The Misuse of Cough Medicines Can Be Devastating

 

When you are suffering from the common cold and you have nagging cough, you may buy cough medicines to suppress it. That may seem harmless enough. However, there is a trend in substance abuse in that some people take a large quantity of this to experience "robotripping". This is getting a high from taking the drug dextromethorphan that is the active ingredient in cough suppressants.

This slang term comes from the brand name of a popular cough suppressant, Robitussin. When you take this medicine as directed on the label, it can help you calm your cough, and it will have no effect on your mind. However, when taken in great quantities, you get on a trip and a high. This is what some people are discovering, and they are abusing it.

The problem with this is that these cough suppressants can be easily purchased anywhere over the counter. It is not regulated. So, it is easy to for kids to get their hands on it and abuse it. Some stores have banned the purchase of a large of cough suppressants at one time in an effort to deter the abuse of this substance. That helps a little, but the problem is still pervasive.

It is unfortunate that some people find ways to abuse a legitimate medicine. If the abuse gets out of hand, authorities may need to start regulating its purchase. For now, it is up to everyone to keep his eyes open for signs of substance abuse of common, legitimate medicines.

If you suspect that someone you know may be abusing cough medicine or other types of common medications, do not turn your head. Speak to the person about it. It will be a difficult conversation to begin, but in the long run, you will be saving the person's life.