Codeine And Promethazine Addiction

Cough syzurup

For some people, getting high is an endless experimental pursuit and in the past few years, the powerful narcotic effect of a certain kind of cough syrup was discovered. Starting in Houston and spreading from there, cough syrup containing Codeine and Promethazine was taken up as the drug of choice in certain hip hop circles - with a special slow paced style of hip hop developing along side it echoing the alleged euphoric effect it has of slowing the world down for those on it.

Prescription Abuse

Cough syrup with Codeine and Promethazine is not the typical over-the-counter cough syrup however. It is available only by prescription, although as can be seen in the boom of abuse with other prescription medications, people find ways to beat the system.

Very Addictive

The reason that this drug is not available over the counter is because of the high potential for addiction. Codeine is a chemical that not only has anti-cough properties, but is also a powerful pain killer and sedative, being an opiate derivative like morphine or heroin. The addiction is powerful and withdrawal can be very painful and unpleasant, sometimes requiring medical detox. Over time the body stops producing its own natural pain killers or endorphins having become dependant on a steady artificial supply of pain killers. The body will also build a tolerance for the narcotic, and higher doses will be required to achieve a similar high.

Risks of Overdose

Promethazine is the other active ingredient and is an anti-histamine, but also has the role of fighting the nausea created by codeine. When this type of cough syrup is abused, it is taken in much higher doses than they were designed or meant for and overdosing can be a lethal mistake. Both Codeine and Promethazine can cause respiratory depression which basically means you don’t get enough oxygen and your body stops breathing. Drinking this syrup while taking other sedatives such as alcohol also compounds the dangers of fatal respiratory depression.

Codeine and Promethazine cough syrup is a potentially lethal and addictive drug. Although it may seem harmless since it is marketed as a cough syrup, on top of all the other dangers it can cause complications for those with other problems such as asthma and as a powerful sedative, it inherently makes driving a danger as well.