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Addiction and Substance Abuse

Anxious parent

07/14/2003

Question:

What are the most commonly abused substances among teenagers?

Answer:

Hello,

Teenagers are using many of the same drugs as they have in the past, including alcohol and marijuana being the most often abused. However, due to the increased purity and strength of heroin currently on the streets, this drug is now being used a lot by teenagers by snorting through the nose. Also being abused are over-the-counter cough syrups and cold medications. Dextromophorphan is in the over-the-counter cough meds, and teenagers will drink it by the bottle and use it with other substances like Coricidin (cold med) to boost the effect. Dextromophorphan can cause serious problems including hallucinations and seizures and can act like PCP or Ketimine. To see the latest statistics for teenagers, please go to www.nida.nih.gov/infofax/HSYouthtrends.html. From this site there are many links to other sites looking at teenage drug abuse/addiction.

Related Resources:

High School and Youth Trends

For more information:

Go to the Addiction and Substance Abuse health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Edna M Jones, MD, MRO Edna M Jones, MD, MRO
Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University