It is no secret that rappers love cough syrup. The drink has become synonymous with the hip-hop scene, and many rappers have even named their songs after it. But what many people don’t know is that cough syrup can be addictive, and that some rappers have developed a serious addiction to it.

In 2010, rapper Lil Wayne was hospitalized after suffering from seizures that were caused by his cough syrup addiction. He had been drinking up to six bottles of cough syrup a day, and the high doses of codeine in the syrup had begun to take a toll on his health. Lil Wayne is just one example of how cough syrup addiction can ruin a rapper’s career and health.

There are many other rappers who have been affected by cough syrup addiction. In 2012, rapper Pimp C died from a codeine overdose. Such deaths and hospitalizations are a stark reminder that cough syrup addiction can be deadly.

If you or someone you know is struggling with cough syrup addiction, there is help available. There are many resources that can provide support and treatment options. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get help.

A drug rehab center can help with a cough syrup addiction. Call us today at 855.478.3650 to learn more.

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Why Cough Syrup?

Many teens abuse these drugs for many reasons such as it is easy to acquire. Common cold medications are legal so there is no age limit when buying certain ones. If you do not have any, the chances are that you neighbors, friends, or relatives will have them in their bathroom for you to steal. It is easy to get higher dose tablets like Coricidin or Walgreens Flu BP. They are much cheaper to buy compared to buying illicit drugs from a drug dealer.

Teens also feel more comfortable trying a legal brand name that they have heard before and it is legal to carry around. Parents, unfortunately, are not aware of the serious side effects that the medication could have. They may feel that if their kids are depend on anything, it is better if it is something legal and safer compared to illicit drugs.

Signs and Symptoms of Cough Syrup Addiction

DXM can be sold in bulk outside of the U.S. and is resold in smaller doses by drug dealers. Cough syrup can also be used as a gateway drug to more illicit drugs when teens graduate high school. They may feel like taking excessive doses of cough syrup is beneath them and can get a rapid high from one hit of an illegal drug. The effects that cough syrup can have includes:

Impaired vision
Sweating
Fever
Rapid breathing
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Nausea
Vomiting
Impaired judgment
Memory loss
Hallucinations
Coma

This addiction can result in overdoses as the central nervous system shuts down as well as can cause liver damage, heart attack, stroke, and death. It is also possible to injure yourself when you are high. This happens because your consciousness is altered. As a result, impaired vision and hallucinations can lead to irrational and dangerous behavior. When you combine cough syrup with illicit drugs like ecstasy could come with fatal results.

If your child becomes unresponsive, is vomiting, sweating, pale face, and develops fast, slow, or irregular pulse, you need to get your child emergency medical attention. As a parent, it is important for you to understand that just because something is legal does not mean it is always safe to use in excessive amounts.

Preventative Measures

To protect your kids from developing a cough syrup addiction, clean out your medicine cabinet. In the process, keep an eye on the amount of medicine that is in each bottle or package. If you child has a cold and they need medicine, give them the doctor prescribed dose and supervise them as they take the medication. Do not buy more over the counter medications for the purpose of stocking up as it will make it easier for kids to get hold of them. Lock up the medication in a storage cabinet to prevent your children from getting their hands on it.

You should be aware of what your kids look up online. For example, how much time do they spend one websites promoting DXM abuse? These sites often discuss how to achieve certain levels of high. Check the kind of people that your child hangs out with. See if their parents are aware of any medications that are missing from their medicine cabinets and aware of the dangers their child can face from cough syrup abuse.

You also need to educate your children on the dangerous effects that too much cough syrup can have on them. Read them the label that explains all of the risks. Discuss celebrities they admire who suffered the consequences of addiction. Educate children and keep these medications out of their reach unless they are suffering from a cold. By doing so, you could be saving their life. It may also prevent them from wanting to experiment with illicit drugs at the same time.

Cough Syrup Addiction Treatment Works

Located in Tacoma, Washington, Bayview Center’s mission is to offer clinically-driven programs and services to treat a number of substance abuse disorders. We also treat anxiety and depression using: