About DXM Abuse, Part 2

Since DXM abuse has not generally been mentioned in school or in advertising, people who are not aware of the problem remain unaware. This is harmful for those who choose to abuse DXM without knowing the consequences, but it also helps to keep in check the basic knowledge that cough medicines can in fact be abused. If teenagers don't know that they can get high off of cough medicines, pain relievers, and allergy medications, they aren't likely to open up the medicine cabinet and abuse them. Another important reason that DXM abuse is not more widespread is that not everyone who tries to get high off it enjoys it. Many people who do try remember it as a bad experience that isn't worth repeating. They find that the negative effects of DXM, such as nausea, headaches, and itching, are a disincentive to continue to use cough products to get high. Other people are frightened by extreme hallucinations, which can include hallucinations of death. Information gathered from abusers' experiences suggests that only about one-third who try to get high off DXM actually enjoy it. There are many warning signs that can be used by parents, friends, and school officials to determine if someone they know is abusing DXM. Signs that indicate a teenager is using any drugs include dropping grades, a change in friends, loss of interest in usual activities, a change in behavior, stealing money, and/or a change in appearance or weight. DXM-specific indications include clues such as empty or disappearing containers of medicine from cupboards or the presence of large quantities of cough medicine in a teen's bedroom. He or she may also be visiting DXM Web sites in order to learn how to get high.

  No Comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)