Substance abuse prevention

Hear From the Expert Feature Article

Dear Expert,

Recently, while in my daughter's room I found several Robitussin bottles in her trash. What would she be doing with these? Should I be concerned?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

The bottles would suggest that your daughter is abusing dextromethorphan. This product is found in many types of readily available cough medicine, including Tylenol Cold, Triaminic cough syrups, and Sudafed cough products. It is cheap and easily available. This substance has been abused for several decades, but recently it has been promoted over the Internet, with advice on how to "safely get high". One website erowid.com has a list of all the products with DXM in it, which ones are "safer" to use, and how much to use (this is a site worth visiting to see what is out there). It is now sold in bulk powder over the Internet as well. Powder is popular as one can take more and it is easier to ingest. 2004 research by Partnership for a Drug Free America found 9% of teens are trying DXM.

Some of the effects of misusing cough medication include hallucinations and dissociation (misperceptions of sight and sound, or detachment from self). This can be particularly dangerous as the teen might engage in high-risk behaviors such as driving while intoxicated. Other longer term, or high dose effects include dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, slurred speech, and abdominal pain. Often the products containing DXM also have Tylenol or other medications that are dangerous in high doses. There have been reported deaths from DXM. Some of the slang terms are Robo (or robo-tripping), triple -c, skittles (or skittling), dex, sryup and DXM.

Signs of abuse are similar to other drug abuse, including mood swings, changes in eating or other normal behavior, problems with school, and changes in friends. Other signs particular to DXM include teens taking continuing to take medication even if they are not ill, or medication missing from your cabinet. It is important, with all drug prevention, to keep communication open, and talk to them about the harmful effects of DXM and why one should take medications as prescribed. Monitoring Internet activity is important. There are programs one can buy that track all the websites your teen visits. If you continue to have concerns please have him/her assessed by a Chemical Dependency Counselor. This person will be able to educate your teen as well as evaluate him//her for substance abuse.

For any questions or comments, please call the expert (Laura Levine, CODAC, (401) 789-0934) and mention the Hear From the Expert article at Be In The Know RI.

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