Teens Look for New Way to Get High: Mom and Dad’s Medicine Cabinet
Oct 30, 2012
As laws restricting alcohol, tobacco and drug use get tougher, teens are turning to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in their parents’ medicine cabinet to get high. The most commonly abused OTCs are cough medicines containing Dextromethorphan (DXM) and decongestants. Large amounts of DXM can induce ahallucinogenic high called “Robo-tripping.”
According to a study that looked at drug use in 7th to 12th graders in Cincinnati, teenage males showed an increased risk of longtime use of OTCs. Abuse of these drugs can cause poisoning, seizures, and psychological and physical conditions. High rates of use were documented among middle school students, and another study revealed that students were using the drugs because they are easy to obtain and legal. Students who participated in extra-curricular activities, such as sports, clubs, or church organizations, were less likely to report abusing OTCs. Parents are recommended to prev
Learn More: Prescription for Disaster: How Teens Abuse Medicine Presentation, Consequences of Drug Abuse, Signs of Drug Use
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Medical News Today