| Substance addiction can come in many forms and | | | | increased auditory sensations and visual stimuli, and |
| widely differing materials. Aside from being addicted | | | | leads to a feeling of being disconnected and strange, |
| to illegal drugs and household chemicals, there is now | | | | erratic behavior. |
| an inexpensive alternative: cough syrup, as well as | | | | Among the foremost dangers in addictions of this |
| over the counter drugs, both of which can be | | | | type is how easy someone can get the materials, |
| acquired quite legally. The sad thing about it is that | | | | considering that it's legally purchased from drugstores. |
| the teens addicted to these drugs are abusing a | | | | Another scary factor is how cheaply it can be |
| substance that was originally created to heal sickness | | | | gotten, and considering the prices for illegal drugs, this |
| and alleviate pain. | | | | would seem like a no-brainer for most teens on tight |
| Cough syrup contains codeine, commonly used for | | | | budgets wanting to get high. |
| analgesic purposes. It can be extracted from opium | | | | A few dollars is all it takes to get high. The chemical |
| or synthesized from morphine, both of which are | | | | of choice for most of the youth is Dextromorphan, |
| addictive drugs in themselves. Prescription-grade | | | | also known as DXM, a substance found in many |
| cough syrup contains larger concentrations of this | | | | cough syrup formulations as well. This is what is |
| chemical. | | | | commonly referred to as "Skittles" in underground |
| A common effect is an altered state of mind and | | | | lingo, and may even cause heart palpitations if it is |
| sedation of the user, causing numbness. Users can | | | | abused. Medicine in tablet form contains much larger |
| easily go overboard as well, with overdose | | | | quantities of DXM; therefore a similar effect of |
| symptoms in common with other opiates. Some | | | | consuming large amounts of syrup could be |
| medicines also contain antihistamines that can cause | | | | duplicated by just a few tablets. |
| another sedative effect. | | | | Even cough syrup based drinks are easy to obtain, |
| Promethazine is also combined with codeine to | | | | because all it takes is some prescription cough syrup, |
| combat cough, but this is also a chemical that, on its | | | | a can of soda, a Styrofoam cup, and you're ready to |
| own, could also cause strong reactions in the user. It | | | | get high. This is a very simple process in comparison |
| is a sedative drug, and as normally goes with these | | | | to other types of drugs. Scary when you think of |
| types of chemicals, causes inhibited function in terms | | | | the implications. This is used as a recreational drink, |
| of vision, and being slowed and having slurred speech | | | | and the effect will depend on the amount of the |
| as well. Users describe this feeling as being "zazzed", | | | | cough syrup, the ratio of mixing, and what else you |
| when everything around you goes slowly. | | | | put in it, commonly other pain-relieving tablets. |
| Codeine in cough syrup is usually taken in a form | | | | Sleeping aids can also be addictive in large enough |
| called Purple Drank. The moniker comes from its | | | | doses, and could also have long-term effects on the |
| color, which usually ranges from purple to pink | | | | user. Narcolepsy is common, and causes episodes of |
| depending on the cough syrup used and the ratio of | | | | micro-sleep. This is particularly dangerous when |
| mixing it with other drinks such as sodas. | | | | driving, then falling asleep at the wheel. Diet pills being |
| This practice first gained influence in the southern | | | | taken in larger than prescribed doses to shed weight |
| states, and hip-hop artists popularized its use with the | | | | faster is also dangerous, because the effects on the |
| masses by including it in their songs. Effects include | | | | body are increased to a dangerous level. |