Medicine is something you take when you’re sick, right, and what is more innocuous than a little cough medicine to keep you from hacking up a lung during the night? Well, apparently, cough medicine is not as innocent as it first appears: it is now one of the drugs of choice of middle school kids and those in high school who don’t have easy access to other drugs or alcohol.

More specifically, the cough medications that contain dextromethorphan (DXM for short) are being abused. Called CCC, Triple C, Skittles, Robo, and Poor Man’s PCP, the drug is widely available in a number of medications that are easily found on the shelves of every grocery store and drug store in the country.

What is Dextromethorphan?

DXM is a cough suppressant that is most often found in cold medicines available over the counter. However, it is also available online and in powdered form, which is almost more of a concern than the stuff found on the shelves since content and dosage are questionable.

People of all ages have abused DXM, but it is more commonly found among teenagers due to the fact that the ease with which they can obtain other drugs is significantly lower because of their age. Because the most popular forms of DXM for this group is Robitussin or Coricidin, the verb used to describe chugging down an 8 ounce bottle or two of the stuff is generally referred to as “robo-ing,” “robo-tripping,” or “skittling.”

The Effects of DXM

It may not seem readily apparent, what exactly it is that attracts kids and others to abusing DXM. Simply put, a large amount of the drug can give you a high and altered perception of time, objects and sensation that has been equated to an acid trip or mushrooms. Visual hallucinations may even be a part of the experience, depending on the dose and whether or not it is mixed with other drugs like alcohol. And if you mix it with alcohol and an energy drink, not only the effects are heightened but the risks as well.

In general, if you are trying to determine whether or not a loved one is abusing DXM, you can look for symptoms of intoxication that include dilated pupils, lack of coordination and dizziness, confusion and slurred speech.

Risks of DXM Abuse

There are a number of risks associated with DXM abuse despite the fact that it is legally available over the counter; it can be just as dangerous as any other drug. The risk of overdose is perhaps the most immediate risk, since so many of the kids who take it don’t have any idea about dosage or tolerance and may take more than they are physically capable of handling without realizing it. Caucasians are at an increased risk of overdose as 5 percent to 10 percent do not metabolize DXM well, which means that they are more likely to overdose or die during experimentation. Those who take antidepressants are also at increased risk of death when abusing cough medicine.

DXM is not a controlled substance in the United States, and it is not regulated by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), either. So not only are the OTC liquid cough medications a danger but even more so the new forms of the drug—tablets, powder and capsules—that are available online. There is no telling what is in these pills sold as DXM nor how much of the substance it actually contains, which makes overdose an even higher risk.

Percocet, Oxycontin, Darvocet - these drug names are becoming more and more recognizable.  Unfortunately, it’s not because more people are using them safely.  It’s because teens are trafficking them, using them, getting addicted to them in a disturbing new trend.  Drug rehab is the only reliable way to escape the grip of these powerful drugs.

Why To Teens Experiment With Drugs

First, think about why teens use drugs in the first place.  There is a lot to deal with as a teenager in this age.  Intense rushes of hormones, quick mood changes, high expectations, transition between childhood and adulthood, discovering an identity - you name it!  They push against their parents, pull back into themselves, and spend lots of time bonding with friends as opposed to hanging with their parents. 

Teens are also just beginning to feel comfortable using their brain in more abstract ways, leading to a great deal of idealism and naivete.  They are excited and curious, but have little wisdom and a mixed ability to accurately predict outcomes.   Add social influences, impulsively, curiosity, pressures to achieve, expectations from adults, and you have teens who might turn to drug experimentation. 

Drugs Calm Emotions Provide Dangerous Instant Fix

Drugs provide a near instant relief from their emotional burdens.  For all the things teens have to deal with, their brains are not fully matured until well into their twenties.  No wonder they change their mood and direction like the breeze. 

The more entrepreneurial ones may also get into drug selling, trading, and distribution.  This goes way beyond personal emotional relief into sharing the dangers of drugs with others.  The difficult thing about prescription medication is that it is relatively easy to get.  It is not an illegal substance in and of itself.  So unlike cocaine or marijuana, prescription drugs may be sitting in the bathroom cabinet at home or at a relative’s house.  They might even attempt to use illegal prescriptions or steal the drugs to get them. 

