Cough Syrup Abuse Explained
Many Americans Struggle with Cough Syrup Abuse. Learn More about the Effects Dextromethorphan
Cough syrup is a common over-the-counter medication that many people rely on for its cough suppression properties. However, some seek out cough syrup to abuse on that same substance that causes cough relief: dextromethorphan. Cough syrup is perfectly safe in most circumstances, but when it causes someone to develop a substance use disorder, the fallout can be catastrophic. It's important to understand how cough syrup abuse begins, the effects dextromethorphan has on the body, what the signs you should watch out for are, and what you can do to help.
What Is Cough Syrup Abuse?
Cough syrup is an over-the-counter medication intended as palliative treatment when someone has a cold, the flu, or flu-like symptoms. Some cough syrups that are used as cough suppressants contain a psychoactive ingredient called dextromethorphan (DXM). Some people abuse cough syrup to experience the dissociative properties dextromethorphan induces, similar to the effects produced by ketamine.
How Does Cough Syrup Abuse Occur?
At therapeutic dosages, dextromethorphan doesn't produce any dissociative effects. Cough syrup abuse happens when people take much higher doses than the recommended amounts.
Because cough syrup is readily available and doesn't require a prescription to obtain, individuals who abuse don't face any trouble in acquiring as much dextromethorphan as they want.
Dextromethorphan abuse, like any other substance abuse, lead to more dopamine than usual in the reward pathway in the brain. After prolonged exposure, the abuse hardwires the brain to keep seeking the pleasure it gets when dextromethorphan usage activates reward pathway.
Common Warning Signs of Dextromethorphan Abuse
- Drug-seeking
- Difficulty meeting professional, social, or personal commitments that weren't an issue before
- Inability to show up to school or work, or difficulty getting there without being late
- Mood swings
- Poor judgment, such as driving under the influence and making irresponsible financial decisions
- Disregard for responsibilities, often resulting in declining performance in school or at work
- New unhealthy friendships or acquaintances that encourage the drug-seeking behavior
- Isolation or keeping friends and loved ones at a distance
- Change in appearance
- Change in eating habits
- Poor hygiene
What Effects Does Dextromethorphan Have?
The psychoactive properties of dextromethorphan can divided in four plateaus that depend on the amount ingested:
First Plateau: 100-200mg
- Euphoria
- Change in perception of sound
- Change in perception of gravity
Second Plateau: 200-400mg
- Intense euphoria
- Vivid imagination
Third Plateau: 300-600
- Severe changes in consciousness
- Out-of-body experiences
- Loss of motor coordination
Fourth Plateau: 600-1500
- Dissociative sedation
- Out-of-body experiences
- Temporary psychosis
Aside from the lifestyle changes you often see when someone develops a cough syrup addiction and the characteristics of a dextromethorphan high, there are some long-term health consequences that prolonged abuse can wreak on the body. Some of these are life-threatening or have the potential to cause permanent damage. These effects are:
- Liver failure
- Seizures
- Respiratory depression
Can Cough Syrup Addiction Result in an Overdose?
Yes. Symptoms of a dextromethorphan overdose are:
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Difficulty in urination
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Respiratory depression
- Agitation
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Confusion
If you recognize symptoms of dextromethorphan overdose in yourself or suspect someone you know is overdosing, call emergency medical services right away.
What Happens if Someone Who Suffers from Cough Syrup Addiction Stops Using?
Someone who's addicted has a dependence to the active ingredient, dextromethorphan. The brain's reward pathway is hardwired to think it needs dextromethorphan. If the brain ceases receiving the stimulation that dextromethorphan provides, withdrawal symptoms begin.
Dextromethorphan Withdrawal Symptoms
The most typical symptoms of withdrawal from dextromethorphan are:
- Depression
- Intense drug cravings
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Cognitive issues, such as memory loss
- How You Can Help or Get Help
Substance abuse is scary. It's difficult to those who suffer from it and also to their loved ones, who are watching the effects of abuse happen. The best thing you can do if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction is to know there is hope.