| Parents should know that recent studies reveal | | | | These descriptions could easily be used to describe |
| teenagers are at increased risk when using cough | | | | death itself. Even alive, death is in the |
| medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to get | | | | dextromethorphan picture. |
| high. And they should sit their sons and daughters | | | | The cure for addiction is drug rehab, but when things |
| down and tell them just how dangerous this | | | | haven't gone that far, the only sane solution is |
| seemingly harmless recreational pastime can be. | | | | prevention - good drug education, and the good |
| Dextromethorphan is far from harmless, as this article | | | | sense to lock up or hide your cough remedies and |
| will explain, and is responsible for too many kids | | | | make sure your kids steer clear of them. |
| winding up needing emergency medical care, drug | | | | Show your kids the following side effects of |
| rehab or the worst scenario, a coroner. | | | | dextromethorphan, so they really get the picture: |
| Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant used in | | | | * dissociation - detachment from reality |
| over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicines. | | | | * shallow respiration - which can lead to death if |
| The most popular sources are NyQuil and Robitussin, | | | | serious |
| and kids think they're safe and cool because they're | | | | * excitation - the crazy, scary unhealthy kind |
| so easily obtainable at any pharmacy. According to a | | | | * nausea |
| survey done by the Substance Abuse and Mental | | | | * drowsiness |
| Health Services (SAMHSA) in 2005, an estimated 2.1 | | | | * body rash and itching |
| million teenagers were abusing OTC cold medicines | | | | * dizziness |
| containing dextromethorphan. Since then, a new | | | | * vomiting |
| survey shows the number has risen 50% to 3.1 million | | | | * blurred vision |
| - rivaling the abuse of Ecstasy, LSD and | | | | * dilated pupils |
| methamphetamines. Although dextromethorphan is | | | | * sweating |
| rarely seen in drug rehab settings as a primary drug | | | | * hypertension |
| of abuse, it is commonly seen as the culprit behind | | | | * diarrhea |
| medical emergencies. | | | | * urinary retention |
| If you discover your kids have tried | | | | Dextromethorphan can also cause serious side |
| dextromethorphan cold remedies to get high, ask | | | | effects that can only be dealt with in emergency |
| them if they would willingly take such harmful | | | | rooms - way too late for counseling and drug rehab: |
| hypnotic drugs as ketamine or PCP. Most kids say, | | | | * increased heart rate |
| "Oh, no!" Now tell them that dextromethorphan | | | | * raised blood pressure |
| affects their brain exactly the same way as | | | | * fever-like rise in body temperature |
| ketamine and PCP - two incredibly dangerous drugs | | | | * gastrointestinal disturbances |
| that have caused thousands of people to need | | | | * Olney's Lesions - a form of brain damage |
| special medical care and lengthy recovery times in | | | | And just so you know what to look for (and hope |
| drug rehab. | | | | not to find in your teenager's back pack) |
| Parents need to know just as much as the kids that | | | | dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in these |
| dextromethorphan, ketamine and PCP are central | | | | brand-name cough suppressants: |
| nervous system depressants that carry the same | | | | * Benylin |
| risks as opioids like OxyContin and methadone, the | | | | * Coricidin |
| nation's leading prescription drug killers that are also | | | | * Delsym |
| among the most common drugs sending people to | | | | * Robitussin |
| drug rehab. Although the World Health Organization | | | | * Triaminic |
| (WHO) Committee on Drug Dependence says | | | | * Vicks |
| dextromethorphan does not produce physical | | | | Mom, dad, sisters, brothers - please take the time to |
| addiction, research has confirmed that it can lead to | | | | check out what's going on after school, over the |
| psychological dependence, a situation that often | | | | weekends, sleep-overs, dances and parties. There's |
| requires drug rehab. | | | | no way any of you want to find out that something |
| Central nervous system depressants can slow | | | | as easily preventable as abusing a simple cold remedy |
| breathing and lower the heart rate to levels that can | | | | sent your loved one to the hospital or to the |
| kill you. The effects of dextromethorphan and similar | | | | morgue. And if you do discover drug abuse, don't |
| drugs - if they don't kill you first - are like a living | | | | wait, just get the person in for a serious one-on-one |
| death: intense feelings of depersonalization, meaning a | | | | with an experienced and sympathetic drug rehab |
| powerful unreality about your sense of self, and a | | | | program counselor. |
| powerful detachment from the reality around you. | | | | |