Prescription drugs are opiates, especially dangerous because of their highly addictive nature.  A teen may try alcohol or marijuana on a strictly experimental level and not get addicted.  Problems may still happen, but they might still get by without addiction.  A person doesn’t have to use prescription drugs very long to develop cravings and a strong psychological attachment. 

Teens With Addiction Need Drug Rehab

For a teen who’s developed an addiction to prescription drugs, professional drug rehab is a must.  There’s no question that opiates are very difficult to withdraw from safely and comfortably, even with help.  This is no time for a home remedy because the relapse risk is too high. 

A person addicted to drugs will move heaven and earth to get what they need.  This might include running away, stealing money, damaging property or worse.  A teen with addiction is much safer and more likely to get clean at a drug treatment center. 

Just Say No To Drugs was the mantra in the late 1980’s.  Nancy Reagan championed this phrase give teens a simple response to drug and alcohol peer pressure.  Many parents simply tell their kids that drugs are bad and they should stay away from them.  But why is this approach just not enough?  Talking with kids about drugs and alcohol is a challenge, but it doesn’t have to leave you tongue-tied.

Be Honest About Why Drugs May Seem Fun

It’s tempting for parents to simply demonize drugs and alcohol, attempting to scare their children away from even the idea of trying it.  While this approach is understandable and pretty common, it probably leaves some good learning opportunities out of the picture.  It’s strong on power but weak on understanding the nature of teenage temptation.

A more effective approach would include being pretty honest about the reasons people think taking drugs and drinking is fun.  Honestly describing the attractive effects of drugs doesn’t necessarily make taking them more likely.  Being honest keeps the mystery down and keeps the talk straight. 

For example, you can say that some people really enjoy how alcohol relaxes them.  It makes them feel kind of silly and loose, like they are having fun and forgetting their troubles.  It’s also why friends might try to convince someone else to try it (like your kid).  Then say how friends are more likely to tell you the “good” things about drinking and taking drugs, or make it seem cool or funny to get in trouble and buck against the adults. 

Be Just As Honest About The Dangers of Drugs

Tell them just as honestly how alcohol and drugs affect their feelings in bad ways, too.  Sadness gets sadder when they are drinking, anger gets stronger, crazy mood swings are exhausting.  They are more likely to do things they would regret while drinking or taking drugs.  They have a better chance of hurting themselves accidentally or intentionally, a better chance at having dangerous, abusive, or unprotected sex. 

Talk about kids and adults who have had big enough problems that they needed to go to drug rehab or an alcohol treatment center.  Even if it hasn’t happened in your community, the internet makes it convenient to look up good examples of kids who went far off the track with drugs and alcohol. 

You know your kid better than most other people, what they value, what they wouldn’t want to get off track, what they need from you as a parent.  If they have big concerns about friend rejection, they may take drugs to feel like they fit in and have friends.  If they have anxiety from academic and success pressure, their weak spot might be tension relief. 

Kids Will Listen To What Their Parents Say About Drugs

Kids still listen to their parents as teenagers, and they certainly don’t need their parents less at this age.  But peers do become very important to teens and preteens.  If you can appreciate this and help your kid see the bigger picture, you will remain a valuable source of support and honesty for them. 

You probably won’t be there when those big moments of temptations happen.  But locking your kids in the closet isn’t going to teach them much about making good choices either.  If you discover that your child already has a problem with drugs and alcohol, you may need to consider drug rehab or alcohol treatment.  When you keep the communication open and honest, there’s always a chance for a good outcome.

Family Culture Affects Drug Use Choices

You’ve had all the talks, you’ve stressed the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol each and every time he leaves to go hang out with his friends, you’ve made yourself available to talk about pressures from school or troubles with relationships, and he knows every speech before the first words even leave your mouth. Clearly, he’s listening. So why do you still feel troubled?

“How acceptable children thought it was for adolescents to drink alcohol was explained by their own self-views, not by their mothers’ beliefs about them. And that’s not surprising given that what you think about yourself is going to be strongly tied to what you think is acceptable behavior,” says Stephanie Madon, associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University.

In other words, “the more acceptable teens believed adolescent alcohol use was, the more alcohol they tended to drink themselves.”

