Cough Syrup, Cough Medicine Abuse, Addiction

While many parents are learning about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, one over-the-counter medication, used for treating coughs, is rapidly becoming a favorite in middle school and high school for getting high.

Ever find any empty bottles of cough syrup in your teen’s room?

What about empty blister packs of Coricidin® or Triaminic®?

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia warns that this is a clear indication that your teen is “robotripping‘.

What in the world is ‘robotripping“?

“Robotripping” is drinking a bottle of cough syrup at once or popping hands full of cough suppressant pills. Why on earth would they do that? Because they get high.

Cough medicine- to get high? Yes. High. Some temporarily lose their ability to walk. Some have written stories on the Internet: “I felt my soul being ripped from my body,” and, “Are you a vampire? No, I just met God.”

More than 125 commercial cough remedies in the United States contain the synthetic drug dextromethorphan (DXM). This drug is similar to morphine, and when used as directed, can effectively help one with a cold. But abused, as 1 in 10 teens admit to doing, is a central nervous system depressant.

Mary Rieser, Director of The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia, states, “DXM can be very dangerous if abused, especially if mixed with other drugs. It is used by many teens in the danceclub or ‘rave’ scene. If taken frequently, it is addictive, and many of our callers stated that once addicted, they had a hard time walking by the medicine counters in grocery stores, the cravings for it are so great.’

Poison control experts point to a four-fold increase in abuse cases since 2000, known as “robo-dosing” or “robo-tripping” or taking , sometimes called “skittles” (because of an appearance similar to the popular fruit candy).

The DEA is monitoring abuse of DXM, and the drug could be added to the Controlled Substances Act if warranted. as thousands of emergency room doctors have reported overdoses on DXM.

“Drug addiction can occur with many prescription and over the counter medications,” continues Ms. Rieser. “Keep track of medications, stored in the medicine cabinet, and monitor your child’s behavior. DXM drug addiction can occur at any age, regardless of background or education level. Talk to your children about drug abuse, not just illegal street drugs, but also prescription drugs and over the counter drugs. Monitor your child’s internet use, as many sites even tell you how much DXM to take according to your weight. Don’t let someone get drug addicted.”