|
Many parents do not realize that their own medicine cabinet
can be a source of a variety of drugs for abuse.
You may not know what pharming is, but your teenagers do.
Your first step in helping protect your teens is to speak
the same language. Knowing the vocabulary surrounding prescription
drug abuse can help you take a proactive approach in communicating
with your teen and safeguarding their health and safety.
Teenagers turn to prescription drugs because they perceive
them as less dangerous than illegal drugs. Because of this,
teenage prescription drug abuse is on the rise.
In conversations with your teen about drugs, be sure to include
prescription drug abuse and why it's harmful. Tell them that
taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs without
a doctor's approval and supervision can be a dangerous—even
deadly—decision. Dispel the myth that these drugs are
less harmful than street drugs because they are available
through a doctor or at the local drug store.
The Language of Prescription Drug Abuse
Big boys, cotton, kicker
Various slang for prescription pain relievers.
Chill pills, french fries, tranqs
Various slang for prescription sedatives and tranquilizers.
"Pharming" (pronounced "farming")
From the word pharmaceutical. It means kids getting high by
raiding their parents' medicine cabinets for prescription
drugs to get high.
"Pharm parties"
Parties where teens bring prescription drugs from home, mix
them together into a big bowl (see 'trail mix'), and grab
a handful. Not surprisingly, pharm parties are usually arranged
while parents are out.
"Bowling parties"
Like "pharming" - mixing medications and taking
them randomly.
"Happy Little Pill Time"
Sharing and taking these substances on the way to school.
OTC
Over the counter medications (cough and cold medicines, pills
or liquids, for example)
DXM
Dextromethorphan is the active ingredient in over 100 drug
products, including cough medicine.
"Robo-tripping ", "Robo-fizzing" ,
Skittling, Dex-ing
Abuse of cough medicine
Smurfing-buying
Medications from more than one retail store
SLANG:
Pain Relievers
Oxycodone (Hillbilly Heroin)
Percocet (Percs)
Vicodin (Happy Pills, Vikes)
Depressants
Benzodiasepines (Candy, Downers, Sleeping Pills, Tranks)
Xanax (Totem Poles)
Barbiturates (Barbs, Reds, Blue Birds, Phennies, Yellow Jackets,
Tooties)
Stimulants
Ritalin (Kiddy Cocaine, Vitamin R, West Coast)
Amphetamines (Bennies, Crosses, Black Beauties, Hearts, Speed,
LA Turnaround, Truck Drivers, Uppers)
Cough Medicine
Triple_C, CCC, Dex, Skittles, DXM, Syrup, Tussin
We at Inspirations understand the unique challenges
of being a parent. If you have any questions, please know
that we are here to provide you with support and guidance,
24 hours a day, seven days a week. We welcome the opportunity
to answer your questions free of charge about teen behavior,
substance use, adolescent addiction, teen drug rehab, or other
related matters. If you would prefer, please fill out
our short form and one of our counselors will respond.
Toll free teen treatment center helpline: 1-888-387-6237 or
e-mail
us. |
•
