What Parents Need to Know about OTC Drugs

Warning Signs of OTC Drug Use

Most Commonly Used OTC Drugs

How to Talk to Your Teen about OTC Drugs

Why Parents Have Turned a Blind Eye

Where Parents Can Go for Help

Misconceptions about OTC Drug Use

OTC Medications and Addictions

Trends in Teen OTC Drug Use

Pharm Parties: Fact or Fiction?

Which are More Popular - OTC or Street Drugs?

A Changing Teen Drug Culture

Why Teens Have Transitioned From Street Drugs to Prescription Drugs

Lethal Combinations of OTC Medications

What about Expired Drugs?

Self Medicating with OTC Drugs

Hospital Admissions for Drugs

The Appeal of Cough Medicine

Dangers and Effects of Herbal Drugs

Driving Under the Influence of OTC Drugs

Dangers of Inhalants

OTC Drug Abuse in Athletes

Reading and Understanding OTC Drug Labels

Knowing the Right Dose of Medications for Children

Types of OTC Drugs Interactions

Over The Counter and Prescription Drug Glossary

Site Map

Teen Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse
Although the percentage of teens using illegal drugs is down, the number of teens abusing prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs has reached record highs.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/index.html

What Parents Need to Know About Teen OTC Drug Use
What parents need to know if they have a suspicion their teen is experimenting with over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/what-parents-need-to-know-about-otc-drug-use.html

Warning Signs of Teen OTC Drug Use
Learn about the warning signs of teen over the counter and prescription drug abuse.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/warning-signs-teen-otc-drug-use.html

Most Commonly Used OTC Drugs
One of the fastest growing types of drugs abused by teens today is over-the-counter (OTC) medications. These medications are readily available, inexpensive, and perceived by many teens to be perfectly safe.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/commonly-used-otc-drugs.html

How to Talk to Your Teen About OTC and Prescription Drug Abuse
Research shows that kids who hear about the risks of drugs from their parents are only about half as likely to use drugs as those children whose parent haven't introduced the topic.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-about-otc-drugs.html

Why Parents Turn a Blind Eye to Teenage OTC Drug Abuse
There are several reasons why many parents turn a blind eye to their child's use of OTC drugs.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/why-parents-ignore-teen-drug-abuse.html

Where Parents Can Turn When Their Teen Turns to Drugs
It's easy to feel overwhelmed with anger, fear, and guilt when you discover your teen is using drugs. And you may feel very alone. But there are many places that can help during this difficult time.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/help-for-parents.html

Misconceptions About OTC and Prescription Drug Use
Kids believe that because OTC drugs are legal and easily accessible, they are safe. Leearn more about the myths and facts of prescription drug use.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/myths-otc-drug-use.html

How To Help Teens Addicted to Over the Counter and Prescription Drugs
How can you tell the difference between abuse of an over the counter or prescription drug and addiction?
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/otc-abuse-vs-addiction.html

Trends in Teenage Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse
A rising trend in teen drug use today is the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription drugs.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/trends-teen-otc-drug-use.html

Teen Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse
With prescription medication rapidly becoming the substance of choice for many teenage drug users, concern is growing about pharm parties. Pharm parties are simply teens pooling whatever pills they have together to have a good time.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/pharm-parties.html

Which is Most Popular Among Teens: Street Drugs or OTC Drugs?
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs are becoming the new party drugs among teens, especially younger teens.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/more-popular-street-or-otc-drugs.html

A Changing Teen Drug Culture
What has changed in our society to make OTC medications the drug of choice for today's children?
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/changing-teen-drug-culture.html

Why Teens Have Transitioned From Street Drugs to Prescription Drugs
There is a growing trend in the transition from street drugs to prescription drug abuse in teenagers.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/teens-transistion-street-drugs-to-prescription-drugs.html

Lethal Combinations of Over the Counter and Prescription Medications
Over the counter medications can be lethal if misused, especially when combined with other OTC or prescription drugs.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/lethal-combinations-of-otc-drugs.html

