I abused DXM by downing large quantities of robitussin as a teenager/young adult. I literally used to steal 4-6 bottles from the store every day and I drank robitussin every single day (this is no exaggeration) for about three years. It caused a lot of problems (jail, etc.) and one of these problems was winding up in a psych ward and being diagnosed initially with “drug-induced psychosis,” but over time did not seem to get better. This was over two years ago and I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia recently and I am not sure if I actually have it or if it is just long after-effects from the drug. My symptoms include thinking virtually every conversation I hear in public has a secret meaning that is intended to point out my worthlessness.
However, I am aware of how this sometimes is irrational after the fact. So that leaves me with the question of if this is even a real symptom of schizophrenia at all.
Also, I hear voices but I have heard voices for a very long time (even before the DXM abuse) and it never inhibited my ability to function in life, which again raises the question of if this is a true symptom of schizophrenia or not.
I just want any input regarding if you guys think I just tripped way too much and am experiencing strange after-effects or if my diagnoses truly reflects a disorder that I could have. It should be also noted that I have only been diagnosed by two people who both diagnosed as “paranoid schizophrenia.”
Thank you in advance. [EDIT] I also have not taken DXM in over 2 years or so.
I had drug-induced psychosis when I was 17, but then it came back a year later, then again a few years later after that. I have no idea if the drugs were the cause of my illness, but I doubt it helped much. Stay clean though. I have been years without drugs now, and I can’t really say I miss them. They ■■■■■■ up my life big time, and caused so much pain for the people who care about me.
Never was diagnosed with drug induced psychosis. It was schizoaffective right off the bat, even though LSD and wellbutrin brought the psychosis out of me.
And that DXM stuff is nasty. How could you do that every day??? I did that once and hated it. Not trying to be a douche but I don’t get how you can do that stuff more than on an experimental basis. Peace and take care.
I tried DXM on accident once. I was in high school, had a cold, and didn’t want to go to school. My stepfather gave me a bottle of robitussin and said to take some then get to school. Thinking it would make me sick enough to miss school if I drink the whole bottle, I did so and tripped out most of the day. I only learned a few years later that what I did was called robotripping. On a brighter note, the cold I had at the time didn’t bother me much that day.
Also, I guess there are plateaus or levels based on how much you take on DXM. The final plateau (if you do it right) involves timing specific doses over the span of a day. The result is what seems like a very SZ like experience for a day after. I’ve never tried it, but erowid DOT org has info about it.
Personally, I think the voices are what triggered the doctors to DX you with SZ. That seems to be a big deciding factor for pdocs, even if it doesn’t hinder your daily life in any way. I read online that a significant portion of people (some number between 10% and 20%) hear voices and aren’t mentally ill because they don’t hinder their lives or functioning at all.
I’ve done DMX in the form of cold pills. The first time I did them I got really, really stoned, but I quickly built up a tolerance for them. It wasn’t long before they did nothing to me. I did some DMX not too long ago and got a decent high, but nothing like the first time I did it.