“Robotripping” is a slang phrase that refers to the use of cough syrup or pills for the purposes of producing a “high.” The term stems from the abuse of the brand name cough syrup Robitussin, but the type of cough medication used is not important. It is the active ingredient inside Robitussin and other cough medications, dextromethorphan (DXM), that is used to achieve an altered state of consciousness.
Specifically, dextromethorphan can produce hallucinations, euphoria, out-of-body experiences, and dreamlike states when cough medications are taken at levels far exceeding the recommended dosage. Indeed, some users will drink an entire bottle of cough syrup, or crush multiple tablets into a fine powder that can be snorted. The effects begin within an hour and can last up to six hours.
Because robotripping involves taking such excessively large amounts of medication, it can be extremely dangerous. While the long-term health effects of robotripping remain relatively unknown, robotripping has been known to cause death by overdose.
Robotripping is also particularly dangerous because it is often done by teens and young adults. The heightened risk that this early drug abuse will lead to substance addiction demands immediate intervention. Substance addiction is a progressive disease and it will only grow stronger if left untreated.
At Asana Recovery we offer a supervised detoxification and residential treatment program that can help people of any age who are struggling with any stage of addiction. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our facilities and find out whether our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program is right for you.
