Dextromethorphan (Cough Syrup) Addiction.

[distractedetcartisd]

Hey guys, I'm new here and posting my first topic. I'm not sure exactly what I'm asking for here I suppose just support.
I've had a long track of substance abuse, but the most difficult by far has been DXM.
I was severely depressed when I began my month long binge, last May, smoking a lot of weed taking pain killers and xanax and drinking all in varying combinations with each other. It became my escape.
DXM's mind and reality bending qualities were just too intriguing for me to stop, so I spent a month trying to figure it out. Instead I ended up destroying my social skills and coming out of it slightly crazy for a while.
When I stopped I cleaned up for the summer, from everything even cigs, then I moved into my college dorm. I started drinking and smoking pot n cigs again, but mostly drinking because it was the cheapest way to stay ******. Did acid once or twice, but stayed away from the dex.
After dropping most of my courses and returning home for my break I became mostly sober, a few beers here and there, but out of mostly boredom I decided to try dex again. I "understood" it more now that I had a handle of what hallucinogenics bring and decided I wanted to investigate it again (understood meaning being able to observe the effects, not that I have it figured out, because really it's just playing off the content of your mind. however when I first started I thought it was all real, probably helped contribute to my going slightly crazy). So I abused it... 3 more times I believe. All in lower dosages then my previous trials. I guess the hardest part is that dex can always turn boredom into extraordinary, dex hands you your own little world to play with.
Now I'm here trying to stay of it again. I used it several days ago in such a low dose that it just caused stimulation and nothing psychedelic. I've come so far and I don't wish to go down that path again. It was so painful having to forcefully rediscover myself after my binge, but I wouldn't take it back because in my recovery I've learned so much about myself, the world, and life. I'm sorry this was so long-winded, and like I said I'm not sure what I'm looking for in writing this. I already suffer from mild visual disturbances like static in my vision, and know that it's a matter of time till it cracks me, and yet still I go back, and this truly scares me. I'm currently still smoking weed and drinking now and then but I'm keeping my self in check (working a 40 hour job and going to school), though sometimes I wonder if it's really worth it to waste energy to balance it just to get high.

[distractedetcartisd]

thanks for sharing zyrna! I appreciate the encouragement, something I need right about now. I'm keeping myself busy with work and school at the moment so there's not all that much downtime for me to **** around with haha.
And I think you're right my vision has gotten better over a period of time, pretty much back after my lil relapse tho, but it'll fade again.
Here's hoping all is well with you, and I'm sure even some of the damage will get better with time spent away from the beast.
Peace

[distractedetcartisd]

the drug dextromethorphan is in a lot of over the counter cold remedies. most people who use it look for products with only this chemical, with some exceptions. it's available otc in most drug stores and in most states you need to provide 18 or older ID.
I'm on the fence for whether it should be yanked or not. It's a rather effective cough suppressant after all and it replaces codeine, which has got a lot higher of an addiction rate.
doesn't look like it's gonna get taken off the shelves anytime soon though:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/dxm/dxm_article3.shtml
(yes this is erowid a huge site documenting the effects of drugs, but this article address the last meeting the FDA had about making DXM a scheduled drug or not.)

[lucyred68]

ok guys, i'm not interested in trying this stuff as  my life is as fulfilling as it gets, but is this just plain cough syrup in the U.S.?  if so, it needs to be yanked from the market by the sound of it!

[zyrna539]

Well it's great that you're deciding to stop using now before it gets any worse. It can turn into a pretty nasty and destructive addiction. I used heavily from the age of 17 to 24, and it caused pretty serious brain damage. Quite a few people on here have mentioned liver problems as well. The threat of brain damage is very real, and as you have pointed out, it doesn't take that much to cause damage. As far as the static in your vision goes, that may clear up with time. From what little I have read on the long term effects of DXM, some of it clears up within a year. It's quite possible that your distorted vision will not be permanent. I'm not sure I feel the same way about my brain damage.

I too know all about that aspect of DXM where boredom is transformed in exhileration. It's probably one of the most attractive things about DXM. I can think of many eventless days spent on DXM that were exciting and interesting. I suggest trying to find new hobbies to occupy the time that DXM abuse filled. There's more fulfilling things to spend your time doing then dosing up on a dangerous drug that destroys your brain cells.

Just know that you're making a wise choice, and really are taking the more healthy path!  

[distractedetcartisd]

I don't know how to edit posts, but just to make it more clear, I was smoking/drinking/using pharms before my dxm use which was making my depression that much worse, thats not the month long binge I'm talking about.