The Complete Guide to Codeine Addiction Withdrawal
Codeine is an opioid-based prescription medication used to relieve pain and is available in the form of tablets and as an oral solution. It is commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain. Codeine is also used to relieve symptoms of diarrhea, coughs, and colds. Anyone can become addicted to codeine. Because codeine is so widely available, it is also one of the most commonly misused prescription drugs.
Taking codeine in excess can cause several side effects and severe consequences, including physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, addiction, and overdose. Fortunately, you do not need to face this challenge alone. With the proper knowledge and the right steps, you can free yourself from codeine.
How Does Codeine Work?
Codeine is an opiate that acts on the brain and the nervous system. It helps relieve pain, decreases inflammation, and produces feelings of relaxation. It is often used to relieve mild to moderate pain, including menstrual cramps and pain related to arthritis, headaches, and dental work. Codeine is an agonist of the opioid receptors in the brain and body, including the mu receptor. When misused, opioids like codeine can also produce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and a sense of well-being.
Codeine Drug Abuse Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of codeine abuse can vary from one individual to the next; however, some are relatively universal. Usually, when someone uses codeine for pain, the individual is prescribed the appropriate amount. However, some people will take more of the drug than they need.
Drowsiness
Drowsiness is one of the earliest and best-known side effects of codeine abuse. This medication can make people feel drowsy almost immediately after taking it, and it may increase with continued use. This drowsiness may interfere with normal functioning, making it difficult for a person to carry out both daily and work activities.
Slurred Speech
Slurred speech is a symptom of codeine drug abuse because it relaxes the muscles excessively. The person may also appear weak and have trouble walking, standing, or keeping their head up.
Impaired Judgment
Impaired judgment is one of the many symptoms of drug abuse. It includes both cognitive and behavioral aspects of judgment and decision-making.
How Long Does Codeine Stay in Your System?
It takes approximately one hour to feel the effects of codeine after it is ingested. The drug’s half-life is approximately 2.5 to three hours, meaning that it takes about three hours for half of a dose to be eliminated from the body. Although codeine has a relatively short half-life, its metabolites stay in your system for a significant amount of time. Codeine metabolites can typically be detected in the urine for two to three days and in the saliva for one to four days.
Signs of Codeine Dependence
Although someone abusing codeine will experience several side effects, the most common symptom is stomach pain. However, some signs of codeine abuse and dependence can include:
• Regularly taking more of the drug than prescribed
• Turning to the drug when in pain
• Struggling with cravings or anxiety when the drug is not taken
• Spending a lot of time thinking about the drug
Codeine Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Codeine withdrawal symptoms are the result of a sudden reduction in the drug. When you abruptly stop taking codeine, the drug that your body has released will cause several side effects. These include:
• Vomiting
• Fevers
• Muscle pain
• Shaking
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Runny nose and teary eyes
• Yawning
• Intense cravings
Overdose and Death From Codeine
Overdose and death from codeine are extremely rare. A few reports of deaths related to codeine have been linked to other factors, such as taking the drug with other drugs.
Levels of Care in Codeine Addiction Treatment
The best way to find the proper remedy is to work with a certified drug counselor. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity of the abuse and individual needs.
Drug Detox
When people begin codeine treatment, they usually start with detox. Codeine detox is when a person is weaned off of codeine and given medications to help them get rid of the drug. The length of the codeine withdrawal timeline will vary depending on the severity of the dependence. During drug detox, the individual will be given medications to help them get rid of the drug as quickly as possible.
Drug detox is a medically supervised process during which the individual will be monitored. A drug detox program will have a specialized staff of medical professionals to help the patient during the process. Some drug detox programs also have programs to help people cope with the emotional issues they are experiencing, such as depression and anxiety.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is when a person is weaned off of codeine and given medications to help them get off codeine. However, medical detox is not considered a detoxification program. This means that someone may be able to continue to work or attend school while undergoing medical detox. This is beneficial to people who wish to maintain normalcy in their lives while going through withdrawal.
