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Why Codeine is a Popular Choice Among Addicts

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Codeine is an opiate that is combined with several other drugs to make either a pain killer or cough syrup. This mild opiate has recently become more popular among those that use opiates for a variety of reasons.

Codeine is Easier to Obtain than Most Other Opiates

Doctors and dentists prescribe codeine for minor and outpatient surgeries. Codeine is one of the easiest of the opiates to get because of its association with Tylenol and its use in prescription cough syrup. It is also less regulated and therefore prescribed more.

If you find yourself going to the doctor just to obtain codeine, you are probably addicted and in need of treatment. To discuss your treatment options call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) .

Codeine Comes in a Cough Syrup

Many people start using codeine cough syrup due to a severe cough. Large bottles of this cough syrup are usually what is dispensed. Once a person finishes the bottle, they sometimes find themselves craving it. If other risk factors are present, they may even become addicted to it.

The Codeine Cough Syrup is Easy to Mix

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people are choosing to use codeine cough syrup to get high because it is easy to mix with other liquids or candy. Popular names for this are:

  • Syrup
  • Purple Drank
  • Sizzurp
  • Lean
Popular Choice

Codeine is prescribed more easily than other opiate-based drugs.

The practice of mixing codeine with alcohol or other liquid drugs, including OTC cough medicine containing Dextromethorphan is an emerging trend in the drug addiction world.

Some People Believe you Cannot Overdose on Codeine

Since codeine is only a schedule III drug, some people believe that you cannot overdose on codeine. This is simply not true. Codeine overdose is very possible and more likely because people are not as careful about taking it.

They often mix large amounts of codeine with alcohol and more dangerous drugs, increasing their chance of overdose. It is important to get help before the addiction reaches this point.

They used Codeine as a Child and Remember the Euphoria

The remembered reward of euphoria leads people to try codeine in a more recreational way later on. It is easy to become addicted this way because the pathways in the brain are already formed. Once this happens one of the only ways to stop the addiction is through treatment for the addiction.

Some People See Codeine as Nonthreatening or Nonaddictive

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, codeine has a moderate to low risk of abuse; because of this many people see codeine as nonthreatening. If government agencies such as the DEA view it as low risk, people view it as low risk despite the warnings to the contrary.

Finding Addiction Treatment for a Codeine Addiction

If you find yourself addicted codeine, for whatever reason, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Codeine is still an opiate and opiate addiction is one of the hardest to break without help. To find the help that you need to end the addiction call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) .

The Risks of Codeine Drug Addiction and How Treatment Helps

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By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.

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