Addiction can be spread in many forms and in a broad sense of various materials. In addition to adding to illicit drugs and household chemicals, there is currently an inexpensive alternative: cough syrup, as well as drugs that can be taken legally. The sad thing is that adolescents addicted to these drugs are abusing the substance that was originally created to treat the disease and alleviate pain.
Cough syrup contains codeine, commonly used for painkillers. It can be extracted from opium or synthesized from morphine, both of which are themselves drugs. Prescription cough syrup contains large concentrations of this chemical.
The overall effect is an altered state of mind and calming the user, causing numbness. Users can easily go overboard, as well as with overdose symptoms along with other opiates. Some medicines also contain antihistamines, which can cause another sedative effect.
Promethazine is also combined with codeine to combat cough, but it is also a chemical that, by itself, can also cause strong reactions in the user. It is a soothing medicine, and, as a rule, with these types of chemicals, causes a delayed function in terms of vision and slows down, as well as slurred speech. Users describe this feeling as “jagged” when everything around you is slow.
Codeine in cough syrup is usually taken in a form called Purple Drank. The nickname is derived from its color, which usually varies from purple to pink, hanging on cough syrup, and the ratio of mixing with other drinks, such as soda.
This practice first gained influence in the southern states, and hip-hop artists popularized its use with the masses, incorporating it into their songs. Effects include increased auditory sensations and visual stimuli and lead to a sense of disconnection and strange, erratic behavior.
Among the main dangers in dependencies of this type is how easily someone can get the materials, given that it is legally acquired in pharmacies. Another scary factor is how cheap it is, and, given the prices of illegal drugs, it would seem useless to most teenagers in conditions of tight budgets who want a high level.
A few dollars is all you need to get up. The chemical of choice for most young people is Dextromorphan, also known as DXM, a substance found in many cough syrup formulations. This is what is commonly called "Skittles" in the underground jargon, and can even cause heart palpitations if it is abused. Medicine in pill form contains much larger amounts of DXM; therefore, a similar effect of consuming a large amount of syrup can be duplicated with just a few pills.
Even drinks based on cough syrup are easy to get, because all that is required is cough syrup, rosin, a cup of expanded polystyrene, and you will be ready to rise. This is a very simple process compared to other types of drugs. It is terrible when you think about the consequences. This is used as a recreational drink, and the effect will depend on the amount of cough syrup, the mixing ratio and what else you put into it, usually other painkillers.
Sleepy products can also be addictive in large doses, and can also have a long-term effect on the user. Narcolepsy is common and causes microstate episodes. This is especially dangerous when driving, and then falls asleep at the wheel. Diet pills taken in larger than prescribed doses for weight loss faster are also dangerous because the effect on the body increases to a dangerous level.
