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Codeine

Codeine Addiction

Last updated on April 25th, 2022 at 09:31 am

Many people believe that just because they are prescribed codeine, it is safe and not addictive. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case – as codeine is habit-forming. In 2020, there were 212 [i] deaths in England and Wales from codeine drug poisoning.

Codeine is an addictive substance and can produce both physical cravings and psychological cravings which can lead to you continuing to use codeine.

In time, you can build up a tolerance to codeine which can lead to you taking more codeine to feel the same effect, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. People who have a codeine/ opioid dependence/ codeine addiction may seek to buy codeine illegally. [ii]

If you think you may have an addiction to codeine, you may benefit from attending a codeine rehab treatment centre to help you overcome the withdrawal symptoms and beat the codeine addiction.

However, the first step is learning about codeine addiction. Read on to learn more about codeine addiction, and how Help4Addiction can help you.

 

What is Codeine?

Codeine is a prescription drug and belongs to the opiate group of medicines known as opiates. Like many prescription drugs, codeine affects the central nervous system – causing the brain to block certain signals to the rest of your body. Codeine binds to opioid receptors within your CNS (central nervous system), which helps to relieve pain and lower your reaction to pain. [iii]

You may get prescribed codeine to treat mild pain to moderate pain. Codeine usually comes in a pill form, but can also come as a liquid that you swallow. In some cases, you may be given a codeine injection. However, these are only usually given in hospital settings.

 

The Effects of Codeine

As well as making you feel relaxed and relieving pain, codeine can also have negative effects – especially when you abuse codeine. Like all prescription drugs, they should be taken as per the doctor’s instructions.

Codeine can make you feel constipated – and as your tolerance increases, the side effects likely won’t resolve. You may also experience nausea or vomiting when taking codeine – however, this will likely cease after a few days of your body getting used to the codeine.

It isn’t recommended that you take codeine while pregnant, as you may experience unfavourable outcomes such as low birth weight, premature birth, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, and even neonatal death. Taking codeine when pregnant can result in newborn babies being born dependent on codeine.

Some other common effects of codeine include blurred vision, cramps in the abdomen, weakness, tremors, fatigue, and general weakness. You might also experience sexual dysfunction or decreased libido [iv], which could lead to marital issues or problems within your relationship.

 

Is Codeine Dangerous?

Codeine can be particularly dangerous if you have issues with your breathing, or if you have severe asthma or asthma attacks. This is because codeine can cause slow breathing which can result in death – especially in younger children. Don’t give codeine to children under the age of 18 years old – if a child ingests codeine by accident, treat this as a medical emergency.

Avoid taking codeine if you have a blockage in your stomach or your intestines. Codeine breaks down in your liver quickly and can ready higher than normal levels inside your body – which can be very dangerous.

Codeine is addictive – and can be dangerous if you develop a mental or physical dependence and take large amounts. Too much codeine can be poisonous, and lead to what is known as a codeine overdose.

 

What is Codeine Used For?

Many people think codeine is only used to relieve pain – although this is the most common reason people use codeine, it can also be used to treat diarrhoea.

The recommended dose when using codeine to treat acute diarrhoea is 30mg three or four times a day. However, you may be prescribed high doses of up to 60mg.

You may also be prescribed codeine if you have a particularly dry or painful cough. In this instance, you may take it via the mouth through a linctus. The recommended dose for this is 15-30mg three or four times a day. [v]

 

Treat Pain – Moderate Pain

Codeine is often prescribed to treat mild to moderate pain/ moderately severe pain. As codeine affects your central nervous system, it can leave you feeling relaxed and relieve pain. It can be used to treat mild to moderate pain as well as diarrhoea and relieve the anxiety and stress associated with pain.[vi]

You can use codeine to treat pains that other pain killers (for example ibuprofen or paracetamol) fail to relieve.

When using codeine to treat mild pain to moderately severe pain, you should always follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take codeine safely. Codeine classes as an opioid – and opioids are known as pain relievers.

Codeine is considered a highly addictive substance, so prolonged use can lead to codeine addiction and codeine dependence. This means you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if you lower your dose or if you stop taking codeine. Read on to learn more about codeine withdrawal.

 

Codeine Withdrawal

As codeine is addictive and is possible to develop codeine dependence, you may experience codeine withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking codeine.

If you’re currently taking codeine and you want to stop, discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor should tell you how to reduce the dose gradually. [vii] However, it can be difficult to stop taking opioids such as codeine – which is why we can find you the right opioid addiction treatment for you.

