Over 3 million Americans high off cough syrup
A recent US government survey has found that about 3.1 million Americans ages 12-25 (5% of the age group) have used over-the-counter cough and cold medication to get high. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) based their results on 45,000 interviews. Adolescents and young adults have the highet rates of abuse, with 1.7% having used in the past year. White people used three times more than others. In ages 12-17, most users were girls, 18-25 guys. Overall, the number of people on cold medication is comparable to those on LSD, crystal meth or ecstasy. The breakdown by brand-preferance showed NyQuil at 30%, Coricidin 18%, Robitussin 18%.
The active ingredient responsible for the drug’s psychotropic properties is dextramethorphan hydrobromide, or DXM. In large doses, 10 or more times the suggested amount, it acts as a dissociative hallucinogenic, like ketamine or PCP. DXM was FDA approved in 1958 and during the 60s and 70s it was available over-the-counter in pill form under the brand name Romilar. But in 1973, Romilar was taken off the market because of the growing rate of recreational use, and was replaced by cough syrup, reasoning that fewer people would abuse it if it meant they had to consume a lot of nasty tasting viscous liquid. This seems to have been only a temporary detterent. On the street it’s known as "dex", "tussin", "skittles" or "triple Cs" (short for Coricid Cough and Cold), with its use referred to as "robotripping", "dexing" or "tussing". Despite its still legal status, DXM purchase is regulated in many pharmacies across the country.
Report Details U.S. Cough, Cold Medicine Abuse, ABCNews.com