Is it Dangerous to Take Expired Drugs?
Nothing magical happens the day after a medication's expiration date; the drug neither loses all of its potency nor becomes toxic to use. But to assure maximum efficacy, you should use most medications before the expiration date.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/expired-drug-danger.html

Teens Self Medicating with OTC Drugs
Like many adults, teens assume that because OTC medications are available without a prescription, they are harmless.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/self-medicating-otc-drugs.html

Hospital Admissions for Prescription and OTC Drug Abuse
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), an estimated 1,449,154 emergency room visits in the United States were made in 2005 involving drug misuse or abuse.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/hospital-admissions-otc-drug-overdose.html

The Appeal of Cough Medication Abuse
According to a recent survey performed by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, as many as one in 11 teens had abused cough medicines containing the active ingredient dextromethorphan, or DXM.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/appeal-of-cough-medications.html

The Dangers and Effects of Herbal Drugs
Just as the recreational use of over-the-counter and prescription drugs among teens is on the rise, there is also a growing trend toward teen use of herbal drugs for the psychedelic, stimulant, and euphoric effects they may cause.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/dangers-effects-herbal-drugs.html

Driving Under the Influence of OTC and Prescription Drugs
It is a criminal offense in all states to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs - even OTC medications - if there is evidence of impairment resulting from the use of the drug.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/driving-under-influence-otc-drugs.html

The Dangers of Inhalants
One of the most popular - and deadly - substances used by young teens today is inhalants. These are chemical vapors found in a variety of common household products.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/dangers-of-inhalants.html

Teen Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse
List of the most commonly over the counter and prescription drugs, listed by brand name, scientific name, and street, or slang, names.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/otc-prescription-drug-glossary.html

Wilderness Programs Treatment for Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse
Outdoor wilderness therapy is the process of removing troubled teens from their "emotional comfort zone" by asking them to live in a wilderness setting and is now recognized as one of the single most effective treatment solutions for teens struggling with substance abuse.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/wilderness-programs.html

Residential Treatment Programs for Teen OTC Drug Abuse and Prescription Drug Use
Residential treatment programs have a higher rate of success than outpatient treatments because the addicted teen is away from the environment that created the problem. A long period (six months to a year or so) of being chemically free while undergoing intensive therapy is especially beneficial to teens in recovery.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/residential-programs.html

Lone Star Expeditions Wilderness Therapy Program
Lone Star Expeditions is a therapeutic intervention in Texas that combines traditional therapy with a wilderness setting to engage students ages 13-17 in exploring their character in a safe, but challenging environment.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/lone-star-expeditions.html

Dextromethorphan or Cough Syrup Abuse
About seven percent of all drug-related emergency room visits in 2004 involved dextromethorphan, the hallucinogenic ingredient in cough syrups that teens use to get high.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/dextroamphetamine.html

Teen Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/barbiturate.html

Benzodiazepines Abuse
Today more people use benzodiazepines than any other drug family, and they account for almost one-third of all prescriptions. Xanax, Ativan and Valium are among the most well known and most popular.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/benzodiazepine.html

Hydrocodone - Vicodin® Abuse
Hydrocodone, or Vicodin®, abuse addiction is the most common reason given for admittance to drug rehabilitation centers.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/hydrocodone.html

OxyContin® and Oxycodone Abuse
Oxycodone is an extremely dangerous drug, and yet the federal government considers it one of the most widely abused drugs among teenagers today.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/oxycodone.html

Methylphenidate Abuse
Methylphenidate is a stimulant that acts on the central nervous system. It is a chemical cousin to cocaine, but not as strong.
http://www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com/methylphenidate.html

