Drug addiction isn’t always related to street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, or heroin. Drug abuse can also include common substances. Over the counter drug abuse refers to abuse of common medicines, including cough medication, painkillers, motion sickness or cold medication. These medicines are easily available, and individuals can also abuse them to reach a high.
Many of the most misused over-the-counter substances are items you probably have in your medicine cabinet.
Cough Medicines
Cough medicines contain a chemical called dextromethorphan, or DXM. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), extra strength cough syrups, gels, and capsules with DXM have a high risk of abuse.
Many people mix DXM with soda to add flavor, and many others inject it to get a faster high. DXM abuse commonly occurs alongside other substances, such as marijuana or alcohol.
Over the counter drug abuse with DXM can lead to intoxication, typically experienced with marijuana or alcohol. High doses can also cause hallucinations, anxiety, extreme panic, aggression, and hyper-excitation.
Cold Medicines
Common cold medication, such as Sudafed, contains a chemical called pseudoephedrine. It’s effective in treating symptoms of sinus congestion, hay fever, and nose blocks. Pseudoephedrine is also a stimulant like caffeine and can cause a high.
Overuse of this medicine can cause dizziness, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and seizures. Abuse of pseudoephedrine can also be fatal for people with certain health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
Pain Relievers
A large number of people have the habit of using OTC painkillers to treat headaches, joint pains, or knee injuries. Popular pain relievers sold over-the-counter, like Tylenol, contain acetaminophen. There are also other types of painkillers, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin.
Additionally, long-term abuse of such medication can cause serious liver damage. Other common side effects include sweating, diarrhea, nausea, or stomach upset.
Motion Sickness Pills
Many people take pills to prevent motion sickness. These pills contain dimenhydrinate, a chemical that is dangerous in high doses. Serious side effects of overuse include nausea, seizures, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, coma, and at times, death.
Why Choose Crestview Recovery as Your Over the Counter Drug Abuse Rehab Center
Crestview Recovery offers the best over the counter drug addiction rehab. Clients undergo customized treatment programs in a serene, natural setting. Also, our individual and group therapies combine with refreshing outdoor activities for a holistic approach to treatment.
Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon specializes in giving personalized and compassionate attention all through the rehab process.
The wide-ranging programs at this 30-bed facility include:
- Detox for drugs
- Intensive outpatient program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Trauma therapy
- Partial hospitalization program
- Family therapy program
- Aftercare
Let addiction be a thing of the past. When you’re ready to take your first step, call us at 866.262.0531 today to begin working toward an addiction-free life.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
