Read along to find the information about the Dextromethorphan brand names, DXM abuse statistics, dangers of abuse, DXM and alcohol interactions, addiction treatment, and recovery process. Much of the public concern about DXM abuse centers on teens, some 4.6%2 of whom admitted to using cough syrup recreationally in a recent study. Its popularity among teens is generally connected to the fact that DXM is more accessible than alcohol or illicit drugs, but it would be a mistake to assume that only teens and young people are at risk. Put to its intended use as a cough suppressant, DXM should be used in directed doses only for the period recommended on the label or by a doctor.
Physical Effects Of DXM Addiction
Recreational users intentionally exceed recommended doses to experience heightened awareness, altered time perception, and visual hallucinations. In many documented casescitation needed, dextromethorphan has produced psychological dependence in people who used it recreationally. Additionally, disturbances have been reported in sleep, senses, movement, mood, and thinking.
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These effects affect and reduce the overall well-being of an individual’s life. Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment or to learn more about our services. Whether you are seeking intensive outpatient care or simply need guidance on your mental health journey, we are here to help.
Great Product With Cough Relief
Treatment for dextromethorphan (DXM) addiction involves a combination of behavioral therapies, support groups, and emerging therapies. However, at higher doses, DXM acts as a dissociative anesthetic, similar to ketamine and phencyclidine (PCP). The psychological effects of DXM addiction refer to the emotional and cognitive changes or disturbances that occur in response to taking DXM substances. It impacts an individual’s mood, thought processes, and overall mental well-being.
Physiological Effects
DXM is shorthand for the drug dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant found in several over-the-counter cold medications. But while you can buy this medication without a prescription, it’s often misused by teenagers experimenting with substance use and looking for a legal stimulant. The effects of DXM addiction include severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. Physically, it can lead to liver damage, high blood pressure, and respiratory issues. Psychologically, it increases the risk of depression and cognitive impairment. Socially, it can cause relationship problems and legal issues.
- You can also read this article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs.
- People who misuse DXM describe different “plateaus” ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations and “out-of-body” sensations, and loss of motor control.
- In 1973, Romilar was taken off the shelves after a burst in sales due to frequent abuse, and was replaced by cough syrup in an attempt to cut down on abuse.
- DXM’s effects typically begin between 20 minutes and 1 hour after ingestion.
- But while medical use of DXM is typically safe, taking the high doses that many people use for recreation can cause serious problems.
Trends in over-the-counter substance misuse are often less well-studied than prescription or illicit drug use. However, some data can shed light on the prevalence of DXM abuse. When people misuse DXM in order to get high, they take massive doses well above the recommended daily limit.
This means you feel like you need the drug to function as usual. Dextromethorphan can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. Other factors may also affect whether dextromethorphan is a good option for you. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking dextromethorphan, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
All About Dextromethorphan Oral Forms
The typical dosage for treating a cough with DXM is about 15 to 30 mg every three to four hours, with few side effects appearing for most people. The daily limit of DXM, according to most medication packaging, is 120 mg within 24 hours. Resources for teens include specialized addiction treatment programs focusing on adolescents’ unique needs, school-based intervention programs, and support groups tailored for young people. Parental involvement and family therapy are crucial in supporting a teen’s recovery process.
- It is not known if or how dextromethorphan could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby.
- Long-term misuse of dextromethorphan may lead to psychological dependence.
- A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
- There are a lot of medications DXM may interact negatively with as well that can increase the chances of experiencing side effects or overdose on the drug.
- As an over-the-counter cough remedy, DXM is an effective way of dealing with the symptoms of the common cold or flu.
How Does DXM Addiction Develop?
Please note, this is only a quote of benefits and/or authorization. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service. Once a person has received treatment for Dextromethorphan addiction, they will need recovery to resume a healthy lifestyle and keep away from abusing this drug. Checking into a suitable rehab center may help keep the individual away from external influences that may trigger relapse back to addiction. The withdrawal timeline for Dextromethorphan always varies from case to case.
DXM may produce euphoria and mind-altering effects when taken in quantities greater than the recommended treatment dose. People who misuse DXM describe different “plateaus” ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations and “out-of-body” sensations, and loss of motor control. But the concern in the past had been about the alcohol and codeine in cough and cold products.
Taking note of the signs of DXM abuse is very helpful for every user. If a person is suspecting someone abusing the medication, professional help such as drug rehab treatment and recovery are great options to help the abuser get back on track. The vast majority of recreational users are adolescents and young adults.
According to the American Addiction Centers (2023), 5.6% of DXM users have experienced significant adverse effects. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2023), approximately 6.9% of adolescents have reported abusing DXM for its psychoactive effects. After abusing the drug for a long time (from a few months to a few years), people develop a DXM addiction. In some rare cases, the individual may establish physiological dependence as well.
Additionally, when the medicine is frequently used, it is hard to identify it immediately. When a person is abusing Dextromethorphan, there are a few pointers that can sell them out. The Dextromethorphan mechanism of action works as NMDA Receptor Antagonists.
If a person has concerns that someone they know is misusing DXM, they can look out for certain signs. A person may be able to help prevent their child from taking DXM by speaking with them about its dangerous effects. Although it is not an illegal substance, at least 12 states have legislation that prohibits the sale of medication containing DXM to people under the age of 17 years. This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. GoodRx is not available outside of the United States and therefore, access to the site is blocked. If you are trying to access this site from the United States, please try heading to our homepage or our drug directory.