Clear Communication has Positive Effects for Children’s Alcohol Use

Science is just now catching on to what women for centuries have referred to as maternal instinct. Moms have their own beliefs about drugs and alcohol use that were likely influenced heavily by their mothers and grandmothers before them. The challenge, then, is to instill those beliefs – those moral values – into our children so that they become second nature before the itch to leave home and experience life on their own starts kicking in.

Madon advises mothers to communicate in every way possible the message that alcohol use during adolescence is out of the question. When kids begin to internalize this message and repeat it over and over again for themselves, claiming it as their own belief, what tends to form is an equally unacceptable view of underage drinking, both for themselves and for their friends.

Delivering the Message about Teenagers and Alcohol

There are many ways to get the point across that teenagers are not yet ready to use alcohol. But just telling them not to do something is the surest way to actually get them to do it. There must be a reason you’re telling them not to, and if you’re not offering any explanation to reinforce the directive, kids will have to find out what you’re talking about the hard way.

The most important thing you can do to instill a firmly-rooted belief is to start early. We don’t wait until our children are ready to host a fancy dinner party then give them a crash course in table manners. From the time they are small children sitting in a high-chair and learning to feed themselves, basic rules come into play (keep your plate on the table, don’t throw your food or put your fork in your eye) to keep order and avoid disaster.

The skills we learn at a very young age develop into some of our greatest strengths as we begin to mature. So give your kids videos about how to say no to drugs, attend community presentations about drug safety, ask questions to the firefighters and police officers who volunteer at the events, point out the repercussions of dependence and addiction to alcohol by using friends and neighbors as examples.

Whenever you see evidence of drugs and alcohol being used, ask your child what he would do if faced with the same situation and you weren’t there. Teaching our kids how to avoid the dangers in life is not the same thing as telling them. Get them thinking about alternative solutions and you’ll be giving them the tools they need to successfully navigate in the real world.

Tell Us: Do you think drugs or alcohol would be such a struggle for you now if your parents had explained more about them before you had a chance to experiment?

Adolescent Drug Use Linked to Insomnia

A study just released in the October issue of Sleep journal has discovered a definite link between chronic sleeplessness in teenagers and mental illness. Author Brandy M. Roane, MS, elaborates, “The current study suggests adolescents with insomnia are more prone to developing mental disorders, specifically depression. Previous research in adults has found similar results to this study.”

Sleep Study Links Insomnia with Mental Illness and Drug Abuse

Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years at the beginning of the study were re-evaluated after six or seven years – a total of 3,582 young people in all, of which, 9.4 percent reported having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep nearly every night.

Of the 336 individuals with sleep difficulties, rates of depression were 2.3 times more prevalent in adulthood compared to those who did not report symptoms of insomnia. Drug and alcohol use as well as thoughts and attempts at suicide were also higher among the group suffering from insomnia.

Teenager Sleeplessness a Risk Factor for Depression and Mental Illness

In short, the findings of the study point to a greater risk of teenage insomniacs developing mental health issues and increased severity of the symptoms to boot. These conclusions suggest that insomnia could be a risk factor for mental illness and drug addiction – valuable information for parents, teachers, coaches, pastors, and mentors who play the major roles of keeping teens clear of danger.

There are many theories of why sleep is necessary for healthy functioning, and what exactly happens while our bodies rest. Studies abound on the effects of sleep related to memory, cognitive ability, motor function and control, wound healing, growth, even hormone production. While no one fully understands what happens inside our bodies while we sleep, one thing we do know for certain is that extensively long periods without sleep can kill you.

Tell Us: What do you think is the link between restful sleep and sound mental health? Is it dreams? Rapid eye movement? The difference between daylight and darkness?

Talk to Your Teen About Drug Abuse

The other day we talked about divorce and its impact on teen drug abuse. This and other stressors can push your child to look for refuge in alcohol and illicit substances. The new school year approaching brings with it a slew of new stresses as well as access to multitude of drugs. But going back to school is also a great time to talk to your kids about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol. When you’re shopping for new clothes and school supplies, ask your child what her goals are for the coming year. Listen quietly and offer positive feedback, then chime in with a few suggestions of your own–especially concerning drug abuse and addiction.