 

Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms

Codeine withdrawal symptoms are often comorbid with other opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, the withdrawal symptoms you experience can depend on a variety of factors – including the severity of your addiction, the length of your addiction, whether you’re taking other medications, and personal circumstances such as your height or weight.

Some common codeine withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Stomach cramps
  • Muscle aches
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Fever
  • Irritability and agitation
  • Runny nose
  • High blood pressure
  • Chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea

 

Codeine Addiction Treatment

At Help4Addiction, we can help you find the right codeine addiction treatment for you. With relationships with many addiction treatment centres around England and Wales, we can find the best place for you to beat your codeine addiction.

If you have an addiction to codeine, other opiates or other drugs, contact us today to discuss your treatment options.

 

Detox

The first stage of the treatment process involves a detox from the drug – which means ridding your body of the drug.

During this stage, all access to codeine will be cut off to allow your body to detox successfully. You may experience withdrawal symptoms when you first enter treatment, but these should ease with time.

 

Therapy

Once you have successfully stopped taking codeine and detoxed from the drug, you can move on to the next stage of codeine addiction therapy.

You may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or counselling. This can help you gain an understanding of your addiction and improve your mental health. Improving your mental health is an important step of rehab, and can help to prevent relapse.

 

Secondary Treatment

After completing codeine rehab, you may want to continue treatment on an outpatient basis so you can receive continual support. This can be in the form of extended counselling sessions, group therapy, or attending support groups.

 

[i] https://www.statista.com/statistics/470902/death-by-codeine-drug-poisoning-in-england-and-wales/

[ii] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/codeine/about-codeine/

[iii] https://patient.info/medicine/codeine-for-pain-relief

[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526029/

[v] https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/codeine-phosphate.html

[vi] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/codeine/about-codeine/

[vii] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5753.pdf

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Codeine Medicine Addictive?

Codeine can be considered a strong drug. It is addictive and is not suitable for recreational use.

Is Prescription Codeine Safe?

Many people believe codeine may be safe for their health, but the use of it can be dangerous for people with respiratory problems – and can result in a coma if taken excessively. This risk increases especially when codeine has been mixed with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol or opioids, and other drugs.

Alcohol and Codeine

Last updated on April 14th, 2022 at 10:59 am

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr Robert Lefever, a world-leading addictions specialist.

Alcohol is categorised as a depressant. Its effect on the brain system qualifies it as a central nervous system depressant. However, it can cause both sedative and stimulant effects depending on the amount of consumption. When used in low quantities, alcohol can provide feelings of relaxation and lower anxiety. On the other hand, alcohol impairs and slows down both physical and physiological processes when used excessively. For example, it impairs judgment and coordination.

If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction or dependence, please feel free to contact us to get a medical assessment. Our trained professionals use evidence-based treatment methods for all types of addiction.

Alcohol interaction with medicine

The danger of mixing alcohol with certain medications is real. There are more than a hundred drugs that interact with alcohol. The interaction can cause harmful effects such as head pains, dizziness, vomiting, and poor coordination. In worst cases, it can lead to breathing problems, heart complications, and internal breathing.

To prevent dangerous alcohol and medication interaction, manufacturers explicitly warn on the label against mixing alcohol and the medicine. In some cases, alcohol renders the treatment utterly ineffective in the body.

Codeine is one such medicine that, which when mixed with alcohol, can lead to life-threatening problems. Therefore, before doctors prescribe it to a patient, they are incredibly cautious and tend to inquire about a patient’s history with alcohol.

What is codeine?

Codeine is classified as an opioid. It is used to relieve pain. Opioids are some of the most addictive substances in the world. Also known as Opiates, Opioids are derived from Opium and are known to be among the most commonly abused drugs in medication. Opioids interfere with the normal function of the brain by binding the neuro-receptors. As a result, they relieve extreme pain to people suffering from pain. For the reason that they effectively eliminate pain, they are commonly used as painkillers.

Why is codeine medication prescribed?

Codeine is a medicine commonly taken as a tablet, but it is also taken in prescription cough syrups and other drugs. Just like other Opioids, it functions by inhibiting neuro- receptors hence effectively relieving the pain. Simply put, it acts by changing the way the nervous system and the brain react to pain.

Codeine is a painkiller. It is used to treat pain, especially after an operation or an injury. Also, when pain killers such as paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen have failed to reduce pain effectively, codeine is used for long-standing pain. Codeine is available as a tablet, a liquid, or an injection.

