If you’re one of these individuals or are worried about someone you love, help is available. Parents and other loved ones should also be aware that young people may also be able to access a product that contains DXM, like Triple C, from a medicine cabinet, at home or elsewhere. All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
However, individual factors, such as metabolism and liver function, can influence how long it stays in your system. It is vital to emphasize that misusing Coricidin HBP Cough and cold is dangerous and has life-threatening consequences. To prevent irreversible harm or Triple C’s deaths, seeking immediate medical attention during a suspected overdose is necessary. The immediate physical signs of triple C abuse can look like symptoms of many other addictions, so it is essential to be aware of its signs.
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The Triple C’s are a brand of medication that primarily treats cough and cold symptoms. Their main ingredient, dextromethorphan (DXM), is effective as a cough suppressant when used as directed. When taken in high doses that exceed therapeutic doses, DXM can produce hallucinations and dissociative symptoms.
Please seek assistance if you or someone you know is battling addiction. When used as prescribed, the medication is safe and effective for treating runny nose, congestion, fever, sneezing, and coughing. Teenagers frequently misuse it since it can create hallucinations and euphoria when taken in big doses. Users may develop a tolerance to DXM, requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effects. The cycle can lead to a dangerous pattern of escalating abuse and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.
The Dangers of Triple C (DXM) Abuse
Getting hallucinations and euphoric feelings may be the side effects Triple C users are after, but taking the drug could also result in dangerous side effects. People who abuse triple C often swallow high doses of the medication in pill form. Powdered forms of dextromethorphan, which are available over the internet, can be ingested, injected or snorted. However, it is not known whether the powder is extracted from Coricidin products or other DXM medications. While Triple C’s are thought to be less habit-forming than other drugs like cocaine and heroin, you can still become addicted to them.
Detox also prepares individuals for the next stages of treatment, focusing on physical stabilization and readiness for therapeutic interventions. The societal impact of this misuse is profound, with many failing to recognize the severity due to misconceptions about the safety of over-the-counter drugs. Patterns of abuse vary but commonly involve repeated use to maintain the high and escape reality, leading to a cycle of abuse and dependency. Understanding these patterns and the demographics most at risk is crucial in addressing this growing concern. Coricidin Cough & Cold, often called “Triple C’s,” is an over-the-counter cough medication that has become a substance of abuse, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
It is a cough suppressant that works on certain signals in the brain to reduce the urge to cough. It is important to note that the severity and frequency of these signs and symptoms may vary from individual to individual. Some individuals may exhibit subtle changes in behavior, while others may display more noticeable physical and psychological effects.
She has worked in inpatient settings as well as provided community nursing as a Nurse Practitioner. Kelly brings empathy to an underserved population and her clients share that they feel listened to without judgment. Kelly brings empathy to an underserved population and her clients share that they feel listened to without judgement. Rehabilitation is the next phase of care and focuses on helping the patient deal with their addiction’s emotional and physical effects. A range of methods, such as therapy, counseling, and medication, can be used to achieve this. Some teenagers take mg of dex per kilogram of body weight as a standard dose.
- When people talk about Triple C, they’re referring to the Coricidin Cough & Cold brand of medicine.
- The substance is a potent stimulant that can make users feel upbeat and energized.
- Patterns of abuse vary but commonly involve repeated use to maintain the high and escape reality, leading to a cycle of abuse and dependency.
- Due to their affordability and accessibility, most medicines carry a high danger of overdose regardless of their intended usage, dosage, or combination.
Many Coricidin products, including Delsym, Robitussin, 12-Hour Cough Relief, Vicks DayQuil Cough, Mucinex, Tylenol, Sudafed, and Theraflu, contain dextromethorphan as an active component. Triple C is called Skittles, Robo, Red Devils, Candy, Poor Man’s PCP, CCC, and DXM in the streets. Anyone can purchase the drug without a prescription; it is advertised as a decongestant and cough suppressant. However, the drug can also cause dangerous side effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, and paranoia.
OCD and Addiction
People who abuse triple c’s usually swallow the pills, but some may crush and snort them or dissolve the tablets in liquid to increase the speed of the onset of effects. Detox is the first and one of the most critical steps in addiction recovery and treating addiction to the Triple C’s and substance abuse. It involves medically supervised withdrawal from the drug, ensuring that the process is safe and as comfortable as possible. During detox, healthcare professionals monitor patients to manage withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. The rise in Triple C’s addiction can be attributed to the accessibility and affordability of over-the-counter medications.
Preventing Triple C Abuse
- Today, OTC drugs similar to Triple C’s drug are primarily abused by adolescents, teens, and young adults, often influenced by certain music genres and social media portrayals.
- The misuse of Triple Cs can lead to significant alterations in perception and behavior, often resulting in what is known as robotripping.
- However, individuals who are abusing this substance may go to multiple stores to buy more medication.
Our caring and compassionate specialists are eager to help you comfortably navigate this journey to recovery. Our individualized treatment plan, programs, and therapies may be a perfect match for you or your loved one. Taking massive doses to chase the high DXM provides while ignoring its other elements is a huge health risk, and abusing it can have long-lasting effects on someone who is still young. Please note that users who are poor Dextromethorphan metabolizers have an increased risk of overdose if they abuse Triple Cs. The cough relieving effects of Dextromethorphan from a triple cs drug medically-recommended dose last for around 6 hours after oral administration with minimal side effects, if any.
Users refer to this product as Triple C based on one of the first brands, Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (CCC), which printed “CCC” on pills. While Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold is a well-known brand, many generic products are available. Those abusing this product are seeking the high produced by dextromethorphan, the common cough suppressant.
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Beyond detox, our programs offer essential coping strategies for sustained sobriety. Moreover, Triple Cs contain significant levels of acetaminophen, a pain reliever generally safe in prescribed amounts but potentially harmful to the liver in excessive doses. With each pill containing 300mg of acetaminophen, ingesting just half a pack can surpass the daily recommended limit, risking liver damage with prolonged misuse of Triple Cs.
If you have questions about your drug use or that of a loved one, please contact one of our treatment advisors at Laguna Shores Recovery today. If your child is showing them, it may be a good idea to talk to a therapist or counselor, whether or not you find any evidence of drug use. In most cases, you can’t tell someone is using Triple C by side effects alone. Instead, you’ll have to come to the conclusion that they’re high and work out what it is separately. Normally, that’s easy if they leave boxes in the trash, have red pills, or you know their friends are using it.
Teen drug abuse can cause lasting harm to the adolescent brain, but you can protect your child from the dangers of triple C in several ways. However, a teen using dextromethorphan recreationally may exhibit a number of physical and behavioral changes. According to law enforcement, triple C is primarily misused by adolescents. This has caused many retail stores to place it behind counters rather than on open shelves.
Drug tests typically look for the presence of specified prescription or illegal drugs in your blood, urine, sweat, or hair. For this reason, most standard tests (e.g., screening for employment or sports organization) are not designed to detect Triple Cs. Contrary to common misconceptions, over-the-counter drugs like Triple C are not automatically safe just because they’re readily available in local pharmacies and convenience stores. Withdrawal should always be managed under the guidance of a healthcare professional. These withdrawal symptoms can be particularly challenging to manage and can lead to a relapse if not properly addressed.
