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This content is from an educational collaboration by WebMD Editorial and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.
Cough Medicine Abuse
Brendan's Story
- Go to any market. It’s right on the shelf. Kids guzzle it down during school.
- It's in the medicine cabinet at home. Kids take it when they're sick. What's wrong with a little bit more?
- Like, they just didn't know I was going to use such a common item to get high.
- My parents, they didn't have a clue.
Teen Slang for Cough Medicine Abuse
Have You Heard These Words?
Robo. Dex. Tussin. Triple Cs. Skittles. Red Hots. All are common slang for cough and cold medicines with dextromethorphan, which some teens take to get high.
DXM & Dextromethorphan: What Parents Should Know
Teens & DXM Abuse: The Dangers
1 in 10 teens has abused cough medicine to get high. What are the risks?
Warning Signs of DXM Abuse
Would you know if your teen was abusing drugs? Here are 9 warning signs.
Teen Drug Abuse: In Their Own Words
Kristen's Story of Addiction: Sippin' Cough Syrup
I knew about cough medicine from TV, so I got a bottle out of our medicine cabinet and I drank, like, the whole bottle. It was like being really, really drunk. ...
I knew about cough medicine from TV, so I got a bottle out of our medicine cabinet and I drank, like, the whole bottle. It was like being really, really drunk. ...
Drug Abuse Prevention Starts at Home
Cough Medicine Abuse: A Checklist for Parents
You can help protect your teen from DXM abuse. Start with this checklist. Follow these simple 8 steps to prevent cough medicine abuse at home.
You can help protect your teen from DXM abuse. Start with this checklist. Follow these simple 8 steps to prevent cough medicine abuse at home.
4 Ways to Deal With Pressure to Do Drugs
Teens: Take a Stand on Drugs
The truth? Most teens don't use drugs. If you've decided not to do drugs, you're in the majority. Here are some tips to make your life easier.
The truth? Most teens don't use drugs. If you've decided not to do drugs, you're in the majority. Here are some tips to make your life easier.
Make Smart Decisions: This Tool Can Help
If your teen is put into a risky situation, how can he or she get out of it? This tool presents options. Go over them with your teen.
If your teen is put into a risky situation, how can he or she get out of it? This tool presents options. Go over them with your teen.
Resist Drug Abuse Pressure: Role Plays for Teens and Parents
Teens are under a lot of pressure to use drugs. Look over these 4 common scenarios. Talk together about what your teen could say.
Teens are under a lot of pressure to use drugs. Look over these 4 common scenarios. Talk together about what your teen could say.
Talk About Drugs: 5 Teachable Moments
Did your brother get drunk at a family party? Did your favorite celeb check into rehab? Use these instances to talk with your teen about drugs — often.
Did your brother get drunk at a family party? Did your favorite celeb check into rehab? Use these instances to talk with your teen about drugs — often.
Teen Behavior Problems: Warning Signs and Tips
5 Teen Behavior Problems: Tips for Parents
Is your teenager rebelling, defying your curfew, or hanging out with questionable kids? Here's how to nip behavior problems in the bud.
Is your teenager rebelling, defying your curfew, or hanging out with questionable kids? Here's how to nip behavior problems in the bud.
Learn more about this new educational icon appearing on over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan
