Can You Get Addicted to Robitussin?
When taken exactly as directed for the treatment of a very specific set of symptoms, over the counter cough medications are both safe and effective. However, taking more cough medication than directed can result in a physical and mental sensation very similar to the high provided by other chemical substances. Because of this, some individuals abuse over the counter cough medications and hopes of achieving this high. During the 1970s, the Food and Drug Administration made codeine cough medicine illegal because so many individuals were abusing this previously over-the-counter solution to the common cold-related cough. codeine was removed as the active ingredient in many cough medications and was replaced with dextromethorphan.
While dextromethorphan, also known as DXM, has a lower potential for abuse, it can still produce a high when taken in extremely high doses. Some individuals report that when DXM is taken other than as prescribed or intended, it can lead to physical and mental effects that somewhat mimic drugs like ketamine and PCP. While the recommended dose of DXM typically caps at 30 milligrams, some will take more than 10 times that amount to feel a noticeable high. Because cough medications are readily available because they are not illegal and because individuals can easily find them in most household medicine cabinets, they tend to be the drug of choice among adolescents, teenagers, and young adults.
Robitussin Abuse Among Adolescents
Robitussin is an expectorant, meaning that it is a cough medicine that helps relieve congestion in the throat and the chest making it easier to loosen and release mucus. While this specific medication is generally very effective in relieving chest congestion, it can be dangerous when taken other than as prescribed. Over the past several decades, Robitussin has gained rampant popularity among children, adolescents, and young adults. not only is this medication extremely accessible, but it is also significantly more affordable than illicit substances.
If your child has been acting strange, for example, experiencing more drowsiness, discoordination, or aloofness than normal, he or she may be experimenting with Robitussin. If you have been finding empty cough medication containers throughout your home, there is a very good chance that your child has been abusing Robitussin. If this is the case, and you have any sneaking suspicions, you must reach out for professional medical advice immediately. Drug abuse is a progressive disease, and what begins as experimentation can rapidly lead to a full-blown substance dependency disorder.
Age-Specific Addiction Rehab Program
Agape Treatment Center offers age-specific treatment options for young adults who have been abusing Robitussin or any other chemical substance. Young adults often face a unique set of challenges when it comes to addiction recovery. they are still coming into their own, and many of them do still face a great amount of peer pressure in certain social settings like house parties and school events. If your child has been struggling with a substance abuse disorder, there is a very good chance that he or she is resistant to seeking treatment for fear of scrutiny and judgment from his or her peers. Age-specific treatment is beneficial in the sense that it helps children recognize that they are not alone in their struggles and that they do not need to be alone in their sobriety.
If you have noticed some concerning warning signs, but you are still not sure what steps to take to help your child, we are available to help. Simply give us a call and we will walk you through the admissions process while offering you any valuable insight we have regarding substance abuse and dependency among adolescents and young adults. We understand that speaking to a teenager or a young adult can be quite difficult, which is why our experienced staff members have years of comprehensive training speaking with younger individuals about the seriousness of substance abuse of any type or severity. Simply give us a call today for more information, or to learn more about what you can do for your child who has been abusing Robitussin or any other drug – illicit or otherwise.
