Viral drug challenges on social media are a clear and present danger. Whether you’re a worried parent or someone who spends half their waking hours on TikTok—this is something you should know about. The ridiculous “Tide Pod challenge” that peaked in early 2018 seems almost quaint when you compare it to this stuff.
This Serenity at Bethany Sober Living article does a deep drive into viral drug challenges and the effect influencers are having on youth and drug culture.
OK, I’ll Bite, What Are Viral Drug Challenges?
Viral drug challenges are social media trends encouraging risky drug use behaviors for internet clout. These challenges glamorize substance misuse, pushing people— most often young and impressionable—to take dangerous risks that can lead to addiction, overdose, and serious health issues. Authorities, parents and educators are deeply worried about this trend as it’s already had serious and even fatal consequences, including several drug overdose deaths. The more you know about addictions and trends like this, the better. Knowledge is power.
3 Notable Viral Drug Challenges
The Benadryl Challenge
This challenge involved taking excessive amounts of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to induce hallucinations. If you’re thinking this one is harmless, think again. This viral drug challenge led to severe health risks, including hospitalizations and deaths due to overdoses.
- Platform: TikTok
- Timeframe: Gained traction in 2020, peaking around August–September 2020.
- Details: The FDA issued warnings in September 2020 after reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying from overdoses linked to the challenge.
- Casualties: In August 2020, a 15-year-old girl from Oklahoma died after overdosing on Benadryl as part of the TikTok Benadryl Challenge.
- Impact: TikTok responded by removing content and banning related hashtags, but the challenge still spread rapidly (that’s what viral means, after all)
Clonazepam “Tranquilizer Challenge”
This Tranquilizer Challenge involved taking large doses of Clonazepam, a prescription benzodiazepine. This one made more news headlines than most, in part because of how quickl
- Platform: Not explicitly tied to one platform, but reported as an online challenge, likely spread across social media like TikTok and YouTube.
- Timeframe: Reported in early 2023.
- Casualties: In one specific incident in Mexico in February 2023, 15 students required medical treatment after participating.
- Details:. Limited information exists on specific influencers or posts driving this trend due to rapid content moderation (thankfully!).
Dusting Challenge
The Dusting Challenge encouraged inhalant abuse. Inhaling computer dusting spray (aerosol products containing difluoroethane or similar chemicals) to get high is extremely dangerous. The challenge was linked to a death in the Phoenix area, highlighting the dangers of inhalant abuse.
- Platform: TikTok
- Timeframe: Reported in June 2025.
- Casualties: At least one teenager in Phoenix, AZ died as a direct result of participating in this viral challenge.
- Details: Known as “dusting,” this trend saw youths sniffing aerosol sprays for a quick high, unaware of risks like brain damage or sudden death from cardiac arrest. TikTok’s algorithm amplified videos showing or joking about the behavior before moderation efforts took effect.
OK…But What Do Viral Drug Challenges Have to Do with Sober Living?
We’re glad you asked! Serenity at Bethany is on a mission to not only provide the best recovery housing in New Jersey—-but also to raise awareness about addiction and drug abuse. We intend to use this platform to educate people about the benefits of a quality sober living program as well as substance use disorder treatment. But, we’re going to cast a wide net.
A Duty to Inform and Educate About Sober Living and Addiction
You never know who might need help out there and how aware they are of what addiction help is available in New Jersey. For all we know, a worried mama might have found this article in a Google search after she found 10 cans of computer duster in her son’s dorm room.
That may only be the tip of the iceberg. That kid just might need substance abuse treatment and a solid sober living home in NJ that’s got his back.
Carrying The Message is About More Than Carrying The Message
This may be the first contact his mom has had with the world of addiction recovery. If we can play even a small role in educating and informing people about how recovery saves lives—we want to do it.
After all, part of living recovery is carrying the message. The message of hope and a real solution for addiction —– but also the information people need to identify the signs of addiction and how to get help.
Serenity at Bethany: Sober Living Squared
Getting a safe, comfortable medical detox along with PHP and IOP drug treatment is just the beginning. Building a sane, sober life that can withstand the slings and arrows takes commitment. You’re going to want all the help you can get. That’s where sober living comes in.
Building enduring recovery is about more than understanding addiction and knowing what you should do. We also need practice. Putting what you learned into play in a real-world sober living environment is a great way to do it. Perhaps the best way, in fact.
Serenity at Bethany can help. The fertile ground you need for growing recovery is right here.
As always, if you have any questions you don’t find an answer for here, you’re welcome to call us at (732) 479-3607 or email info@serenityatbethany.com.
