Cough Medicine Abuse

Cough medicine abuse is taking extremely large doses of cough medicine to get high. The "high" is caused by taking a large amount of dextromethorphan, which is often abbreviated DXM, a common active ingredient found in many cough medications. This sort of abuse -- whether it's called cough medicine abuse, or dextromethorphan, or DXM abuse -- can be dangerous.

Pam, 17, and Jen, 16, Weigh in on Cough Medicine Abuse:
“I’ve heard a lot of bad things about DXM abuse – people just chug a whole thing of cough syrup just to get drunk or high or to give them a better feeling but they get really sick. They do it because they can’t get marijuana or other drugs because drugs are illegal so they turn to it to get the same feeling but it could really hurt someone.” -- Jen

“I haven’t heard that many side effects of DXM I just know people get really sick – they don’t get a great feeling – the just get really sick and can go to the hospital.” -- Jen

“I don’t think it’s cool that anyone gets high. I don’t think it helps people in any way – it’s just temporary.” -- Pam

“I don’t give into peer pressure – I’m not gonna do something because someone else wants me to. Everyone should be independent and have their own ideas.” -- Jen

“I don’t feel uncool that I don’t do drugs – it doesn’t really affect my social life.” -- Pam

“Cough medicine is disgusting when I’m sick, I don’t even want to take it when I’m sick – I don’t understand why someone would want to take it just to get high – it tastes disgusting.” -- Jen

Watch Pam and Jen’s video.