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Q. We are at a stand-off with our son. During his 8-day visit over the holidays, he used 3 1/2 bottles (1.5 liters each) of Listerine. We are concerned because it contains alcohol.Our son went through detox treatment four years ago. He refuses to attend AA meetings where he lives. His other addiction is nicotine (in snuff).
He tells us he only rinses his mouth with Listerine after he finishes the snuff, but we have seen so many changes in his behavior (abusive language, attitudes, unsteady walk and speech) that we are convinced he must be ingesting the mouthwash.
Please write about repercussions from the misuse of Listerine.
A. No one could use more than 5 liters (5.5 quarts) of Listerine in eight days purely as a mouthwash. If your son followed the directions on the label to rinse with 2/3 of an ounce morning and night, one bottle should have lasted him over a month. The maker of Listerine states unequivocally, “Do not swallow.”
Listerine lists alcohol as an “inactive” ingredient (26.9 percent). It also contains eucalyptol, menthol, thymol and methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen). Methyl salicylate can be toxic if taken internally. Combined with the alcohol, it might account for the symptoms you observed.
Your son needs professional help. There are several prescription drugs to help overcome alcohol and nicotine addictions (ReVia or Campral for alcohol; Zyban or Chantix for nicotine).
I think you have reason to be concerned. Anything with any amount of alcohol should be avoided. My son is also a recovering alcoholic. All the behaviors you mentioned are definitely signs of abuse. It's a difficult situation for a parent, but I think he needs to be confronted, lovingly of course, so he knows he's not fooling anyone. As hard as it is, one of the things we need to remember is someone who uses becomes very good at deception. My prayers are with you.
As a recovering alcoholic, I rememeber the phase I went through when I ingested large amounts of Listerine (or generic). My insanity led me to believe that no one would smell it; they would only think I had good breath. Little did I know the stuff would come out my pores... and I developed horrible rashes on my arms, probably from the camphor or menthol. Trust me, drinking this stuff will only hurt you, and everyone will notice it, even if you think you're getting away with something.