OTC Drug Rehabilitation

Many people are not even aware that a number of over the counter medications can potentially be abused to get high. Taking these OTC medications as directed can be advantageous, but high doses can cause serious problems. Taking more than the recommended dose can lead to some very serious side effects, and in some cases coma or death. It's important to educate yourself about these over the counter consumer products found right in your home - to know the facts about OTC products and their potential for abuse. Talk with family members about the proper use of all medications - including those available over the counter - and the health risks associated with their abuse, to avoid overdoses and the need for drug rehabilitation at a later date. OTC drugs are not thought of as being dangerous because over the counter medications are easily available to individuals of all ages. These OTC drugs include diet pills, motion sickness tablets and sleep aids and are sold as over-the-counter medicines at thousands of drug and grocery stores in the United States. They're easily accessible and inexpensive (compared to prescription drugs) but this does not mean that OTC drugs are safe. The Food and Drug administration (FDA) warns that OTC medications still have risks. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) further warn that some OTC medications that you might never have suspected can cause dangerous reactions when mixed with alcohol. Drug rehabilitation facilities have seen a dramatic increase in individuals seeking treatment from addiction to OTC drugs.

Some cold and sinus medications contain can be used in the manufacturing of meth. In purchasing these drugs, a person must show a form of identification, and can only purchase a limited amount of the OTC drugs in a specific time period to minimize the chances that the OTC drug can be used illegally or abused. Many over the counter medications are being abused by individuals who want to get high, and they are becoming dependent on these OTC drugs, and in turn seeking drug rehabilitation for these addictions .Some people mistakenly think that prescription drugs are more powerful and dangerous, but it is possible to abuse or become addicted to OTC medications, too. One type of product abused is OTC cough and cold remedies that contain dextromethorphan (DXM). DXM is found in over 100 OTC products, and is most commonly found in caplet and liquid form. A more recent and highly dangerous trend is that dextromethorphan can also be purchased in a bulk powder over the Internet. Some websites encourage DMX abuse and actually offer ideas for the best way to achieve a high. Depending on the dose, DXM's effects vary; misuse creates both depressant and mild hallucinogenic effects. If you consume large doses, it may cause impaired judgment and mental performance, loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea, hot flashes, dissociation, hallucinations and even death. High doses of these OTC drugs are extremely dangerous, especially when mixed with alcohol or other drugs, and can be deadly. Seeking drug rehabilitation for OTC addiction can eliminate the risks of these serious side effects. Another popular over the counter drug is diet pills like Dexatrim. Some individuals take more than the recommended dose to get an energy rush, others take them as directed to lose weight. The side effects for the OTC diet drugs include high blood pressure, heart palpitations and anxiety.

The bottom line concerning OTC drugs is this. Taken as directed, these over the counter medications can sometimes eliminate mild to moderate symptoms as in the case of the common cold or taking Dramamine for motion sickness. If an individual is taking these over the counter medications at more than the recommended dose, or mixing them with other substances to get high, that person or their loved ones, should seek out a for drug rehabilitation facility to recover from their addiction to OTC drugs.