For a long time, codeine has been used to suppress cough. In cough syrup, it functions by tinkering with the brain, leading to decreased coughing.

In medication, codeine should be taken strictly and only when prescribed by a doctor. Taken without a doctor’s prescription, it may cause harmful complications to specific groups of people, including children under 12 years, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and people with pre-existing health conditions such as low blood pressure, allergies, and drugs addiction.

People using codeine in medication have exhibited the following symptoms:

  • Memory loss
  • Loss of coordination
  • Euphoric feeling
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue

What are the adverse side effects of codeine medication?

Some people may negatively react to codeine medication. Those who experience the below side effects are advised to stop taking codeine medicine immediately and seek medical attention.

  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Noisy or difficulty breathing
  • Itching and rashes
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Weakness and dizziness
  • Changes in vision
  • Agitation and hallucinations
  • Seizures
  • Stomach pain
  • Difficulty urinating

Why is codeine dangerous?

Unlike many other Opioids, codeine is considerably weaker. However, being weaker than most other Opioids makes it no less dangerous. Many individuals find the relaxation, euphoric feeling, and pain-killing effects of Opioids to be highly gratifying. Due to the pleasurable effect, many people are drawn to use them. In addition, opioids significantly alter brain chemistry in a short time, making them highly addictive.

Starting as a prescription drug, users tend to crave more drugs to experience pleasurable feelings. Unfortunately, the user’s tolerance of the drugs grows. To beat drug tolerance, users tend to overdose to share the same feelings. Even though many governments increased restrictions on the selling of codeine, it is still available in many over-the-counter. Though not considered to be as addictive and dangerous as most Opioids, it is still abused. The most significant danger is that it is a common link to more problematic Opioids.

How is codeine abused?

Over the years, codeine in cough syrup was mainly abused by teenagers who had no access to alcohol. Due to its availability over-the-counter, teenagers would purchase it to get high or drunk. However, currently, there are many restrictions on its sale and who is allowed to buy it. Still, some of those using codeine medication have been abusing it by overdosing to experience the euphoria and relaxation effects in it.

In an unprecedented manner, the patterns of codeine abuse are changing. Emerging is a disturbing pattern of mixing cough syrup containing codeine with soda. The mixture is dangerous and intoxicating. As a result, the mixture has been given street names such as syrup, lean, and purple drinks.

Another common abuse is mixing codeine and alcohol. Used together with other substances that affect the central nervous system, such as alcohol, can cause serious effects, including respiratory depression, low blood pressure, coma, and death.

Mixing of codeine with alcohol

Both alcohol and codeine are addictive substances. However, when codeine is prescribed and controlled, it’s considered not to be too dangerous. Despite that, mixing alcohol and codeine can lead to life-threatening effects.

As a precaution in the prescription of codeine, users are strictly warned against taking alcohol. The doctor has first to inquire whether the user is an alcoholic before prescribing codeine medication. Regardless, it is not uncommon for a person taking codeine to take alcohol—mixing alcohol when under codeine prescription poses significant risks and dangers to the users.

Particularly popular among young people is the intentional mixing of alcohol with codeine for pleasure. Young people are attracted by the fact that alcohol substantially increases the highness of opioids such as codeine. The euphoric and relaxed feeling produced by codeine painkillers is amplified by alcohol.

What are the potential risks of mixing alcohol and codeine?

When codeine and alcohol are used together, their respective effects are enhanced. Alcohol inhibits neurotransmitters and lowers nerves signal along the pathway. Typically, alcohol on its own can cause effects such as slurred speech, slowed reaction times, blurred vision, and lowered critical thinking. On the other hand, codeine inhibits the neurotransmitters involved in the transmission of pain. Adverse side effects of codeine use include weakened pulse, hallucinations, seizures, difficulty in urination, slow heart rate, and dizziness.

What are the effects of mixing alcohol and codeine?

As central nervous depressants, both codeine and alcohol can produce severe and harmful side effects when used together. The following are some of the impact:

  • Memory loss
  • Seizures
  • Loss of coordination
  • Euphoria
  • Sedation
  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Cravings and addiction.
  • Extreme fatigue and drowsiness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Respiratory depression
  • Fainting
  • Coma, and in worst case death

Why do people mix alcohol and codeine?

Due to negligence, some people who have codeine prescriptions by a doctor may opt not to follow the instructions given. Instead, they choose to take alcohol while under codeine medication.

