FAQs
Taking prescription drugs without a medical provider's approval and supervision can be a dangerous — even deadly — decision.
Parents can prevent teen drug abuse by setting clear expectations and communicating with their children early.
Following are some commonly asked questions that are submitted to TheAntiDrug.com about prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs. If you have questions that are not covered on this Web site, please contact us.
Q: My son said that his friends are "robotripping." Could you tell me what this is and if it is dangerous?
A: "Robotripping" is slang for the intentional abuse of Robitussin® cough syrup or any cold and flu pills that contains
dextromethorphan (DXM can produce a "high" feeling and can be extremely dangerous - even deadly - in excessive amounts). Many emergency rooms across
the United States are reporting increased numbers of teens who are abusing OTC cold and cough medicines. Robitussin®, Coricidin HBP®, Vicks NyQuil®,
and Vicks Formula 44® are the most common cold remedies abused because they are legal, easy to get, and inexpensive. Watch for the symptoms of abuse,
which include: sweating, high body temperature, dry mouth, blurred vision, hallucinations, delusions, nausea, stomach pains, vomiting, irregular heart
beat, high blood pressure, numbness in toes and fingers, red face, headache, and loss of consciousness.
Q: I've heard that you can buy prescription drugs on the Web without a prescription or without even seeing a doctor. Is this
true? How can I prevent my daughter from buying drugs online?
A: Unfortunately, anyone who has access to a computer and a credit card can likely buy prescription drugs online even if they
never see a doctor or get a prescription. "Pill mills" are Internet pharmacies that operate on the edge of the law, and in many cases, outside the
United States. It isn't hard for a teenager to access these online pharmacies and buy drugs they've heard about.
There are ways to prevent this. Talk to your kids about the dangers of prescription and OTC drug abuse. Be vigilant about your
child's online activities. Monitor the history of sites your kids visit on the Internet. Limit your teen's time online and set clear rules about which
Web sites and activities are not allowed. Limit and watch the purchases that your child is making with your credit card or with online accounts. Be
aware of all mail coming to your home. Remember, keeping communication open between you and your daughter is the best way to keep her safe.
Q: The middle school principal called me today to tell me that my son was caught "giving out" prescription drugs at school.
My son tells me that all his friends are using them. Help! Why do kids use these kinds of drugs?
A: People abuse drugs because drugs change the way they feel. For teens, life can seem stressful and demanding. Some teens are
bored and want to experiment. There is a mistaken belief that it's okay to "escape" these feelings through drug-taking behavior.
Whether it's alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs, teens may take whatever is available. Prescription drugs are a special risk because they are
so widely accessible for teens, Also, many teens think that taking a pill or over-the-counter medication from the local drugstore is less risky than
taking street drugs. This is myth. Abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is dangerous and can be lethal. In addition, giving prescription
drugs to people who do not have a prescription and are not under a medical doctor's supervision is illegal and punishable by law.
Q: My son is on Concerta for ADD and he is dyslexic, and not performing well academically; I just found out he has been using pot for about a year, and am devastated. How does pot use interact with the ADD meds? How can I make it clear to him that drug use is not helping his problems?
A: See the expert’s response
Q: I am a father of three kids and am concerned that the new drug of choice is snorting Oxycodone and the like. Why is this so popular and what are the consequences and possibilities of long-term or even short-term complications?
A: See the expert’s response
Found out your teen is abusing Rx drugs?
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