How safe are Nose Drops for Congestion?

Hi I have always "heard" people say that "nose drops" are terrible for you. After watching my husband for years "Over use" nose drops meaning; way over the amount on the container and never stopping. The container reads: Extra Strength nose drops by equa line. nasal decongestant phenylephrine HCI 1.0% fast relief from nasal congestion. On the back it reads; When using this product DO NOT exceed the recommended dosage. Don not use for more then 3 days. Frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to come back or get worse. Now the problem is, he has used this product for over 3-4 years NON STOP, I cannot get him to stop. When I bring it up he gets very angry and blames it on the indoor cat, now he is including my two tiny indoor chihuahuas' I am not saying this is not possible, but, he has NEVER gone to a Dr. to be diagnosed. What is your recommendation for him to clear up his allergies without the use of harmful nose drops? My husband became so plugged up while shopping we had to come home to get his nose drops. The animals are not with us when we are out. Do you think he is staying congested due to the over use, or is there a possibility he is allergic? Please help me. I would really appreciate your input,
Thanks
Sofea

[Ihatepalps2]

hi! Im no doctor..but I have been addicted to nasal spray. Specifically Afrin. The wonder drug of all! It really works! I started years ago, when I had a bad cold. I get almost claustrophobic, when I have a stuffed up nose. Really irritates me that I get that way! Well, used Afrin, at my drs recommendation...and used it..and used it ... long past the time it says on the bottle. I finally did get myself off, but every time I have a cold now, I immediatly get plugged up-and always always it goes into my sinuses. I blame that on the over use of Afrin. My dr helped me get off it once--he prescribed some sort of nasal spray that was not addicting-and it didnt work immediatly. So as I was using that, I was actually going thru "withdrawl (withdrawal)"--my nose plugged solid, both sides--I couldnt sleep...eat..anything--and I wantd to grab and use my Afrin SO bad...but I didnt..that took about 4 days ...and slowly my sinus passages cleared...and I was off the Afrin.
But..the next time I got a cold...right into the sinus it went again...
and now...I am back to using Afrin once a day, or sometimes I will stretch it to once every couple days.... but the bad thing is, the more I use it, the more I need. When Im in the middle of a bad cold/sinus infection, I might need to use it 3-4 times a DAY.
So..to me, it sounds like hes relying on it now...in that bad cycle of needing it. Maybe not...but I sure know what its like!