Dextromethorphan - Treatment for Habitual Users

Treatment for Habitual Users

The FDA does not consider dextromethorphan an addictive substance. However, press coverage of dextromethorphan abuse has uncovered cases of psychological dependence, or an addiction created by an emotional need for the substance. A young user told Teen People magazine in 2003: "I thought I could just use Coricidin for fun, that it didn't matter. I never expected to get hooked." This user reported months of daily abuse that led to physical problems, including blood in her urine and a complete loss of interest in school and friendships. "I'll never be able to get that time back," she said. "If I could erase it and make it go away, I would."

In order to kick a drug habit, some people seek treatment at an inpatient rehab facility. At such centers, drug users get counseling to overcome their dependence. Bojan Brecelj/Corbis.
In order to kick a drug habit, some people seek treatment at an inpatient rehab facility. At such centers, drug users get counseling to overcome their dependence. © Bojan Brecelj/Corbis.

The antidote drugs that work on opiate overdoses, such as naloxone (Narcan), do not ease the symptoms of dextromethorphan overdose. According to the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, the emergency medical response to dextromethorphan overdose is to administer oral medications to induce vomiting and use intravenous fluids to combat dehydration. Usually the abuser simply has to ride out the symptoms under observation at a hospital.

Those abusers motivated to end their use of dextromethorphan will find no physical symptoms of withdrawal. However, the psychological pull of the drug may be difficult to overcome. Serious abusers may have to spend time at inpatient rehab facilities, fighting depression, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness. Counseling with a licensed addiction therapist or psychiatrist will help the recovering abuser to identify the underlying reasons for attraction to the drug. Additionally, dextromethorphan abusers are welcome in twelve-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous, where they can meet other recovering substance abusers and find twenty-four-hour support through meetings and telephone hotlines.