Cough syrup is something that seems fairly tame, right? Well for something that is used to help treat the common cold or cough, it’s something that can be dangerous if used too frequently. Cough syrup abuse is something that is certainly common and one that you should be aware of. Knowing what it is, what is used for and how it’s abused is important so that you and your loved ones can use it in a safe manner.
What Is Cough Syrup?
Codeine is a prescription opioid drug. It’s meant for treating mid pain and acts as a cough suppressant. Coughs can be highly annoying when you’ve got a cold or flu and so it’s good to take this cough syrup as a way to suppress the coughs. The syrup form also makes it one that is easy enough to digest for anyone and everyone instead of taking it in a tablet form that might be more difficult for some.
Cough Syrup Uses
Cough syrup is used to relieve coughs and these are often caused by various illnesses such as the common cold, bronchitis and other illnesses where breathing is difficult. It works by thinning and loosening mucus within the airways. This helps to clear congestion and also makes breathing a lot easier as a result. It works as a suppressant and therefore influences the brain to stop your body from sending those signals and urging you to cough.
It’s important to take caution over the dosage and that with children, you should ensure the type of cough syrup you buy is suitable for their age.
How Is It Abused?
Unfortunately, cough syrups have been widely abused for years, especially for those who are adults and are looking to get high or drunk. It means that they don’t need to steal alcohol or pay for illicit drugs that could get them into major trouble if caught.
As cough syrups are legal for purchase, it makes it very easy to buy whether that’s in-person or online. With that being said, many then buy it in bulk to use it and not for its original intent. An additional way of abusing this cough syrup is by mixing it with alcoholic beverages. This ends up creating a dangerous mix that has given it various street names such as the purple drank, lean, syrup or sizzurp.
If you or your loved one have started to take cough syrup and not for it’s intended use, then it’s essential you stop before you’re reliant on it. Like any drug, once you’re reliant, you’ll want more of it and by that point, it’s important to get help in order to get off this type of drug.
For cough syrup abuse, make sure you get help quickly and that you try to limit the amount you buy whenever you’d purchase it normally for a cough or cold. Cough medication should only be used for coughs and not to simply get that high or drunk feeling that most abusers of this cough syrup will do.
