Cough Medicine Drug Addiction – The New Generation of Drug Abuse

Medicine.

Something you take when you are sick. Something designed to make you well. Something given to you by a doctor so you can get better.

As the cold and flu season approaches, one medication used to combat cold and flu symptoms is also abused heavily by the youngsters ‘in the know’.

It is a medication you don’t need a prescription for: Dextromethorphan, or DXM for short.

Also known as CCC, Triple C, Skittles, Robo, and Poor Man’s PCP, this drug is found in hundreds of over-the-counter cold medications found in any grocery store or drug store.

“There is a growing trend on our younger generation to chug cough syrup to get high,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Drug addiction does not just about getting addicted to heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. It also means getting drug addicted to medicines, whether prescription medications such as OxyContin or Valium, or over-the-counter meds such as Coricidin or Robitussin.”

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant commonly found in cold medications. DXM is often abused in high doses by adolescents to generate euphoria and visual and auditory hallucinations. Illicit use of DXM is referred to on the street as "Robo-tripping" or "skittling." These terms are derived from the most commonly abused products, Robitussin and Coricidin.

DXM is abused by individuals of all ages but its abuse by teenagers and young adults is of particular concern. This abuse is fueled by DXM’s OTC availability and extensive "how to" abuse information on various web sites. The sale of the powdered form of DXM over the Internet poses additional risks due to the uncertainty of composition and dose.

DXM abusers report a heightened sense of perceptual awareness, altered time perception, and visual hallucinations. The typical clinical presentation of DXM intoxication involves hyperexcitability, lethargy, ataxia, slurred speech, sweating, hypertension, and/or nystagmus. Abuse of combination DXM products also results in health complications from the other active ingredient(s), which include increased blood pressure from pseudoephedrine, potential delayed liver damage from acetaminophen, and central nervous system toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity and anticholinergic toxicity from antihistamines. The use of high doses of DXM in combination with alcohol or other drugs is particularly dangerous and deaths have been reported.

Approximately 5-10% of Caucasians are poor DXM metabolizers which increases their risk for overdoses and deaths. DXM should not be taken with antidepressants due to the risk of inducing a life threatening  syndrome.

DXM abuse has traditionally been with the OTC liquid cough preparations. More recently, abuse of tablet and gel capsule preparations has increased. DXM powder sold over the Internet is also a source of DXM for abuse. DXM is also distributed in illicitly manufactured tablets containing only DXM or mixed with other illicit drugs such as ecstasy and/or methamphetamine.

DXM is neither a controlled substance nor a regulated chemical under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The CSA specifically excluded DXM from any of the schedules in 1970 because of a lack of significant opiate-like abuse potential [21 USC 811(g) (2)]. However the CSA provided that DXM could in the future be added to the CSA through the traditional scheduling process if warranted. DEA is currently reviewing DXM for possible control.

*Source: USDOJ.gov

At Narconon Drug Rehab, we have first hand accounts from clients who abused this drug in the past. One reported that Coricidin (the most popular drug containing DSM) seemed to leap into his pocket when he was in the drug store. Another told a staff member that he has never quite returned to normal after his extensive abuse of the drug. The theft of drugs containing DXM is at an all time high.

It is sometimes difficult to tell if someone is abusing an over-the-counter medication containing DXM. Unlike heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, it is difficult to test.  Be alert if the person is acting stoned but there is no tell-tale smell. This is a key sign.

Other symptoms are:
• Dilated pupils
• Confusion
• Slurred Speech
• Dizziness
• Loss of coordination

While Coricidin is the most popular of the abused over-the-counter-medications, DXM is found in over 140 products. Look for those products that say "DM" or "Tuss".

Don't leave it to law enforcement to solve this problem. Drugs with DXM can be bought and consumed in large amounts without any laws being broken. Be alert for theft when you are in a drug store with an abuser or if you work in a retail facility that sells cold medication.
The best defense against this drug is education. The dangers are real and probably unknown to any would-be- user. This is one of the most dangerous ways to get high and unfortunately the most available. Anyone about to take this stuff for fun needs to know it could kill them.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment or drug education.

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