Today’s war on drugs is completely different than what it was when we were growing up. Marijuana, cocaine and heroin were just about the worst of our troubles some years ago, but today it appears that unconventional substances have taken the spotlight.
Shockingly, cough syrup has become somewhat of a fad amongst teens. Most parents are unaware of these unconventional substances and their abuse potential. Thus, we explore adolescent cough syrup abuse: what parents should know.
Unconventional Substances Rising In Popularity
When you consider the presence of substance abuse in American teens, remember that these individuals are still young, shy and generally just trying to find a place in the world. Fitting in is, for many thousands of teens, the only goal. This battle is often associated with stress, anxiety, depression, anger and a general lack of self-confidence. Consider the average teenager, and then ask yourself: would these teens be more likely to attempt to score drugs from a dealer on the street, or engage in the less daunting task of finding something to get high on around the house?
Today’s kids are abusing things like hand sanitizer and the gas from air conditioning units called “Freon.” Hand sanitizer is being used because of its alcohol content. Even nutmeg has been recently called into question. The household spice, in large amounts, can be highly toxic and dangerous to teens seeking the euphoric sensation it can provide.
Dangers of Cough Syrup Abuse
According to recent research conducted by the University of Michigan, over 5% of high school teens have abused cough medicine. Physicians and educators worry of the heavy risks involved in such substance abuse, and many are working quickly to educate communities on adolescent cough syrup, and what parents should know.
Facts About Cough Syrup and General Adolescent Addiction
1. Teens abuse drugs and alcohol to escape unwanted feelings. This might be depression, or merely a desire to fit in.
2. Certain states require ID or the presence of a parent to obtain over-the-counter cough syrups, but many cough/cold medicines are available to the general public or already exist in the home. It is commonly found that teens obtain these substances from a family member or friend.
3. By ingesting anywhere between 10-75 times the recommended dose of cough syrup (up to a full 8 ounces), an abuser can expect some of the following phenomena to occur:
-Distorted visual perception
-Scary hallucinations
-Loss of motor skills
-Nausea/vomiting
-Increased heart rate/blood pressure
4. Excessive consumption of cough medicine can be life-threatening and are highly addictive.
More Focus on Education Less On Punishment
If you suspect any kind of substance abuse amongst teenagers in your home, use calm and sensible communication to broach the subject. Utilize factual information and educational resources to address the problem, and veer away from punishment only.
Remember that there are always underlying issues to any substance abuse problem. Work towards discovering these and helping your teen, as opposed to solely punishing him/her, as this may push your child further away from you.
Above all, educate your kids on the dangers of drug and addiction early enough to prevent use in the first place. Be honest about what drugs are, their effects and what happens when a person becomes addicted. Let your kids ask questions. Keep an open line in the home to talk about the subject and practice ways that they can say no.
In addition ensure your school has an effective drug prevention program, done annually. For more information on this topic or addiction contact one of our Narconon centers today at 800-468-6933.