What Are Triple Cs? How These Over-The-Counter Drugs Can Cause Dangerous Side Effects

Cough syrups became increasingly popular as substances of abuse with the emergence of ‘lean’ or ‘purple drank’, a concoction that mixes cough syrup with soda, candy, and sometimes alcohol. 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. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of Triple C’s addiction is essential for early intervention and treatment.

Negative Side Effects of Triple C Cough Medicine

Behavioral signs may include increased secrecy and attempts to hide the use of Triple C’s, social withdrawal, changes in sleep patterns, and sudden mood swings. Individuals may also exhibit physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate, impaired coordination, and confusion. Psychological effects can include hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, and a distorted sense of time and space. When abused, otherwise benign drugs, like acetaminophen can also contribute to health problems. Most importantly, those health problems may not arise right away, but will likely continue to worsen throughout the individual’s life. Most dextromethorphan pills have an active effect of 4-12+ hours or an average of 6.

• When purchased illegally in powder form, DXM may be combined with methamphetamine or other drugs, which increases serious risks such as fatal overdose.
• The psychological dangers are equally alarming, with users potentially experiencing intense hallucinations, severe disorientation, and psychosis.
• Because teens often abuse Triple C’s and other medications containing DXM, some states have restricted access to people under the age of 18.
• Moving Mountains Recovery, based in Randolph, New Jersey, offers a comprehensive and unique approach to addiction recovery.

Additionally, many stores refuse to sell in large quantities to teenagers. After these outbursts, someone high on triple C may not remember their actions, further impacting their life. We believe trust, meaningful connections, and kindness are the essentials to beginning a journey in recovery. Our Treatment Center is dedicated to providing an honest, authentic, and genuine treatment environment that gives our clients a unique opportunity for healing.

At PAX Memphis, we understand the importance of extending addiction treatment coverage to all those who need it. We have partnered with multiple insurance companies with the intent to help as many individuals as possible to attain excellent drug and alcohol rehab care. One example of Triple C’s abuse is the recreational use of large doses of cough syrup containing DXM. Some individuals may consume multiple bottles of cough syrup or take high doses of DXM tablets to achieve the desired effects.

• Our residential substance abuse treatment programs, in collaboration with leading detox centers, ensure a safe detoxification process, minimizing withdrawal discomfort.
• Sure, they’re less potent and pose a lower risk than illegal street drugs or highly-regulated prescription drugs—but doesn’t to make them risk-free.
• These come in doses between 2.5 and 10 mg and are intended to decrease the effects of coughing and congestion.
• The effects of abusing Triple C’s range from immediate to long-lasting impacts.

Short-Term Effects Of DXM Abuse

Several concerns surround Triple C abuse, especially when users become addicted. The longer you take this product or the higher the dose, the greater the chance you’ll experience significant adverse effects. When taken in low doses, you can effectively reduce coughing and congestion. However, when taking large doses, users often experience a high characterized by disassociation and a floating sensation. Some users who experience hallucinations, psychosis, and mania lose control over their actions which can result in fatal accidents. According to one study, there have been several reports of how DXM abuse resulted in assault, suicide, and homicide.

Long-Term Effects Of DXM Abuse

Another term for misusing DXM is “robo-tripping,” which involves the name-brand cold and cough medicine Robitussin®. Other street names for dextromethorphan include CCC, Triple C, DXM, Dex, Poor Man’s PCP, Skittles, and Robo. Triple C is a street name for Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold, a popular brand of cough and cold medicine that is commonly abused by teens. Multiple Coricidin products contain the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, a medication that can produce hallucinations and dissociation when taken in high doses. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a synthetic drug that acts as a cough suppressant by affecting the brain’s cough reflex.

Effects of Triple C

However, individuals who are abusing this substance may go to multiple stores to buy more medication. Combining DXM with alcohol is highly discouraged, as it can significantly increase the risk of dangerous side effects and potentially life-threatening complications. This mixture can lead to heightened impairment, increased risk of respiratory distress, heightened drowsiness, and can even induce a toxic state in the body. Both substances depress the central nervous system and, when taken together, can amplify each other’s effects unpredictably.

Overdosing on Triple C is a significant risk, especially as achieving the sought-after high often involves consuming large quantities of the drug. This elevates the danger of ingesting more than the body can safely process, leading to an overdose. Annually, DXM contributes to over 6,000 emergency department visits in the United States alone. An overdose of Triple C is a critical medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you suspect an overdose, either for yourself or someone else, it’s imperative to call 911 without delay.

Are They Dangerous?

Since it is not a controlled substance, most people can access DXM products very easily, which is helpful in cases of the cold or flu. However, 15 states have prohibited the sale of these products to minors due to rampant abuse of them among young people. Approximately 5-10% of individuals are poor at metabolizing DXM, increasing their risk of overdoses and deaths. Those with pre-existing health conditions, such as issues with blood pressure, should be extremely cautious. However, all users are at risk of complications at large doses, regardless of their current health status.

This cough suppressant and decongestant can be purchased without a prescription and even sourced online. This accessibility makes it easy for teens and young adults to buy and abuse it. Teens who continue to abuse triple C despite the risks and consequences may require professional treatment. Rehab facilities offer evidence-based treatment that meets each patient’s specific needs. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment option that triple cs drug aims to change thoughts and behaviors toward drugs such as triple C.

Due to DXM’s chemical similarity to substances like PCP and ketamine, high doses of DXM might trigger false-positive results in PCP urine tests. The onset of Triple C’s effects can be felt within 15 to 30 minutes after consumption, typically lasting between 3 to 6 hours. However, the active ingredient, dextromethorphan (DXM), has a longer presence in the body. Rapid metabolizers may find DXM lingering in their bloodstream for 11 to 22 hours, whereas those who metabolize the drug more slowly could have it in their system for up to 33 hours.

Always seek your physician’s advice with any questions or concerns regarding a medical condition. If you or a loved one is struggling with triple C addiction, our specialists are ready to help you find your path to recovery. Because triple C/dextromethorphan does not display on drug tests, it is critical to be open and honest about frequency and quantity of use.

Some start with 6 to 8 pills, but over time, the number of pills would increase. When this happens, they would need to increase the dose of medicine to experience hallucinogenic effects. When a person starts ingesting large doses of the drug, this can lead to dangerous consequences. Using a drug like Triple C that contains DXM is safe if taken in the recommended doses to treat cough and cold symptoms. However, when taken in large doses, DXM can produce side effects like hallucination and disassociation.