Cough Syrup Abuse

If you or a loved one is struggling with cough syrup abuse, it can be difficult to find support. Addiction to cough syrup is serious and can be difficult to address. Detox and professional addiction treatment can offer you the guidance and structure necessary to achieve sobriety.

Over the counter cough syrups, which are accessible without a prescription, usually, contain dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is an opioid, but it does not interact with opiate receptors and does not treat pain. Certain cough syrups, available only with a prescription, have codeine as an active ingredient. Codeine is a highly addictive opiate and impacts opiate receptors in the brain. Specifically, cough syrups that contain codeine are the key psychoactive ingredient in lean, which is a type of drink that contains soda and codeine cough syrup. The drink is abused as a recreational drug and can cause dependency and addiction. Learning about the signs of opiate addiction can help identify codeine cough syrup abuse.

Cough Syrup Abuse

The active, opioid-based ingredients in both over the counter and prescription cough suppressants can lead to abuse. This substance can create feelings ranging from disassociation and hallucinations to euphoria. In addition, dextromethorphan is a depressant that can create hallucinogenic effects that are similar to drugs like ketamine, salvia, and PCP. For instance, dextromethorphan can create an out of body experience, where you feel like you are separated from your physical body. Compared to other over the counter medications, dextromethorphan has powerful side effects.

On the other hand, codeine interacts with different receptors than dextromethorphan. Codeine is an opiate that increases the release of dopamine and creates feelings of relaxation, happiness, and euphoria. Like other opiates, codeine addiction often requires professional opiate addiction treatment. Accordingly, codeine cough syrup abuse can result in troublesome withdrawal symptoms and post-acute withdrawal.

Risks of Abusing Cough Syrup

Cough syrup abuse can result in serious physical, mental, and emotional problems. In particular, most cough syrups contain high levels of aspirin which damages the liver after repeated and long-term use. Additionally, abuse often leads to liver disease and other liver ailments. In the same manner as other opiates, the codeine in prescription cough syrup creates severe withdrawal symptoms. In rare cases, users can experience long term or chronic psychosis that requires medical treatment. Above all, identifying the signs of abuse can help you decide when to seek professional treatment.

Common side effects of cough syrup abuse include:

• Impaired judgment
• Addiction and withdrawal symptoms
• Risk of a life-threatening overdose
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Memory problems
• Delusions
• Mood changes, such as depression, irritability, and anxiety

Finding Treatment for Cough Syrup Abuse

Finding treatment for cough syrup abuse can be difficult. Beaches Recovery has an addiction treatment program for you or your loved one. Whether you need a long-term inpatient program or are looking for outpatient addiction treatment, we create a program around your needs. Investigating treatment options is an important step toward recovery.

If you are looking for the best cough syrup addiction treatment Jacksonville FL offers, Beaches Recovery has a long-standing history of providing effective, safe, and compassionate care to those struggling with cough syrup abuse. Call us today at 866.605.0532for more information about how our addiction programs and services can help you or a loved one achieve recovery.