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Most people worry about codeine addiction nowadays due to how easily people can access the medication over the counter. Many people begin consuming codeine to treat real medical issues like controlling pain or cough. However, prolonged use can lead to dependency and spiral into a full-fledged addiction.
The risks of codeine abuse can include the ability to control one's hand, being under the control of the person's mental state, and how they are treated by society.
Understanding “What is codeine” and how each of these factors impacts an individual is essential, and it helps prevent adverse and long-term codeine after effects.
What is Codeine?
What is codeine? Codeine is an opioid found in cough syrups and prescribed for pain relief after surgeries or illnesses like cancer. Often combined with acetaminophen, it comes in tablets, syrups, and liquids, widely used for pain management and cough suppression.
Once ingested, the liver converts codeine into morphine, which binds to opioid receptors in the brain. This triggers dopamine release, providing pain relief and mild euphoria. With repeated use, tolerance builds, requiring higher doses for the codeine side effects.
Dependence occurs when the body physically relies on codeine, causing withdrawal symptoms if stopped. Addiction, however, leads to compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences. Recognising this difference is crucial in preventing misuse and managing long-term risks.
How Does Codeine Addiction Develop?
In the early phases, codeine addiction can arise right out of medical necessity. In the long term, people tend to misuse their prescriptions, use codeine for non-medical purposes, or try to treat medical issues on their own. All of this leads to the slow onset of tolerance, dependence and ultimate addiction, which is extremely difficult to reverse and increases tolerance and the chance of experiencing dangerous effects of codeine on the body.
Prescription Misuse
Many people become addicted to codeine by exceeding prescribed doses or using it without a medical need. This misuse increases the body's tolerance, requiring more significant amounts to cause serious codeine side effects. Eventually, dependency and addiction set in, making quitting difficult.
Recreational Use & Self-Medication
Some individuals use codeine recreationally to experience euphoria or as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or pain. This self-medication can quickly spiral into addiction as the codeine effects on brain become reliant on codeine for pleasure or relief from emotional distress.
Tolerance, Dependence & Withdrawal Cycle
With prolonged use, the body develops tolerance, meaning higher doses are needed for the same effect. Dependence follows, where stopping codeine use leads to withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, muscle pain, and anxiety. This codeine after effects creates a cycle that's hard to break without professional help.
Symptoms of Codeine Addiction
Recognising the symptoms of codeine addiction is crucial for early intervention. Symptoms can be behavioural, physical, or psychological, affecting various aspects of a person's life.
Behavioural Symptoms
People struggling with codeine addiction may engage in doctor shopping—visiting multiple doctors to obtain prescriptions. They may also exhibit secretive behaviour, lying about their usage or hiding their medication. Financial problems can arise due to excessive spending on codeine.
Physical Symptoms
Common physical signs of codeine addiction include persistent drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. More severe codeine side effects include slowed breathing, which can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening in cases of overdose.
Psychological Symptoms
Codeine effects on brain and can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and frequent mood swings. Individuals may experience heightened irritability, restlessness, or emotional instability, further fuelling their dependence on the drug.
How Codeine Addiction Affects the Body
Addicts of codeine risk compromising their health severely by overdosing and even dying due to the short and long-term effects of codeine on the body.
Short-Term Effects
Users of this drug may experience codeine side effects such as long-term drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and constipation. These effects can hinder day-to-day functioning like going to work or driving. A sense of dry mouth, itching and euphoric feelings are also reported.
Long-Term Health Risks
Prolonged use of codeine can damage the liver, especially when it is taken with medication containing acetaminophen. In the long run, this may develop into life-threatening respiratory depression. Use of opioids can also cloud a person's ability to think and remember. It may also show up destructive codeine effects on the brain.
Risk of Overdose & Death
Being heavily dosed with codeine, or mixing it with alcohol, can easily lead to overdose. Signs of it include excessive drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, and slowed breathing. Medical attention is of utmost requirement in such scenarios.
Codeine Withdrawal & Detox
Withdrawal symptoms commonly appear when dependents of codeine stop using the drug. Withdrawing from codeine medication requires careful qualification and is best managed under a supervised environment.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
These are often accompanied by insomnia, excessive sweating, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and severe anxiety, distressing the codeine after effects. Some people tend to be irritable and restless and feel flu symptoms too.
Timeline of Codeine Withdrawal
The initial retching symptoms are harsh and may accompany each and every movement. Severe symptoms for the most part set in 4 to 8 hours after the final dosage of medication.
One is bound to retch uncontrollably and experience violent shivers for 72 hours. Relaxation reveals abnormal levels of discomfort, and mild symptoms start to appear, commanding you to alleviate them.
