Medicine Abuse

Medicine abuse is the use of drugs that can be prescribed to you by a doctor or bought at pharmacies, but used at high levels. The most known abused drug is Dextromethorphan, a safe and effective active ingredient found in many prescription and nonprescription cough medicines, including syrups, tablets, and gel caps. If used as directed, Dextromethorphan has little side effects and is well known for its safety. When used in high amounts, it can cause a "high" feeling. The effects of an overdose on Dextromethorphan cause effects that include confusion, dizziness, doubled or blurred vission, slurred speech, loss of physical coordination, abnormal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart beat, and numbness of toes and fingers.

37% of teens today say they have close friends who have abuse prescription painkillers like Vicodin, OxyContin, and Tylox. 29% say the same about prescription stimulants Ritalin and Adderall. Teens who abuse or have abused medicine are, more often then not, likely to report abusing drugs such as Marijuana and Ecstacy.