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Robitussin addiction

My 22 yr old son is addiccted to Robitussin.  He's been in jail 6 times, rehab 6 times and therapy for 2 years.  How else can I help him.  I think he is going to die.
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1571878 tn?1354949783
Come join us over here if you want support...

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/617911/DamTrams-War-on-DXM
Helpful - 0
569676 tn?1315641158
Wow, I am so sorry to hear about your struggles.  Its so aweful to see the pain a parent goes through with a child during their addiction. I hate to even think of that pain that I caused my parents.  

Your son is going to have a lot of foot work ahead of him due to his dual diagnosis. But you need to help YOU as well!!!  Have you thought about trying to find an Alanon meeting in your area? It is a meeting group for the families that are affected by addiction. It can be some great support, and my mom really got a lot out of it... even if it was simply in person proof that she wasnt alone. Check out this link for some more info.

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/english.html

As far as your son, like the others have said. He has to want to get clean which is a task all in itself.

Does your son currently take any psychotropic medications now? Antidepressants, mood elevators/stabilizers?  I think this situation is going to require:

1-You sons need to want to be clean more than anything
2-Traditional Talk Therapy (Psychologist/psychiatrist) preferrably the latter
3-Pharmacotherapy to treat underlying psych issues
4-possible medical management (Inpatient)
5-Some structured recovery support (AA/NA/Halfway house)

The DXM that your son is ingesting is not helping his original medical problems in any sense. DXM abuse long term causes some nasty side effects.  Here is a link reagarding DXM abuse, and some personal user stories.

http://www.dxmstories.com/index.html

Perhaps an intervention may be needed here, and some long term inpatient rehab?

Keep us posted!!!
Henry
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you seen an addictionologist ( has he )?  He sounds like he needs to be on some meds,also.  Does he see a medical doctor AND a therapist?  He needs a multi level approach to treat his symptoms and keep him comfortable.  

The thing is...the robitussin is doing nothing to help him here...it does a lot of damage
when taken in high doses.

If you think he'll hurt himself you can't leave him alone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Be there for him, he needs professional help...have they ever tried putting him on medication?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
His name is Thomas and he still lives with us.  He is very intelligent, but he does have a disorder. When this all started, his 2nd yr in college, I tried everything, finally getting him in to see a neuropsychologist. He has a huge brain imbalance. Four out of the 5 parts of his brain test extremely high, but his frontal lobe, his executive functions, test well below average, frightfully near the impaired range. This imbalance creates extreme anxiety and depression and attention deficit. He has tried living on his own, but doesn't pay his bills (ADD) We have 2 successful family business and he has been fired from both for being high on the job. He would never have gotten half the breaks from any other employer! He is a wonderful employee when he is not high. I am beginning to think that he is suicidal.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
rapid...jesus i cant type sometimes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh Boy ...Sounds like you've done so much already!   There's not a whole lot more...he's of age and using a med that is readily available.

I'm sure you've tried reasoning,love,tough love etc..All you can really do now is love him and be there.   His judgement is going to be very poor from this med and that's what is sad.

Does he live with you?  The only thing I see here(and what I would do)is rehab again.

Vicki
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i mean, something causes him to relapse, any idea what that is? does he have a disorder? is cough meds the only thing he has been addicted to? and how much does he drink it and when? sorry for rabid questions.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
is he suicidal?
Helpful - 0
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