What are Red Devils?
For drug seekers who have less access to prescription drugs or street drugs, getting high at the supermarket is relatively easy. Coricidin is a frequently abused cold medicine that younger adults and religious people gravitate towards, because of easy access.
The key ingredient that causes the desired effect of excitement and euphoria is dextromethorphan. Other brands, aside from Coricidin, also contain dextromethorphan. Generally coming in the form of red pills, they are referred to, on the street, as “Red Devils.”
Although safe in recommended doses, these cold medicines can cause serious problems and even death when abused. Users may “eat” from one to four boxes at one time. Some of the common side effects are sedation, dizziness, hallucinations, vomiting, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, convulsions, coma, or death.
Someone who is abusing Coricidin may seem to act like someone who abuses alcohol. They may have trouble walking, seem confused or act dazed. They may be difficult to wake up, paranoid, or frightened.
Coricidin comes in different varieties with various added drugs, so depending upon the variety consumed, the individual abusing it may exhibit other symptoms like abnormal body temperature (even a high fever), a flushed face, or dilated pupils.
Long-term abuse can lead to erectile dysfunction, frequent urination, mental illness (even psychosis), chronic high blood pressure, rapid back-and-forth eye movements (nystagmus), and muscle contortions. Unfortunately, it is not a drug that will show up on a standard drug test, so its abuse may go undetected.
Preventing Coricidin abuse is difficult because of the ease of access. The most important thing is to talk about the dangers calmly and openly, while expressing love and concern. Coricidin abuse, like marijuana, can be a gateway drug and following through with counseling or a treatment program can be invaluable to stopping a problem early that can lead to additional drug or alcohol abuse.
The Cold Creek treatment programs are individualized and Residential Treatment stepping down to Day Treatment and then the Intensive Outpatient Program can be very successful in combating all varieties of addiction. Call us to find out more 1-877-593-6777.
One Comment
Janine / 02 Jul 2011 / 5:15 pm