Over-The-Counter Drug Addiction

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A drug is a drug, and your body can't tell the difference between what's legal and what's not. If you abuse over the counter medications to get high, you are at risk for addiction.

High School Kids Get High on Cough Syrup

7% of high school kids in America today report having used Dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in many cough and cold medications, to get high. This easily available over the counter medication, when taken in far larger than recommended dosages, can induce feelings of intoxication and even strong hallucinatory affects.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Over the counter drugs containing Dextromethorphan have a low abuse potential (no drug with a high potential for abuse can be sold without a prescription) but when taken in very large quantities, and when taken with frequency, a physical and psychological dependence to the drug can occur. Frequent users can develop a very strong dependence to the drug, and can as well exhibit many harmful symptoms of their drug taking behaviors. For many, the only way to break free from an addiction to over the counter drugs is through participation in an over the counter drug treatment program.

Using information widely available on the internet as a drug taking resource, kids are incredibly savvy about what easily acquired drugs can induce potent intoxications, but although information about the possible dangers of over the counter drugs also exists, many consider over the counter medications a safe way to get high.