Over The Counter Medication Addiction

Facing and dealing with substance misuse or addiction is not an easy undertaking. However, it is vital to your loved ones and your future wellbeing to simply talk to a Recovery Direct counsellor today about OTC addictions and rehabilitation options.

Addiction Treatment For (OTC) Medications

Over the counter medication (OTC) includes commonly available substances such as cough medicine, slimming tablets, motion sickness tablets and general diuretics. Recovery Direct offers a specialised treatment programme built on a long standing success in treating a broad variety of substance use disorder cases including over the counter medications.

Over the counter medications are as widely abused as they are available. Recovery Direct’s specialist multidisciplinary counsellors are here to help you.

Understanding OTC Addiction

The fact that you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) medication without prescription does not mean that these types of drugs can’t be deadly when abused in excess. While these drugs can be purchased in virtually any local store or shop without prescription, there is a common misconception that they are “safe” for everyone to use.

The most commonly abused OTC drug is DXM or “dextromethorphan” found in many cough, cold and flu medications. Other OTC medications include weight loss drugs such as laxatives, diuretics and diet pills. All of which can ultimately be fatal if over used or not used as intended.

Frequently Abused OTC Medications

Any inappropriate use outside of what is recommended is considered OTC drug abuse.

  • Motion sickness tablets (Dimenhydrinate)
  • Pain medication (Acetaminophen)
  • Cold medicine (Pseudoephedrine)
  • Cough medicine (DXM, or Dextromethorphan)

If someone you know is struggling with an over-the-counter drug problem, call us now for assistance.

OTC Drug Addiction

Over-the-counter (OTC) drug addiction can also alter the patient’s brain chemistry over long periods of abuse. As with most substances, tolerance builds and users require more of the substance to achieve the same or similar effects.

Withdrawal symptoms emerge when addicts stop using these medications. These symptoms differ from person to person but may include confusion, hostility, anxiety and mood changes.

Long-term recovery means breaking the cycle, developing life skills to handle cravings, avoiding relapses and using the tools to create a constructive path forward.

OTC Medication Abuse Treatment

People afflicted by OTC medication addictions have a number of treatments available to them. One on one counselling, group therapy, psychiatric counselling and other psychotherapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can all be effective in the treatment of over-the-counter medication addictions.[/su_box]

Treatment Methodology

Over the counter medication addiction treatment requires the assessment and management of all physical, emotional and psychological factors related to the addiction; rooting out underlying causes and establishing the best ways to counter these for each patient. Read more about the Recovery Direct treatment protocol here.

Recovery Direct Drug Rehab

View a full gallery of our addiction treatment facility for over the counter medications in Johannesburg, South Africa.OTC Therapy Centre in Johannesburg

Why Patients Choose Johannesburg Drug Rehab Clinics

Johannesburg is home to many of the best addiction treatment facilities in the world. With exceptionally well trained staff and highly effective treatment programmes for a broad range of substance and related addiction disorders. Contact our Johannesburg Centre today for more information about your treatment options.