Is Your Teen Getting High on Cough Syrup?

If you buy one of the many cold and cough remedies available it is highly likely to contain an ingredient listed as DXM (dextromethorphan), it is there to help you stop coughing and it is fair to say that if you use the cough syrup as directed it will usually do its job and is unlikely to cause you any harm.

The fact that DXM was approved by the FDA back in 1958 should tell you that it is a well established and trusted ingredient which is found in more than 70 recognized over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, however, it has subsequently become a popular option amongst teens who are seeking an inexpensive way to get high.

This has resulted in a noticeable spike in teens being referred to a drug treatment center so that they can get help for their addiction.

DXM causes no serious side effects when consumed sparingly but when the cough syrup is taken in larger doses it presents a more dangerous profile, causing issues such as distorted awareness, hallucinations, and an altered perception of time.

There is even the threat of death when high doses of DXM are consumed along with alcohol and that is extremely worrying when you consider that it seems cough syrup abuse amongst teens is on the rise.

A different challenge

Cough syrup abuse is not a new problem and it has been an addiction problem that has been around for many decades but the nature of the abuse and the options available to teens has changed in recent times.

The issue in the past was the alcohol and codeine that was routinely available in cold and cough remedies, especially when you consider the dangers associated with combining DXM and alcohol.

This prompted state laws to be changed, and as a result, the majority of cough and cold products now contain no alcohol, and products that contain codeine have also been severely restricted on safety grounds.

DXM was viewed as a viable substitute to the codeine and alcohol that has subsequently been removed from these products, especially when you consider the lack of side effects when taken in moderation.

Unfortunately, the power of social media has ensured that some teens have become knowledgeable and resourceful in finding ways to get around the restrictions and they know that DXM is available in various forms, such as capsules, pills, and powder form.

You can also easily find these products online and information on how to extract DXM from cough syrup is just a few clicks away.

If you are a parent and worried about your teen latching on to this relatively cheap and easy way to get high it is important to understand everything about DXM.

As you might expect in the current culture, teens are using many slang terms associated with using DXM, from Black Beauties, Groove, Poor Man’s Ecstasy, and Sizzurp, to name just a few, but it all amounts to the same thing, which is a worrying level of abuse amongst young adults.

What you need to know as a parent

One of the most common terms you will hear used for the cough syrup concoction that teens are consuming is sizzurp, and it is so prevalent that it is a name that has become mainstream.

Sizzurp is a combination of cough syrup mixed with ingredients such as soda, hard candy, or alcohol. The combination of DXM and alcohol induces what is described as an intoxicating state of euphoria that can stay with the user for about five hours.

As already highlighted, the combination of alcohol and cough syrup can deliver deadly consequences, it also threatens the prospect of the user suffering from hallucinations, seizures, or a loss of consciousness and respiratory depression.

It is estimated that about 10% of high school teens have admitted to engaging in cough syrup abuse and that means that sizzurp, or whatever else they are calling it, is a clear and present danger that you need to be aware of as a parent who is rightly concerned for your child’s welfare and safety.

The risk of addiction

It is abundantly clear that the effects of cough syrup abuse not only present a danger to your teen’s immediate health but it also creates a serious risk for them to develop an addiction to the substance.

Evidence shows that if someone is regularly consuming sizzurp they are very prone to becoming addicted to both alcohol as well as codeine. It is a substance that has the capacity to cause mental and physical withdrawal effects such as restlessness, signs of irritability, loss of appetite, mood swings, and a number of other signs of addiction that will usually be challenging to resolve without resorting to professional help.

Signs of addiction to look out for in your teen would be when they increase their use of the substance in order to achieve the same desired effect, and an inability to quit even when many aspects of their life have become adversely affected by their uncontrollable cravings.

It should be remembered that codeine is classed as an opioid and that means that if your teen has become addicted they will most likely need to take maintenance medication in order to be able to withdraw from taking cough syrup in a safe way.

Overdose warning signs to look out for

It is imperative to understand that overdosing on sizzurp is an emergency situation that presents an immediate threat to your teen’s life and requires urgent and immediate medical attention.

There are a number of distinctive signs to look for if you suspect your teen may have overdosed.

These include -

A weak pulse and very slow or labored breathing.

Their nails or lips might have turned a shade of blue and their pupils are noticeably pinpointed.

They are clammy to the touch or their skin is very cold.

Their blood pressure is erratically higher or lower than normal or they might be very lightheaded or even faint.

In addition to these physical signs, you should also be vigilant in looking for clues in their general behavior, such as a loss of interest in their schooling, changing their usual circle of friends, and unusually erratic sleep patterns.

One of the major problems associated with cough syrup abuse, especially in teens, is the fact that the ingredients are inexpensive and easy to obtain. It is also easy for them to falsely assume that because they can buy cough syrup over the counter it is unlikely to lead to serious health problems or addiction.

As young adults in their formative years, teens are likely to consider experimenting with substances such as cough syrup, especially if influenced by others to give it a try.

Armed with all relevant information about cough syrup abuse you should be able to spot the signs and help your teen if you suspect that they are getting high and may have become addicted.