Inpatient Rehab
People who struggle with codeine dependence may want to pursue inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment means that the individual will be living in a facility after they have gotten the acute withdrawal symptoms under control. The client will spend their days participating in individual and group therapy sessions, 12-step meetings, and other forms of therapy. The advantage of this treatment is that the individual will not be in the environment where the drug was taken, which may be dangerous for the individual. This is best for people who need to be totally removed from their environment in order to get clean.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient treatment means that the individual will receive treatment while functioning in the real world, such as at home or work. During outpatient treatment, the person will come to the treatment center either during the day or at night for their therapy sessions. They will still spend a significant time at the treatment center; however, they will go home to sleep at night. The advantage of outpatient treatment is that it is easier to maintain while functioning normally.
Aftercare
Aftercare is the process of helping people transition back into their daily lives after they have completed treatment. Aftercare may include resume-writing assistance, resume help, and job search assistance for those who became involved with drugs at a very early age and were never able to develop a career. Many drug users also benefit from aftercare in the form of sober living, where former drug users live together in a house and support each other on their recovery journeys.
Aftercare groups may also help an individual connect with support groups to receive treatment from others in a similar position and offer advice and support. There are alumni programs available where people in recovery can help each other through mutual support and networking.
Types of Treatment Therapies
There are different options to treat codeine addiction. The level of treatment will depend on your specific needs, the severity of your addiction, and your overall health.
Medical Assisted Treatment
When someone has a severe dependency on a narcotic drug, the individual may be referred to specialty treatment programs that only accept certain types of clients. In these specialized programs, clients are treated with medications such as methadone or buprenorphine. All clients in these programs require a prescription for these medications. These medications can only be legally distributed by a doctor in a specific treatment program that has been certified by the federal government to distribute these medications.
Online Counseling
Online counseling is a form of counseling where you meet with a professional online. You can have a one-on-one session with a counselor over video chat, email, or some other method of communication. This is an excellent option because it allows you to receive treatment at work or at home. You can also have help on demand when you need it most. Online counseling helps you fit treatment into your busy schedule without sacrificing your life.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is a type of counseling that helps you understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to your codeine dependency and why you abuse the drug. Individual therapy is when you meet with a therapist one-on-one in a clinical setting. You can meet with your therapist over the phone, in an office, or in a clinic.
Group Therapy
Group therapy can help you build a sense of community among people with similar challenges and goals. You can also exchange insight and experiences related to your codeine dependency and addiction.
Other Treatment Resources
Other programs specialize in treating opiate dependency. Typically, these programs provide detox and rehab services, allowing individuals to undergo a medically supervised withdrawal from codeine.
Teen Addiction
Teenagers and young adults are at risk of developing a codeine addiction because of their tendency to abuse prescription drugs. Teenagers are often curious about prescription drugs, making them more likely to experiment with codeine. Also, teenagers are more likely to misuse drugs that they have access to, and they often find and use prescription drugs that are prescribed to friends, family members, and friends of the family.
Additionally, individuals with mental health conditions such as depression or ADHD are more likely to abuse prescription drugs such as codeine because of a desire for medication. Codeine is not considered very addictive, but it can be misused and lead to dependence. Therefore, it is essential to address addiction as soon as it is suspected. Treatment services can be accessed through many different routes, both traditional and non-traditional. The most common treatment is through a rehabilitation center. However, detox services, outpatient treatment, and other less common treatment programs can also be used.
Friends and Family
It can be difficult to address your codeine dependency when surrounded by people taking the substance. If you are struggling with codeine dependence, it is essential to surround yourself with people willing to help you transition to a drug-free life. Friends and family members are an integral part of any person’s recovery process.
Support Groups
If you are struggling to stay away from codeine, it can be helpful to find other people who have the same challenge and can help each other through the process. Codeine support groups can be very beneficial because they offer you the chance to talk to others who are going through the same struggle and have found a way to overcome it.
Codeine has been used for many decades as a painkiller and cough medicine. However, if you are misusing codeine, you should seek help immediately. Regaining control of your life is possible when you attend treatment, and we are here to help.
