If you are like many Americans, you consume a prescription drug or drugs of some kind daily.
Just doing what the doctor recommended – right?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription drugs are commonly linked to drugged driving car accidents.
Add alcohol to some of these prescription drugs – and the chance of a fatal crash jumps even higher.
Which class of drugs are most often to blame?
Psychotropic drugs – those that directly impact mental processes and are used to treat anxiety, depression, and sleep problems – are some of the biggest culprits. Another class – opiate pain killers.
If you are taking any of the drugs on this list – beware:
• Antidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, etc.)
• Benzodiazepines (a class of drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and more – Xanax, Valium, etc.)
• Prescription painkillers (Oxycontin, Vicoden, etc.)
• ADHD drugs (like Ritalin, Adderall, etc.)
Did you know that taking any of the drugs listed above can double or triple the effect of alcohol – giving one beer the impact of two or three? Another scary fact – 18% of drivers fatally injured in car accidents test positive for more than one drug.
So, what does all this mean for you?
If you take medications – even OTC allergy drugs – use extreme care when operating machinery of any kind. And don't drive if the effect of the medicines you're taking impair you in any way. Make sure you fully understand the side effects of each medication you're taking as well as the impact of combined drugs.
And never add alcohol to the mix.
If you or a loved one are ever in a car accident in Connecticut, know that the Connecticut car accident lawyers at RisCassi & Davis have been assisting people like you who've been injured in these accidents for over 60 years. And we have received both state and national recognition for our work in this area. If you are ever injured in an accident of any kind and would like a free consultation with one of our Connecticut injury lawyers, please contact us. There is no obligation.