Is NyQuil Addictive?
NyQuil is a common over-the-counter medication that helps treat symptoms of the flu, common cold and other allergies and illnesses. It helps to provide temporary relief from symptoms such as coughing, headache, stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, fever or sneezing. It’s a common household medication found in most home medicine cabinets across the nation. Suffering from the flu, take NyQuil to help you sleep. Can’t stop coughing, take NyQuil to help you sleep and suppress the cough. NyQuil was designed for short-term relief and is not considered an addictive substance unless it has been misused.
When misused, one of the main ingredients called dextromethorphan (DXM) can become addictive. It is often abused for its euphoric effects, causing sensations of pleasure due to the increase in dopamine in the brain’s reward pathway. Those who abuse DXM describe the feeling as a mild stimulation similar to alcohol or marijuana intoxication. The medication is available in liquid or gel cap form. It is cheap, easily accessible and works well as a sedative treatment. Because of that, some use it as a treatment for insomnia or as a sleep aid. However, this can be dangerous and can unknowingly lead to dependence and addiction.
What is NyQuil? How does it work?
NyQuil is made up of three main ingredients. Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, helps to reduce fever and alleviates minor aches and pains. Dextromethorphan helps to suppress symptoms of coughing. Doxylamine works by targeting histamine receptors in the brain. It can help with sneezing, itchy and runny nose as well as induce feelings of sedation. In some medications similar to NyQuil such as Sudafed, the ingredient phenylephrine is also present. This ingredient is a decongestant that helps reduce nasal swelling and congestion.
Common side effects of NyQuil use include blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, nervousness, excitability and even stomach pain. NyQuil is most commonly taken in the evenings before bed to help the user ease symptoms and sleep better.
Is NyQuil Addictive?
Can you get addicted to NyQuil? NyQuil in general is not an addictive substance. However, some of the ingredients when abused can lead to dependence and addiction. The substance dextromethorphan can become addictive. It is a very common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold and flu medications. In fact, DXM abuse is very popular among teenagers and young people who get high from large doses of NyQuil and other over-the-counter cough medications that induce sedation.
When abused, DXM can produce mind-altering effects that are similar to the effects caused by illicit mind-altering substances. NyQuil abuse occurs when a user has built up a tolerance, dependence and addiction to the substance. Users begin to take more and more in an effort to produce the desired sedative or stimulating effects.
Medications for substances such as NyQuil do not require a prescription. This makes it easily accessible for young people to get a hold of. A 2019 survey from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan revealed that over 3% of American students have abused NyQuil and other medications containing DXM to get high. Abusing these medications is often referred to as “robo-tripping.” This slang term means to get high off of DXM and comes from abusing other DXM-based medications such as Robitussin.
DXM was originally developed by the CIA and US Navy, to help taper patients from a codeine addiction. It was approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use as a cough suppression medication. Slang terms for DXM-associated substances include red devil, skittles and robo.
When abused, DXM can cause similar side effects and symptoms of stimulant abuse. Effects such as hyperactivity, distorted perceptions, increased heart rate, sweating and hallucinations are very similar when DXM is misused. This type of addiction isn’t as potent and strong as an opioid addiction, however, it can make it more difficult to sleep, which is an adverse effect of the medication. When taking large doses of acetaminophen, can cause significant damage to the liver and kidneys. Both organs play an important role in the processing of the drug as well as other bodily functions.
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NyQuil Addiction Symptoms
- Strong desire to take NyQuil
- Reduced ability to control NyQuil use
- Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms when NyQuil use has stopped or drastically decreased
- Increased tolerance for NyQuil
- Neglecting other important aspects of daily life
- Difficulty sleeping without NyQuil
NyQuil Overdose Symptoms
- Rapid heart rate
- Abdominal pain
- Severe agitation
- Seizure
- Hallucinations
- Severe confusion
- Loss of appetite
- Yellowing in the eyes and skin
Mixing NyQuil and Alcohol
Mixing NyQuil with alcohol is a dangerous combination. It increases the effects of DXM and raises the risk of complications from both substances. Mixing the two substances can cause excessive dizziness, sleepiness and difficulty breathing. It also increases the risk of overdose. Both alcohol and DXM are central nervous system depressants. This leads to severe respiratory depression. DXM and alcohol can also lead to loss of motor control and hallucinations.
Another major impact of mixing NyQuil and alcohol is liver damage. Both alcohol and acetaminophen can impact the liver. Toxic build-up of both substances puts immense stress on the liver making it work twice as hard to process the substances. Abuse of alcohol and the acetaminophen within the NyQuil can cause excess amounts of substances in which the liver is unable to properly and timely process. This can also lead to other side effects such as stomach ulcers and GI bleeding.
A weakened immune system can be caused by the combination of NyQuil and alcohol. Alcohol impairs the body’s immune system and makes it more difficult to recover from illnesses and other diseases. Ultimately, the alcohol keeps NyQuil from properly doing its job to help ease symptoms of your ailments. This can mean you continue having symptoms and your illness for much longer.
Dangers of NyQuil and Alcohol
- Over sedation and extreme drowsiness and sleepiness
- Elevated heart rate
- Upset stomach
- Suppressed respiratory system
- Hallucination and paranoid thoughts and behaviors
- Impaired judgment
- Reduced coordination
- Liver damage and liver disease
- Compromised immune system
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Do you have an addiction to NyQuil?
NyQuil is manufactured by the medication company Vicks. The commonly used flu and cold medication can be very effective when taken according to instructions and the recommendation of medical providers. In small amounts, NyQuil works as an effective cough suppressant with no risks of addiction. However, when taken in large amounts, users can experience hallucinations, impaired coordination and other effects similar to that of PCP. NyQuil and other substances containing DXM are often abused by teenagers and young people in an attempt to get high and achieve a sense of euphoria. When addiction becomes a threat, behavioral health treatment centers such as Hotel California by the Sea provide extensive care for clients battling a substance addiction.
We offer detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program. We also utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and medication-assisted treatment. The combination of medical and therapeutic methods can help our clients achieve their goals in rehab and understand the intricacies of their addiction. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping all of our clients overcome their addictions.
References:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/over-the-counter-drugs/nyquil
https://zinniahealth.com/substance-use/alcohol/with-nyquil
https://soberspeak.com/what-is-nyquil-abuse-and-addiction
https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/alcohol/risks-of-mixing-alcohol/mixing-nyquil-and-alcohol
https://fherehab.com/learning/is-nyquil-addictive
https://www.addictiongroup.org/blog/nyquil-alcohol/