Teen Drug Abuse - Over the Counter Substances
Within recent years teens have shown increasing involvement with the easily available and relatively inexpensive non- prescription medications such as cough medicines, antihistamines and cold remedies. Nyquil is particularly popular because of its alcohol content.
Cough suppressants containing alcohol are also used with considerable frequency. Some teens make substantial use of the antihistamines to obtain the desired drowsy effects associated with these products. Because these over the counter products do not require a prescription the abusable substances contained in them are present in relatively small quantities. To obtain an adequate "high" therefore, many teenagers will shoplift large quantities of them and consume as much as possible to experience the intoxicating effects.
Over the counter products have a special appeal to youngsters who live in areas where street dealers are difficult to locate and whose available funds may be too limited to purchase the more traditional illegal substances.The signs of abuse are essentially the same as with the illegal street drugs and legally available prescription drugs and alcohol and must be taken just as seriously. Abuse of these products is just as dangerous and the effects just as serious as with the other above noted substances. When detected proper diagnosis and treatment must follow and strict home and school supervision needs to be initiated. Once the extent of use has been determined to be excessive, appropriate detoxification may be necessary and placement outside the home becomes a consideration.
Overdosing on these products is quite possible with a determined youngster and hospital emergency room visits are not uncommon. Medical personnel in these settings need to be aware of the signs of over the counter substance abuse and not hesitate to inform parents of available treatment resources in the community. They are uniquely positioned to make a judicious referral immediately in response to this very dangerous situation.
Frequently, abuse of over the counter products predicts the beginning of more serious substance abuse involvement. Thus it is incumbent on parents and other caretakers to respond with determination and concern lest more profound and destructive activity develop.
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