering from disorders like Alzheimer’s. Students abuse such drugs to stay alert and perform better in school. Some are painkillers and people get to use them to relieve their pain, even without prescription.

There are quite some physical, mental and behavioral side effects of abusing prescription drugs. First, the person feels numb. Their emotions, whether negative and positive, are veiled. The individual starts compromising judgment, and this can lead to high risk behaviors. Prescription medication abusers perform poorly academically, and are generally less motivated and productive in their activities.

In most cases, abusers become so obsessed with obtaining and using drugs that they sometimes lose their social support system. In a nutshell, the abuse of prescription medication is dangerous to the human body. Whatever temptation comes your way, avoiding these medications is the best decision you can ever make. This is useful advice for who will not want to be the next Heath Ledger.