Although you’re likely familiar with the dangers drugs like heroin and cocaine present, there’s another addictive substance you may have in your home. It’s legal and probably within reach of young family members. If you have a bottle of cough syrup in your bathroom cabinet, someone in your home could be at risk for dextromethorphan addiction.

What Is Dextromethorphan?

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant in over-the-counter medications. Only a few states currently prohibit minors from purchasing these. Therefore, it’s all too easy for kids and teenagers to legally buy the potentially addictive product.

Those who abuse dextromethorphan either drink the cough syrup in large amounts, inject it or snort it. Because you can easily find information online about abusing this substance, parents should carefully monitor Internet use.

Overall, young people are at risk for abusing DXM because it’s cheap and easy to purchase. Often, teenagers find and use dextromethorphan-containing products at house parties, raves, and club parties.

Because it’s legal, they may feel it’s less dangerous than drugs like meth. Many users mix DXM with other addictive substances to enhance their high. In turn, this increases health risks as well.

Dangers of Dextromethorphan Addiction

You know the dangers drugs like meth or opiates present. Therefore, if you notice changes in your child’s appearance, they may be under the influence of a street drug.

DXM abuse normally involves four consequential levels. These range from mild euphoria to hallucinogenic effects users experience at very high doses (usually 500 – 1500 mg). For example, the normal dose for cough suppression is only 20-30 mg.

Signs of dextromethorphan addiction include:

• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea/vomiting
• Restlessness

Additionally, you might notice disappearing cough medicine and empty bottles in your child’s room. You might also find paraphernalia for injecting it.

Above all, it’s important to be vigilant about your child’s behavior if you begin suspecting a dextromethorphan addiction. Thus, the sooner you can get help for your teen, the better.

If you or someone you know needs help overcoming dextromethorphan addiction, Steps to Recovery is standing by.

We’re Here for You

Our treatment professionals are ready to assist anyone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. We provide compassionate care focusing on your individual needs. Our pre-admission process is extensive because we work hard to understand the cause of your addiction. Therefore, we’re able to design a custom treatment plan for addressing your needs.

At Steps to Recovery, you’ll enjoy our small, intimate environment with an average staff to client ratio of 3-to-1.

Our facility caters to users in the LGBTQ community as well as those who’ve had disappointing results from programs that didn’t address severe co-occurring disorders. We hope our dual diagnosis treatment is the solution you’re looking for.

Our drug addiction rehab treatment programs include:

• Cocaine rehab
• Addiction counseling
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy

When you’re ready to permanently overcome your addiction, call us at 267.719.8528. We’ll work diligently to guide you down the road to recovery.