Nearly 50% of the U.S. population uses at least one prescription drug. Prescription drugs, when used as prescribed by your doctor, can help alleviate symptoms from pain to mental health disorder symptoms and more. However, it’s important to recognize that taking prescription drugs can cause side effects like drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and more that can impact certain activities like driving. In this article, you’ll learn more about whether prescription drugs impair your ability to drive safely.
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Can Prescription Drugs Impact Your Driving?
So, can prescription drugs impair your ability to drive safely?
The answer is: it depends. This is because there are a broad range of factors, from the type of prescription drug you are taking to the dosage and more, that can impact your driving. Some medications may have certain physical or cognitive side effects like drowsiness that can impair your driving and make driving much more dangerous. Therefore, if you are concerned that your medication may impact your ability to drive safely, it’s essential you talk to your doctor about potential side effects.
5 Ways Prescription Drugs Can Impair Your Driving
While not all prescription drugs impair your ability to drive safely, some medications pose a potential threat as they can cause side effects that impact your driving.
Drowsiness
One of the common side effects that prescription drugs can have on your driving is you feel drowsy and tired behind the wheel. Driving safely requires your full attention and focus. Drowsiness can potentially put you in harm’s way when driving. Therefore, it’s important to follow your prescription drug instructions, use your medication appropriately, and talk with your doctor if you are concerned your medication could impact your ability to drive.
Dizziness
Dizziness is another side effect of some medications that should not be ignored when driving. Driving takes accuracy and precision to ensure you are driving safely. Dizziness can make it difficult to concentrate and see, which impacts your ability to drive.
Coordination Issues
Some medications overall may interfere with your coordination, which inevitably will impair your ability to drive. Driving requires your ability to navigate in and out of traffic, as well as go in different directions to get to your destination. If you are having trouble with your coordination, this can make driving difficult and dangerous.
Focus and Concentration Impairment
As mentioned previously above, focus and concentration are essential to drive safely. Some medications may interfere with your ability to fully focus on the road and your surroundings, which inevitably interferes with your ability to drive safely and navigate through traffic in a safe manner.
Potential Drug Combinations Can Amplify Impairment
Last but not least, taking prescription drugs in combination with other drugs, like alcohol, can amplify impairment. You should never drink and drive. You should also never abuse other drugs while driving, and this includes abusing prescription drugs. If you are misusing your medication, this can potentially amplify your impairment and increase your risk of getting in an accident while driving. This is why it’s critical to never drive when under the influence of drugs.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about whether prescription drugs impair your ability to drive safely. While some prescription drugs can impair your ability to drive safely, it’s important to understand that taking certain medications doesn’t mean you can’t drive. It’s crucial to talk to your doctor about potential side effects like drowsiness that could impact certain activities like driving.
At Pathways Recovery, we are here to help you receive the personalized care you need to overcome addiction and achieve long-lasting sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your road to recovery.
