DXM has become a drug of choice among teens due to its higher accessibility. This cough suppressant is found in many over-the-counter medications, and most households likely have medications containing DXM in their medicine cabinets. Although large amounts of DMX-containing cough syrups and capsules need to be consumed to experience the psychotropic effects, some of the newer DMX products come in a more concentrated formula, making it possible to get high from smaller quantities. Teens showing symptoms of DXM abuse may need to enroll in treatment at a DXM detox treatment center to overcome their addiction.
For DXM treatment you can count on, reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida. We understand the toll that DMX addiction can take on families, so we offer comprehensive treatment programs that include individual and family therapy to help you heal together. Reach out to us at 866.294.5306 if you suspect your teen is showing symptoms of DMX abuse.
What Is DXM?
DMX, or dextromethorphan, is a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter cold, flu, and cough medications. It helps suppress constant coughing and mildly sedates you so that you can get a good night’s rest when you are not feeling well.
DXM can be found in some of the following cough medications:
- Robitussin
- Tylenol Cough & Cold
- Theraflu
- Vicks Nyquil
- Dimetapp
- Mucinex DM
When taken according to the instructions on the package, medications containing DXM are relatively harmless other than a few mild side effects such as headache, dry mouth, or upset stomach. A typical dose will contain approximately 10 to 30 mg of DXM. When the amount is significantly increased, starting at 100 mg, euphoria and dissociative sedation can begin to appear. Using DXM at these levels indicates abuse and risk for addiction.
How Long Does DXM Stay in Your System?
When you take large amounts of cough medications containing DXM, you will begin to experience the effects within 15 to 30 minutes. Some of the symptoms of DXM abuse are:
- Euphoria
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- The sensation of floating
- Loss of coordination
- Extreme sedation
The effects of high doses of DXM will last approximately three to six hours. These symptoms may be mild at 100 mg doses and increase in severity as the dose of DXM increases.
DXM Addiction Signs to Look Out For
Some young people mistakenly believe that using DXM products recreationally is fairly harmless. Unfortunately, this is untrue, and the long-term effects of DXM abuse can be detrimental to their health and well-being. Be aware of the following DXM addiction signs to know if someone you love needs help:
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Decline in personal hygiene
- Decline in grades
- Isolation from friends and family or a change in social circle
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Continued DXM abuse can have serious side effects since other chemicals are typically found in these cough medications. Long-term DXM addiction increases the risk of overdose, liver failure, seizures, and coma. If a young person in your life is abusing DXM, it is imperative that you encourage them to enroll in professional DXM treatment.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida: DXM Treatment You Can Count On
If you suspect your teen may be struggling with DXM addiction, you may not know where to turn for help. Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida is here to support your family through recovery from DMX abuse. Your teen will receive medication to minimize withdrawal discomfort and individual counseling to help them address underlying mental health conditions that may impact their substance use. Family therapy is also a part of our addiction treatment programs to help you overcome addiction together.
Call us today at 866.294.5306 to learn more and enroll your teen or young adult in our DMX treatment program.
