You've got to be kidding me! What kind of cough medicine can get my kid high?

There are more than 100 over-the-counter cough medicines with an active ingredient called, Dextromethorphan. Some of the more popular cough remedies are Robitussin DM, Triaminic DM, Rondec DM, Benylin DM, Drixoral, St. Joseph Cough Suppressant, Coricidin, Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough, NyQuil, DayQuil, TheraFlu, Tylenol Cold and Dimetapp DM.

Can you recite that list five times fast? Probably not, but I'll be that you've got at least two of those products in your bathroom medicine cabinet right now.

Wait a minute. If these drugs can get my kid high, why are they approved by the FDA?

The FDA approved Dextromethorphan (or DXM as it is sometimes called by teens) in the 1950s to be used as a safe and effective cough suppressant ingredient. When it is ingested appropriately, FDA studies show that DXM is beneficial in treating certain cold symptoms.

What happens if kids take more than an appropriate amount? What are the effects?

Teens often take several pills (3-30 at a time) or drink (from 3 tbsp up to 3-4 bottles) cough syrup to feel the effects. The severity of the effects from abusing cough medicines containing Dex will generally depend on how much is consumed.

Ordinarily, symptoms include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation. Abusing Robo can also paralyze the lungs which can lead to coma or death.

Oh, and guess what... Robotrippin' is addictive. If the abuse goes too far, your kid may need to go through a detox program (not cheap) and could suffer through the life-long process of recovery.

This makes no sense at all! Why do kids do this?

Kids who abuse DXM try to reach different plateaus ranging from intoxication and euphoria similar to alcohol, to severe hallucinations and loss of bodily control. Many abusers report feeling more confident and smart while using Orange Crush. Others attempt to reach the sensation of reaching a new level of existence and perception totally different than that of the normal-everyday world.

Like alcohol and other well-known drugs, teens abuse Red Devils to help relieve anxiety and depression. In fact, studies show that about 5-10% of teens and young adults report to abusing cough medicines to get high. So it's much more common than you might think.

That's not even the worst of it. The dangerous side effects can be worsened if the cough medicine containing Dextromethorphan also contains other active ingredients to treat additional symptoms aside from coughs. When these chemicals are abused in combination with other medications, alcohol and/or illegal drugs, the ramifications can be detrimental to internal organs or even be deadly.

Yikes! How would I know if my kid was abusing DXM?

Take an inventory of the amount of cold remedies your child takes when under-the-weather and when healthy. Keep an eye out for over-the-counter medications being horded in your kid's room or backpack. If your teen is abusing Skittles, that's where she'll stash them.

Another thing to keep in mind is to ask yourself, "How often does the cough syrup or do the pills magically disappear from the medicine cabinet?" If you find yourself regularly replacing cold remedies more than you used to, your teen may be stealing her extra share of Triple C's to get high.

Is there anything that I should do to protect my family from abusing "Triple C's?"

An easy step to take is to not overstock medications in your house. This allows you to keep better track of how much syrup or how many pills each bottle holds. I know that this sounds a bit obsessive, but it may help you catch a problem in its infancy before it becomes too much to handle.

Another advisable precaution is to not let your child store his own medications for personal use. It is too easy for him to take Tussin when you're not looking or sell it at school when his teachers aren't around.

Here's the hard part for many parents: set the example of how you want your kids to responsibly approach using over-the-counter and prescription medications. If you are in the habit of overusing medications, you may be setting a dangerous precedent for your kids.

The hardest part for you may be sitting down with your kid and talking to her... calmly and without criticism. In a loving way, explain to your child your feelings about drug abuse and the dangers of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Don't worry about planting the seeds of experimentation in your teen's brain... she already knows that it exists... even if she won't admit it to you!

Wow! This is all a little too much to handle. Is there more that I need to know about Dextromethorphan abuse?

Of course, education is the best way to stay up to date. First, talk to your doctor or pediatrician about your concerns regarding DXM abuse. Second, although you want to avoid getting too paranoid, it's also good to realize how different it is to be a kid in 2008 than way back when you were growing up in the 1800's. So try some of these websites for some more information:

* www.dxmstories.com/index.html

* www.drugfree.org/Parent/Resources/Cough_Medicine_Abuse

* www.family.samhsa.gov/get/otcdrugs.aspx

* www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20080110/report-cold-drugs-used-get-high

* http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/multimedia/webcasts/w.aspx?ID=371

Okay. Any last words of advice?

Yes. It's always a good idea to keep track of your kid's internet use. There are websites that not only advise people how to abuse Triple C's but also that sell DXM in powder form for a more pure high. If your kid is visiting these websites, it may be time to get him some help right away.

If you would like more information, please feel free to call for a complimentary phone consultation:

Kent Toussaint, MA
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
20301 Ventura Boulevard #222, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
HELPis@KentToussaint.com
www.KentToussaint.com
(818) 983-7728

Remember that adolescence is a temporary mental disorder and will pass within a few years.