Robo tripping refers to the effects DXM users feel when they take high doses of cough syrup or other DXM products and more and more teens are using this as a way to get high.
“Robo” stems from the name of a common cough and cold product, Robitussin (and because users chug Robitussin or another cough syrup to achieve their desired high.) When “Robo tripping,” some users describe different "plateaus" ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations, "out-of-body" dissociative* sensations, and loss of motor control, along with other side effects such as confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation.
This cough syrup is over the counter medicine (OTC) and has been a source of concern for many parents, especially of teenagers. Registered nurse and mother, Misty Fetko found out first hand the dangers of OTC medicince. On the morning of July 16, 2003 she discovered her 18 year-old son, Carl, unresponsive in his bedroom. He passed away that day from a lethal mix of drugs including a prescription narcotic, marijuana, and dextromethorphan (DXM), the active ingredient in many over-the-counter cough medicines.
Misty Fetko is part of Five Moms: Stopping Teen Cough Medicine Abuse. When asked to work with the Consumers Healthcare Products Association, Five Moms stepped forward and each shared their story with the intention to help, educate and bring awareness as well as promote prevention to this deadly issue.
As schools have opened in Florida, and kids come home after school when parents at are work, are you confident that your OTC medicines are secure?
Signs of Cough Medicine Abuse
Is your teen abusing cough medicine? Here are some of the common warning signs to watch for:
* Empty cough medicine boxes or bottles in the trash of your teen’s room, or boxes or bottles missing from the medicine cabinet
* Visiting pro-drug web sites that provide information on how to abuse dextromethorphan
* Changes in friends, physical appearance, or sleeping or eating patterns
* Declining grades
* Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities
* Hostile and uncooperative attitude
* Unexplained disappearance of household money
* Unusual chemical or medicinal smells on your child or in his or her room
Sources: Five Moms, Stop Medicine Abuse, DMX Stories, Partnership for a Drug-Free America (Must visit all these website for more valuable information)
Will cough syrup eventually require a prescription from your doctor? Time will tell.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
Watch video below.
Comments