Staying drug free is a high priority for accomplishing your goals and meeting unexpected challenges. But unless kids know about other alternatives to relieving stress, they run the risk of using because they trust their friends and think it won’t hurt them just to try it.

Hidden Dangers of Teen Drug Abuse

Teenagers have a way of conceptualizing events that translate into present tense. They’re not thinking about the future and the consequences of their actions, only how it relates to the here and now. As a result, the long-term dangers of drugs and alcohol are either ignored, or completely unknown.

Most public schools used to have drug education programs, D.A.R.E. for example, but with massive budget cuts across the nation, you can bet that these programs will quickly go the way of the do-do if it hasn’t happened already. That means the first line of defense you have against your child using drugs is you.

Prevent Teen Drug Addiction

Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, realizes “there’s a real disconnect between what teens are thinking and feeling and what parents believe about their teens when it comes to attitudes about drug use.” In a recent survey done by the Partnership, 73 percent of teenagers admit to using drugs as a way to cope with stressors from school, while only 7 percent of parents considered it an option.

The reality is, drugs and alcohol are available to your child at any time. It’s not a matter of knowing the “right” person, because kids who use drugs are everywhere. There is no stereotypical drug user, or dealer for that matter.

Everyone is susceptible to the pressures of life, it’s knowing what to do when the pressure gets to be too much that makes all the difference. For ideas on how to talk to your kids about keeping clear of drugs, visit TimeToTalk.org and register for the Partnership’s free talk guide for realistic information related to teen drug use.

Teen Drug Addiction

Parents cope with the stinging pain of divorce in different ways. As adults, we know how life is filled with constant ups and downs and can easily trick ourselves into thinking “it’s not so bad.” When we can no longer ignore the pain, heartache, anger and frustration, we seek out other ways to steel ourselves so we can carry on through another day.

Our children, who bear witness to it all especially in the wake of divorce are confused and bewildered, lonely and ashamed. They see their parents having trouble getting along and try to figure out what it was they did to make things turn ugly. Mom and Dad are busy going through their own emotional turmoil and aren’t as available to lend an ear as they once were. Some, in an effort to numb the pain or escape the fighting, may turn to drug abuse and addiction.

Grief and Loss Contributes to Drug Addiction

Loss is something we all experience throughout the course of life. A lost dog, a favorite toy, a best friend who moves away, grandparents passing on; it’s part of the give and take that makes life meaningful. For every loss, including divorce, we are subjected to the accompanying wave of grief, sometimes more powerful and incapacitating than other times. A child may not express her loss to you in words, but it is there nonetheless, as powerful and consuming as the grief that consumes you over the loss of your former life. Divorce can leave your teen agitated with unanswered questions. Rather than bother you with their questions or concerns they may begin to experiment with crystal meth, alcohol, marijuana, prescription painkillers… whatever drugs are available to them.

Teen Drug Abuse

Struggling and Coping with Teen Drug Addiction

The National Longitudinal Sample of Adolescent Health sponsored by the Mapping America project, reveals that teenagers whose parents have divorced are four times more likely to use drugs than teens whose parental relationships are intact - even after they reach adulthood.

Trying drugs leads to using drugs, which quickly escalates into dependency and abuse, and finally, addiction. It’s not a pretty picture, but for anyone weighed down with the emotional baggage of divorce, little else can appear to be able to solve the problem.

A Positive Step Toward Fighting Teen Drug Abuse

When we aren’t feeling well physically, we go see a doctor. But when we feel emotionally unwell, most of us just try to suffer through it hoping it will clear up on its own. Would you try that tactic if you thought you had the flu? Probably not, because the consequences of missed days at work and a potential for developing bronchitis or pneumonia are just too great. Your friends and family would do everything they could to persuade you to see a doctor because you could die if you don’t get help.

Emotional and mental illnesses are no different. Most mild cases can be treated with outpatient talk therapy an hour a week at a counselor’s office. Your child’s school most likely has a school counselor on staff that can offer advice or referrals to get the right help for your situation. In more serious circumstances, inpatient or outpatient drug addiction treatment centers may be necessary. Emotional pain doesn’t just vanish. We must identify and accept that it is a valid response to a crisis and open ourselves to the possibility of healing through patience and understanding.

