Are You an Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drug Abuser?

(The Subtle Forms of Addiction...)

There are countless articles available online about the dangers of abusing over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The society we live in focuses on man-made substances to counteract the symptoms of common illnesses. It's very easy to misinterpret the labels on these medications. But in most cases, these blunders are not life-threatening; the chemicals in these drugs are not powerful enough to cause any major damage with the occasional misstep. It isn't so much the drugs themselves, but the attitude that many consumers have regarding their medications. But drug abuse (and addiction) can occur on smaller levels when many are unaware that they have developed some harmful habits.

Sleep Aids

They might seem risk-free. But the habit of consuming "non-habit-forming" sleep aids could potentially sneak up on you. You may become so accustomed to the pleasant sleepy sensation, that you'll begin to associate bedtime with these medications. Web sites like www.sleep-aid-solutions.com have confirmed that even the mildest OTC sleep enhancers can pose serious threats to the body. Most OTC sleep-inducing medicines work by reducing the amount of histamine the body produces. (Histamine promotes wakefulness.) They do not contain benzodiazepine, which is a highly addictive chemical that targets the central nervous system. Nonetheless, the drug makers themselves indicate that OTC medicines should be used for the "occasional" bout of sleeplessness. A medical study in 2006 revealed that 21.4% of the adult population relied on OTC sleep-inducing drugs for problems related to insomnia related issues. Since antihistamine-filled sleep aids can provoke fatigue, headaches, and other maladies,a self-imposed dependence on these medicines can only cause more harm than good.

Nasal Decongestants