Louisville parents are getting an urgent warning from local addiction specialists. Experts are seeing teen Benadryl overdoses almost every week, and many families have no idea it’s happening. If you’re searching for signs of addiction in a young person, this trend is one you can’t afford to miss.
Kentucky features hundreds of addiction options for parents and teens, but there’s still much work to do in The Bluegrass State to overcome substance misuse. The recent news in Louisville is a stark reminder that we’re all at-risk, especially vulnerable populations like kids.
A Near-Weekly Problem at a Louisville Recovery Center
Professionals at Seven Counties Services say cases involving teen Benadryl misuse have become a recurring part of their caseload over the past six months.
“Almost weekly, we will get a case where someone’s mentioning it,” noted Crystal Howard, Seven Counties’ adolescent substance abuse program supervisor.
Howard says teens are taking high doses of the over-the-counter allergy medication to get high. Some of these kids only reveal the behavior during therapy sessions, not to parents.
Howard pointed out that some adolescents may be seeing counselors for unrelated issues, and they just let it slip out. “They just disclose in the therapy session, ‘Oh, I took a bunch of Benadryl last week to try to get high,'” she relayed.
Benadryl Misuse and Signs of Addiction
Unlike prescription drugs or alcohol, Benadryl requires no ID to purchase and is sold at virtually every pharmacy and grocery store. Howard noted it’s inexpensive and easy to obtain; teens can even have it delivered to the house.
This accessibility is a major reason Louisville addiction treatment professionals are concerned. Teens with depression or other mental health struggles are especially vulnerable.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a common over-the-counter antihistamine used to treat allergies and sleep problems. At high doses, it can cause intense hallucinations, which some minors seek out deliberately. At toxic doses, it can cause hospitalization or death, including the death of a 13-year-old in Ohio linked to this trend.
Howard says parents should watch for these warning signs of a Benadryl overdose or misuse:
- Dilated pupils
- Flushed or red skin
- Disorientation or hallucinations
- Extreme drowsiness
- Very dry mouth and inability to urinate
- Absence of sweating
These signs differ from other drug overdoses, which can make them easy to miss or misattribute to illness.
Louisville Parents Can Act
Howard recommends that any parent who notices these symptoms or who has a teen showing signs of depression or suicidal thinking, take action quickly. She recommends getting teens a mental health assessment and evaluating addiction treatment options from there.
This trend isn’t limited to Benadryl. Howard said she has seen similar misuse with other over-the-counter allergy medications or even household inhalants as well. Reviewing what medications your teen has access to at home is a practical first step.
Addiction Treatment in Louisville and Kentucky
If you’re concerned about a teen’s substance use, early intervention matters. Addiction treatment centers in Louisville and across Kentucky offer adolescent-specific programs, mental health assessments, and family support services, including resources to meet basic needs and reduce everyday stress.
Simply browse through our directory for recovery centers located anywhere in the country. Or feel free to call
800-681-1058
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