Gay and Lesbian Drug Addiction

We’ve talked a little bit recently about drug and alcohol abuse among different groups: medical professionals, women, teenagers. Today we’re going to talk about the high risk of drug and alcohol abuse among gay and lesbian youth because it is so high, it is irresponsible to ignore it.

What the Research Says about Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Gay and Lesbian Youth

Did you know that lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 190 percent more likely to use illegal substances than heterosexual teens of the same age? According to Medical News Today and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, that’s not all. Apparently, lesbian teens are 400 percent more likely to get high or drunk and bisexual teens are 340 percent more likely.

Michael P. Marshal, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC. He led the study and says, “Homophobia, discrimination and victimization are largely what are responsible for these substance use disparities in young gay people. History shows that when marginalized groups are oppressed and do not have equal opportunities and equal rights, they suffer. Our results show that gay youth are clearly no exception.”

What Can We Do About the High Risk for Drug Abuse Among Gay and Lesbian Teens?

First of all, we can begin by making it clear that sexual orientation can be a risk factor. Currently, this is not mentioned in any of the substance abuse prevention and intervention literature published by organizations like the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism and the Institute of Medicine. More research needs to be done on the subject and this research needs to be made available to substance abuse treatment and medical professionals.

Says Dr. Marshal, “It is important to remember that the vast majority of gay youth are happy and healthy, despite the stressors of living in a violent, homophobic society. More than anything, gay youth need love, support and acceptance from their family members and friends. It also is imperative that health care providers offer a safe, confidential environment to discuss health care needs with gay teens.”

Do You Know a Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Teen Struggling with Drug and Alcohol Abuse?

If you or someone you know is using drugs and alcohol as a way of dealing with sexual orientation issues, family issues, stressors at school or at work, the sooner you get help for yourself or them the better. The earlier that you get involved in drug addiction treatment, the better chance you will have of enjoying a life without drugs and alcohol destroying your health and relationships. If you have questions about the options available to you or if you need help setting up an intervention for your gay or lesbian teen, call us at The Canyon today.

The overwhelming responsibility of helping a child across the bridge of their teen years into adulthood can feel like an impossible task when it comes to attempting to discern whether or not your child is using drugs. What drugs are even out there? What drugs does your teen even have access to? And what does being under the influence look like? Is this really drug addiction or innocent experimentation?

Here are a few things you can look for that may tip you off about drug abuse that requires drug addiction treatment:

* Slipping Grades. It’s virtually impossible to keep up with the hectic demands of homework and tests when you’re experimenting with any drug or alcohol. You may even notice an overt or sudden disinterest in even going to school. You might want to check with the attendance office at your teen’s school to make sure that she hasn’t been absent more often than you’re aware. If he or she has been a part of extracurricular activities in the past, her interest and participation in these may falter or disappear completely as well.

* Health. Using drugs or alcohol weakens your immune system. Also, recovering from a binge can look like an illness. If your child has previously been healthy, but suddenly seems to pick up every cold or constantly feels ill, drug use may be the cause. 

* Physical Appearance. Extreme changes in dress or a sudden lack of interest in grooming at all may indicate depression, changes in peer group or friends and may also point to drug use and abuse.

* Mood Changes. Moody behavior and general irritability and crankiness are hallmarks of the teenage experience, even they never touch an illegal substance.  If your teen’s interest in privacy suddenly seems extreme to the point that you are permanently excluded from entering their room under any circumstances or they disappear with friends who you may or may not know very well without telling you where they’re going, then they may be using drugs.

* Financial Urgency. A lack of funds during the teen years is nothing to be concerned about. It’s totally normal. But sudden and constant requests for money without a good reason or purpose may be an indications of drug use, especially when combined with the disappearance of money from your wallet or other formerly safe storage places in your home. You may also notice that things are missing from house, which opens up the possibility that your child is stealing to pay for his or her drug habit.

If you think that your teen is using drugs or exhibiting any of the abovementioned behavior, you can start by asking them about it. One or two signs may be easily explained by something other than drug use. Don’t accuse, but do show your concern. If you feel quite sure that drug use is the cause of the changes in your child, The Canyon can help by providing you with a professional interventionist to confront your child and get him or her into the drug rehab facility they need.

What are some changes you noticed in your child’s behavior that tipped you off to his or her drug use?