Abused OTC and Prescription Drugs Abbots Adderall ® Alepam ® Alodorm ® Aldosomnil ® Alprazolam Alurate ® Amytal ® Anexsia ® Attenta ® Barbies Barbiturates Barbs Benzodiazepines Ativan ® Biphetamine ® Blue Blues and Reds Bromazepam Brotizolam Butisol ® Calmepam ® Centrax ® Chlordiazepoxide Clonazepam Clorazepate Compendium ® Concerta ® Cough Syrup Creosedin ® Dalmadorm ® Dalmane ® Daytrana ® Demetrin ® Dexetrine ® Dextroamphetamines Dexotrostat ® Dilamet ® Diazepam DMX Dolls Dolorex Forte ® Double Trouble Downers Dormicum ® Dormonid ® Dormonoct ® Ducene ® Durazanil ® Endocet ® Endodan ® Ergocalm ® Estazolam Erimin ® Euhypnos ® Eunoctin ® Eurodin ® F66s Feenies Flormidal ® Flunitrazepam Flurazepam Focalin ® Gangster Pills Goof Balls Gorilla Pills Halcion ® Havlane ® Hillbilly Heroin Hycet ® Hydrocodones Hypnodorm ® Hypnotex ® Hypnovel ® Klonopin ® Lectopam ® Lendormin ® Lexatin ® Lexaurin ® Lexilium ® Lexomil ® Lexotan ® Lexotanil ® Librium ® Lillies Liquicet ® Loprazolam Loramet ® Lorazepam Lorcet ® Lorcet Plus ® Loretam ® Lormetazepam Lortab ® Lysanxia ® Magnacet ® Maxidone ® Mexican Yellows Metadate ® Methylin ® Midazolam Minias ® Murelax ® Narvox ® Nembies Nimetazepam Niravam ® Nitrazepam Noctam ® Noctamid ® Nocton ® Norco ® Norkotral ® Normison ® Normoc ® Novepam ® Novodorm ® OC Ocycocet ® OX Oxascand ® Oxazepam Oxy Oxycodone OxyCotin ® Pacisyn ® Pelson ® Penid ® Percocet ® oxycodone Percodan ® Percodan-Demi ® Phenos Phennies Pinks Pink Ladies Prazepam ProSom ® Pronoctan ® Rainbows Red Birds Red Devils Red Hearts Red Lillies Reds Remestan ® Remnos ® Restori ® Ritalin ® Ritalin ® LA Ritalin ® -SR Ritalina ® Rilatine ® Rivatril ® Rivotril ® Rohypnol ® Roxicet ® Roxicodone ® Roxiprin ® Rubifen ® Seccies Sedaben ® Seggies Serax ® Serepax ® Seresta ® Sobril ® Somalium ® Songar ® Sonin ® Somnovit ® Stagesic ® Stilaze ® Temazepam Temesta ® Tenox ® Tooies Transxene ® Transxene SD ® Transxene Half-Strength SD ® Triazolam Triazulenone Tussionex ® ® Tylox ® Valium ® Versed ® Vicodin ® Vicodin ES ® Vicodin HP ® Xanax ® Xodol ® Yellow Jackets Zydone ®

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Wilderness Programs

Parents who are struggling with their teen often find that change is difficult as long as the child remains in the home environment. Influences outside the home impact behavior, often more than the family does. Young adults struggling with substance abuse issues can also find the pressures and influences of their daily environment make it difficult to develop healthy coping skills.

Outdoor wilderness therapy is the process of removing troubled teens from their "emotional comfort zone" by asking them to live in a wilderness setting and is now recognized as one of the single most effective treatment solutions for teens struggling with substance abuse.

Learn more about wilderness programs

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Residential Programs

Residential treatment programs have a higher rate of success than outpatient treatments because the addicted teen is away from the environment that created the problem. A long period (six months to a year or so) of being chemically free while undergoing intensive therapy is especially beneficial to teens in recovery.

Licensed therapists who specialize in addiction treatment will teach teens in recovery the necessary skills to cope with cravings and to understand what "triggers" a relapse. Most teens with addictions have other underlying problems such as learning disabilities or depression that the residential treatment staff will address those issues too. Residential treatment programs typically offer an aftercare program to help parents keep their child on track after he or she leaves the sheltered environment of a residential facility.

Learn more about residential treatment programs

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Lone Star Expeditions

Lone Star Expeditions is a therapeutic intervention in Texas that combines traditional therapy with a wilderness setting that specializes in helping adolescents who are experiencing personal family conflict due to substance use, low self-esteem, and negative peer relationships.

Learn more about Lone Star Expeditions