Painfully blue periods balanced with pathetic outbreaks increase too. Getting back to baseline leaves you feeling numb with a cramping stomach, dread and guilt hanging above you.
Why Medical Detox is Recommended
Medical detox provides professional supervision to manage withdrawal safely. Doctors may prescribe medications to ease symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent complications like dehydration or relapse. A structured detox plan ensures a smoother transition into long-term recovery and lowers the risk of severe withdrawal effects.
Diagnosis of Codeine Addiction
Healthcare professionals diagnose codeine addiction through clinical evaluation, patient history, and DSM-5 criteria. Signs like cravings, withdrawal, and continued use despite harm help determine the severity. Early diagnosis enables timely intervention and better recovery outcomes.
Clinical Assessment & Patient History
Physicians analyse a patient's codeine use to determine if there is a history of misuse, escalating doses, or unsuccessful attempts at cessation, which may reflect serious effects of codeine on the body. Other symptoms of dependence and associated health conditions must also be assessed.
DSM-5 Criteria for Opioid Use Disorder
The DSM-5 establishes guidelines that include cravings, lost control, usage of the substance despite adverse outcomes, and onset of withdrawal symptoms as indicators for opioid use disorder. One has to fulfil specific criteria to be diagnosed with an addiction.
Physical & Psychological Evaluations
Physicians carry out specialised medical examinations that look for signs of shivering, withdrawal and dependency. Psychological evaluations assist in diagnosing the prevalent mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, which tend to accompany the addictive behaviour.
Screening Tools & Questionnaires
CAGE-AID questionnaire and Opioid Risk Tool are examples of screening tools that enable professionals and patients to assess the level of risk of addiction. They measure the frequency of use of different substances and the possibility of dependency.
Importance of Early Diagnosis
Recognising an addiction early provides an opportunity for timely intervention which significantly reduces the chance of suffering from severe health complications. The sooner an addiction is diagnosed, the greater the chances of successful treatment and recovery in the long term.
Treatment Options for Codeine Addiction
There are many different medical treatment options available to help patients overcome addiction to codeine, such as detoxification, behavioural therapy, and holistic medicine approach.
Medical Detox & Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
The first stage in treatment is medical detox, which helps individuals manage withdrawal symptoms while being under the supervision of medical professionals.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is when one uses buprenorphine or methadone to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms while preventing relapse to codeine addiction.
Behavioural Therapy & Counselling
Behavioural therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) help individuals overcome addiction by changing habitual behaviours. Individual and group therapy provide support, while the 12-Step Program fosters accountability for lasting recovery.
Holistic & Alternative Therapies
Mindfulness and meditation help in alleviating stress and controlling urges. Non-traditional methods like art therapy help with emotional healing while exercise and proper nutrition assist with physical recuperation.
Inpatient vs Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is best used for severe addiction cases as patients require intensive care. Relatively milder addiction patients can use outpatient treatment which allows patients to receive therapy while also maintaining daily activities, be it work or responsibilities at home.
Relapse Prevention & Long-Term Recovery
There is a need for a commitment and lifestyle change to prevent relapse. These strategies can include responsible prescription use, awareness of codeine's dangers, therapy, and a dependable support network.
Exercising, meditation, and a proper daily schedule can be effective in maintaining prolonged sobriety.
Myths & Misconceptions About Codeine Addiction
Myth: "It's Just a Prescription Drug, So It's Safe."
Underestimating the danger that prescription drugs pose can be harmful, especially with codeine and the risks of addiction, overdose, and withdrawal symptoms.
Myth: "You Can Quit Codeine Addiction with Willpower Alone."
Without the proper medical attention coupled with therapy and a support system addiction can be nearly impossible to overcome.
Myth: "You Can Never Recover From An Addiction."
Addiction and dependency can be conquered with appropriate intervention and assistance. Numerous people accomplish sobriety after addiction treatment and rehabilitation and subsequently lead fulfilling lives.
How Cadabam's Support Can Help Your Recovery Journey
Cadabam's offers a multi-faceted approach to help patients recover from codeine addiction through medically supervised detox, rehabilitative therapy, and holistic treatment.
Their specialist team provides tailored treatment plans for each individual with a focus on comprehensive physical and mental health. With adequate support, individuals are able to overcome addiction and reconstruct their lives.
If you are searching for a solution to your problem, Cadabam’s Anunitha’s De-Addiction Centre can help you with its team of specialised experts. We have been helping thousands of people live healthier and happier lives for 30+ years. We leverage evidence-based approaches and holistic treatment methods to help individuals effectively with codeine addiction. Get in touch with us today. You can call us at +91 96111 94949.
