Man sits on edge of bed and wonders how prescription drug abuse affects the brain

How Prescription Drug Abuse Affects the Brain: Short-Term and Long-Term Impact

Prescription drugs can seem harmless—after all, they come from a doctor, not a street dealer. But when misused, these medications can alter the brain in ways that make it harder to function, feel joy, or even make basic decisions. Opioids, stimulants, and sedatives all affect brain chemistry differently, but they share a common risk: the…