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Digital Publisher
Digital Commons at St. Mary's University
Publication Date
Spring 2024
Contributor
Boies, Lori (Faculty Mentor)
Keywords
Cold Medicine, Recreational Drug Use, Dextromethorphan, Substance Abuse
Description
Over the counter (OTC) medications are frequently used to address the symptoms associated with common illnesses that affect the public. (SOURCE) Of these OTC medications, cold and cough medications are some of the most widely used. However, cold medications pose a risk in exhibiting different effects depending on which active ingredient is the most prevalent. Dextromethorphan (DXM), one of the most common ingredients in cough medicine, can lead to the development of symptoms that mirror psychosis associated with phencyclidine abuse (1). Though less common, abuse of codeine can also result in the formation of gastric ulcers, internal bleeding, and inflammation of the stomach (2). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has also helped record general cold/cough medicine abuse among the general population. This study uses the survey responses conducted by the SAMHSA to identifying any correlation that may exist between cold/cough medicine abuse and recreational drug use.
Format
Size
1 page
City
San Antonio, Texas
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
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Clinical Psychology Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Other Chemicals and Drugs Commons