One of the growing trends in adolescent drug use today is over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse. There are many reasons why teens choose to abuse over-the-counter medications. One of the main reasons is that pharmacies make it easier to obtain these products rather than illegal drugs. Additionally, these over-the-counter medications are often referred to as "safer" than illegal drugs. For the majority of teens, using over-the-counter drugs gives them a "buzz" or helps them stay awake while studying. Which isn't a problem in their minds, but any time an over-the-counter medication is taken for something other than what it was created for, or by taking a dose higher than the recommended dose, there is now abuse of this medication. . Over-the-counter drug abuse is beginning to play an increasingly important role in teen culture. Unfortunately, many of these teens don't realize that they are putting their well-being at risk when they abuse over-the-counter medications. Many over-the-counter medications are abused. The three most widely abused over-the-counter medications are dextromethorphan, painkillers, and diet pills. Dextromethorphan is an active medication found in more than a hundred over-the-counter sleeping pills such as Robitussin and NyQuil. One in ten teenagers abuse cough medicine to get high. Drugs mixed with dextromethorphan are easy to find, affordable and 100% legal. Getting your hands on this dangerous drug is often as simple as walking into the local pharmacy with a few dollars or rummaging through the medicine cabinet. And because it is found in over-the-counter medications, many teens naively assume that DXM cannot be harmful or dangerous to the body. Pain relievers are also the most commonly used over-the-counter medications. Typically mixed with acetaminophen, NSAIDs, ...... middle of paper ...... prior treatment factors. Continuity of care that includes a personalized treatment regimen – addressing all aspects of an individual's life, including medical and mental health services – and follow-up options (e.g., community-based recovery support systems or family) can be crucial to a person's recovery. success in achieving and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle. As Americans, we cannot watch over every person to prevent them from having an over-the-counter drug abuse problem, but we can take positive steps to assure them that it can and will be treated. Over-the-counter medication abuse is a serious problem and should not be taken lightly. Living in denial about addiction is what most Americans do because they believe that because they are over-the-counter drugs, they can be used at any time they feel the need. Over-the-counter drug abuse is a major problem, so strengthening the fight against this cause can save many lives..