You may know dextromethorphan as the DXM notation on cough syrup. But some teens and young adults know it as the source of a dextromethorphan high. What happens when you abuse the drug? And how do you quit?
Walking You Through a Dextromethorphan High
When you follow your doctor’s directions, DXM provides temporary relief from bothersome coughs. This’ll allow you to get some much-needed rest. However, when you decide to overdose on purpose, you may experience a dextromethorphan high.
You take more than the maximum dose of the drug. You notice a gradual buildup of euphoria. But this feeling passes. Next, you notice that you’re out of sync with reality.
You seem to be operating as though you were outside your own body. You might see and hear things that aren’t there. People report zoning out or popping in and out of consciousness. Some individuals panic when the dissociative effects take place.
It makes for a miserable experience. Moreover, it’s possible to induce liver failure due to the high doses necessary for experiencing a dextromethorphan high. If you combine DXM with alcohol, your breathing may slow down considerably. You may slip into a coma, or even die.
Is It Worth the Risk?
In a word: no. Many users report panicking or slipping into psychosis during the high. Others come down with physiological side effects. Some psychological effects can become permanent.
Rehab Helps You End an Addiction
Routine use of DXM for intoxication results in the development of a psychological dependency. You feel like you need the drug to get up and going. Some young people struggling with this feeling undergo teen drug rehab but then start using again. That said, you can undergo rehab for the substance as an adult, too.
You work with an intake counselor to identify the best treatment delivery choice. Possible options include:
- Residential treatment that takes about 30 days to complete
- Extended care addiction treatment programs that allow you about 90 days to heal
- Partial hospitalization program, which is full-time rehab with the option of going home at night
- Intensive outpatient program, which is part-time rehab for qualifying individuals
- Aftercare that helps you stay strong in your resolve to quit using
Once you and an intake counselor decide on the right treatment delivery method, you begin therapy. You learn the triggers that cause you to reach for the DXM. Therapists may call them patterns of dysfunction. The therapists work with you to exchange these patterns for healthier behaviors.
What Happens If You Keep Using?
There’s no safe dose of that can help you achieve a dextromethorphan high. As your body builds up a tolerance, you take higher doses. In the process, your liver and kidneys may experience severe damage. When you add meth or another stimulant, you put yourself at risk for seizure.
But you don’t have to put yourself in this position. Reach out for help to Crestview Recovery. Call 866-262-0531 today to schedule an appointment.
