2. Cough Medication
Any local nightly news program has an almost monthly story on the dangers of cough syrup for teens. The drug is easy to get, coming in candy-like flavors like cherry and grape. It aims to help suppress a cough through the main ingredient Dextromethorphan (DXM).
Drugs containing DXM also often contain antihistamines and decongestants. DXM is actually an opioid, but it doesn’t have any of the pain-relieving effects of something like Oxycodone.
It works as a depressant and can cause the user hallucinations similar to that in PCP use.
Unlike the warmth of a marijuana sunshine daydream, these drug-induced moments can seem so euphoric to the user that it encourages return visits.
Because of this, cough syrup can be very addictive. Over long periods of time abusing cough syrup, the drug can cause liver damage.