call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) for a free referral.
Codeine and promethazine are the two active ingredients in an often prescribed cough syrup medicine known as Phenergan with Codeine. In general, cough syrups are formulated to treat symptoms involving cough and congestion, but the stronger varieties employ added agents that may bring on unintended side effects.
As a natural derivative of opium, codeine comes with a high risk for abuse and addiction, whereas promethazine acts as an antihistamine agent. Promethazine carries no abuse or addiction potential; however, it can produce sedative-like effects that feed into codeine’s addiction potential.
In effect, codeine-promethazine addiction develops out its interactions with codeine in cases where cough syrup is used for recreational purposes. Understanding how codeine and promethazine addiction take shape can help you in spotting signs of a growing addiction problem.
Call our helpline at 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) for more information on codeine-promethazine addiction rehab programs.
Codeine-Promethazine Addiction Risks
Commonly referred to as “Purple Drank,” promethazine and codeine abuse has become a popular practice among teenagers and young adults. According to the U. S. Department of Justice, the effects of this combination resemble those of other forms of opiate abuse, producing feelings of euphoria and sedation that can easily pave the way for a a full-blown addiction to develop.
In effect, promethazine’s reinforcing effects can actually speed up the rate at which addiction develops compared to just taking codeine by itself.
Signs to Watch For
Increasing Dosage Amounts
The codeine-promethazine combination is abused for its euphoric and sedative effects.
The brain easily integrates codeine (in any form) within its chemical processes as codeine shares a similar chemical makeup with the brain’s neurotransmitter materials. According to Columbia University, these conditions give rise to increasing brain tolerance levels.
This means, someone who abuses cough syrup on a regular basis will have to keep increasing his or her dosage amounts in order to experience the desired intensity or “high” effects from the drug. Rising tolerance levels play an active role in a developing codeine-promethazine addiction problem.
Physical Dependence
Codeine-promethazine cough syrup effects not only interfere with the brain’s chemical environment, but also alter the brain’s chemical system over time. In effect, an altered chemical environment breeds imbalances that compromise the brain’s ability to regulate bodily functions as normal. In the process, a state of physical dependence starts to take shape.
With a growing physical dependence comes withdrawal episodes that bring on distressing physical and emotional symptoms. These symptoms may take the form of:
- Profuse sweating
- Problems sleeping
- Depression
- Anxiousness
- Lack of energy
- Restlessness
For most people, the temptation to take more cough syrup becomes overwhelming, which greatly increases codeine-promethazine addiction risks.
Psychological Dependence
Whereas physical dependence affects the body’s physical systems, psychological dependence targets the workings of the mind. With regular cough syrup use, growing brain chemical imbalances soon disrupt the areas of the brain that regulate thinking, emotions and behavior.
Once a psychological dependence takes hold, a codeine-promethazine addiction is at work. In this state, a person has come to believe he or she needs the drug to cope with daily life. Compulsive drug-seeking and drug-using behaviors are key signs of addiction.
For help with finding a treatment program that can help you overcome codeine-promethazine abuse, call our helpline at 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addiction counselors.
Codeine Street Names -
Codeine is an opiate modification that is prescribed by doctors for ailments that include minor to serious pain, chronic diarrhea, persistent cough and many others. Codeine is also one of the most widely abused drugs among young people due to the euphoric feeling it causes. It has also been highly publicized that popular rap artist ... 
Codeine Withdrawal -
When compared to other opiates, the withdrawal symptoms that present when an individual stops using codeine are more mild and tend to be easier to deal with. However, this isn’t always comforting information for the individual who is actually dealing with the withdrawal symptoms. The physical and psychological discomforts that persist when codeine is abruptly eliminated from ... 
5 Reasons to Get Treatment for Codeine Addiction -
Codeine addiction is not a character flaw, but, rather a disease where the brain functions have been changed from repeated codeine abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Years of research have shown that addiction to any drug (illicit or prescribed) is a brain disease that can be treated effectively. ” Codeine Effects ... 
Is Codeine Cough Syrup Addictive? -
Codeine cough syrups are prepared with codeine (an opioid cough suppressant) and other ingredients such as guaifenesin (an expectorant) or promethazine (an antihistamine) w/codeine in generic brands. An alarming trend, although not new, is the casual and recreational abuse of codeine cough syrups mixed with alcohol or sodas known as “sippin on syrup”. People who ... 
Signs of Codeine Addiction -
Codeine is a relatively weak narcotic that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of mild pain associated with injury, medical illness or routine dental treatments. The active ingredients in codeine are similar to those in other narcotics and include opiates that have been derived and synthesized from the opium poppy. The drug is not one of the ...