Cough Medicine Abuse

• DXM acts on the same brain cell receptors as hallucinogenic drugs like ketamine or PCP [3]. Cough syrup that contains Dextromethorphan or DMX causes an altered mental state. People who are high on DXM may have an altered perception of reality, poor judgment, hallucinations, dizziness, visual changes, lack of coordination, and visual changes. In this situation, riding a bike, driving, or just crossing the street can be dangerous.
• Dextromethorphan or DMX causes side effects such as nausea, vomiting, panic attacks, seizures, pounding heartbeat, high blood pressure, slurred speech, and even death if abused with alcohol or other drugs.
• DMX is also available in pure powder form. It is hard to take enough cough and cold medicine to get high without vomiting. People are getting around this by taking pure DXM in powder form. Pure DXM is available as a street drug or on the Internet. There are also websites that tell people how to extract DXM from over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
• DMX may lead to psychosis. Long-term abuse of cough syrup containing DXM may cause a mental illness called chemical psychosis. In chemical psychosis, a person abusing this drug loses contact with reality and may need hospitalization and medical treatment.
• DMX combined with other drugs intensifies its effects. People often combine DXM with other drugs, including alcohol, which raises the dangers. What’s more, OTC cold and cough products often contain other drugs, such as decongestants, antihistamines, and acetaminophen. These drugs can all be dangerous in very large doses. Dangers include stroke, heart attack, and liver damage.

Side effects from DXM Abuse

• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Double or blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Impaired physical coordination
• Rapid heartbeat
• Drowsiness
• Numbness of fingers and toes
• Disorientation

Dangers of Cough Medicine (Promethazine-Codeine) Abuse

There are generally two ways in which the use of cough syrup containing codeine can lead to addiction: by using cough syrup recreationally and by using cough syrup for longer and in greater quantities than advised. As with all opioids, codeine is habit-forming. Its use over time can lead to dependence and addiction.

Addiction is, technically, a disease of the brain’s reward system in which an individual engaging in a certain behavior becomes compelled to repeat that behavior, regardless of the awareness of any negative outcomes of doing so. In the case of cough syrup abuse, that behavior is the misuse of cough syrup and the experience of its effects.

Dependence is a physiological phenomenon in which the system of someone consuming a specific substance over time becomes used to certain levels of that substance and comes to require it in order to function normally.

In the case of codeine-based cough syrup, the brain and central nervous system (CNS) of a dependent person need the presence of codeine in order to perform their usual functions, and the absence of this drug will trigger abnormal functioning in the form of numerous potentially dangerous and distressing withdrawal symptoms.

Someone consuming codeine-based cough medicine to treat a cough, who disregards and ignores instructions concerning dosages and the period of time they should take the syrup, risk developing dependence on codeine after a while because of the constant presence of the substance in their system.

Anyone using codeine-based cough syrup recreationally for the euphoric effects created by the codeine is likely to consume much greater quantities of the syrup than recommended for normal use and may mix it with alcoholic drinks to increase those effects. Such consumption constitutes abuse, and if this abuse is repeated regularly over a period of time, dependence is likely to result.

Street Names for Codeine in Cough Syrup

Cough Medicine Abuse & Addiction Signs & Symptoms

Effects Cough Syrup Withdrawal

Cough syrup withdrawal generally lasts between one and two weeks, with acute withdrawal peaking after two or three days and lasting up to a week. In some situations, the affected person will go on to develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome, with symptoms lasting months or even years. Treatment from a specialist is usually required in such cases.

Some of the most common symptoms of cough medicine withdrawal include:

• Cravings for the drug
• Runny nose
• intense sweating
• Chills
• Goosebumps
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Spasms of the muscles
• Agitation and irritability
• Psychosis
• Suicidal thoughts
• Homicidal thoughts
• Racing thoughts
• Hallucinations

Is Cough Medicine Addiction Treatment Necessary?

Because of the side effects of DXM, and codeine-based cough syrup withdrawal, some people give up and go back to using it. Moreover, withdrawal symptoms from cough syrup addiction can last up to 30 days. For these reasons, entering a prescription drug addiction treatment center can help you achieve and maintain recovery.

Treatment for cough syrup abuse and addiction often begins with detox. The safest and most effective way to detox is in an inpatient prescription drug addiction treatment center. Inpatient facilities like We Level Up NJ will help you through the mental and physical struggles of addiction to prescription drugs like cough medicine.