Amongst young people, the culture of mixing cough syrup is slowly gaining popularity due to the enhanced high feelings. Partly, the availability of codeine over-the-counter also contributes to young people accessing it.

Can a mixture of alcohol and codeine be addictive?

Alcohol lowers the rate of metabolism of codeine, therefore, increasing codeine’s effects. When both alcohol and codeine are present in the brain, they produce euphoric and pleasurable feelings since they are neurotransmitters. However, as the drug wears off, the reduction of neurotransmitters causes an individual to feel depressed. In reaction, the body system, specifical dopamine, triggers the craving of the drugs that made the body feel food in the first place, leads to a person wanting more drugs and ultimately addiction.****

Can a person overdose on alcohol and codeine?

Separately, alcohol and codeine are addictive. Therefore, users will have the urge to want more and more. Further, the mixture’s high feeling and relaxation effect push users to keep pursuing it to the extent of overdosing.

Over time, the body will grow a tolerance to the substance. It means a person will not feel the same effects on the same amount used before. To counter this, a person has to increase the dose of the mixture to fill the same impact. As the user continues expanding the amount of substance, it will get to the point of overdose.

Do alcohol and codeine have withdrawal symptoms?

When used for an extended period, users of both alcohol and codeine become physically and physiologically dependent on the substance. The effect is that the body will compulsively keep on asking for more and more substances. Then, quitting abruptly, the user will experience withdrawal symptoms. Often, the immediate effect of withdrawal on the individual is the urge to take more substances.

Withdrawal symptoms alcohol and codeine.

Alcohol and codeine withdrawal symptoms vary from one individual to the other and the duration and severity of the symptoms. The factors that affect the variance between individuals include the length of time an individual used alcohol and codeine, how frequently they used alcohol and codeine, their gender, body weight, mental health, and the average dose of a mixture of alcohol and codeine they regularly took.

Though not life-threatening, the withdrawal symptoms can get worse. Importantly, if withdrawal symptoms are not adequately treated, they may cause dangerous health complications.

The following are common symptoms of withdrawal:

Extreme cravings to use alcohol and codeine

  • Changes in blood pressure
  • Changes in respiration rate
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Anxiety, including panic attacks
  • Hallucinations, though in rare cases
  • Irritability and mood swings
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Nausea
  • Sweating profusely
  • Headaches
  • Some people may develop rashes.

How to prevent yourself from the dangers of alcohol and codeine use?

  • When under the medication of codeine, it is imperative to observe the precaution of not taking alcohol strictly.
  • Young people should avoid peer pressure of trying the syrup. It may seem fun at the beginning, but the effects will be harmful. This drug may appeal for recreation, but it may lead to catastrophic complications to the extent of causing death.
  • Generally, the risk of adverse effects of alcohol and codeine is high on women. Therefore, women should be cautious not to indulge in the use of alcohol and codeine.
  • Purchasing of codeine should be restricted to only people with the prescription of a qualified medic.
  • Those with a history of drug abuse and alcohol should avoid codeine altogether.
  • Those who have just started using alcohol and codeine should consider quitting before it is too late.

How to treat codeine and alcohol addiction?

Willingness and determination to quit alcohol and codeine is the first and most crucial step in treating alcohol addiction. A medically supervised detox should follow to manage alcohol codeine withdrawal symptoms.

After detox, the recovering addicts are engaged in an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program. For monitoring, recovering addicts are encouraged to participate in individual counselling, group therapy, family counselling, and community support group meetings.

For the healing to be complete, society plays a role in accepting and helping those recovering. To ensure the chances of relapse are diminished, those recovering should engage in activities and work to keep them busy. Being idle makes them susceptible to relapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is codeine harmful?

When taken according to the prescription of a professional medic, codeine is not harmful. However, when taken outside the advice of a medical doctor or for recreational purposes, it can be detrimental.

Can alcohol and codeine be addictive?

A mixture of alcohol and codeine has addictive elements due to their euphoria and relaxation effects.

Can alcohol and codeine cause death?

The mixture of codeine and alcohol can cause life-threatening effects and, in worst cases, death.

Can alcohol and codeine addiction be treated?

Alcohol and codeine addicts can be treated and fully recover.

Do alcohol and codeine addiction have withdrawal symptoms?

Those who quit taking alcohol and codeine experience withdrawal symptoms, which disappear with time when well managed.

Is codeine considered an illegal drug?

Due to its use in medicine, codeine is not considered illegal. However, it is unlawful to use it outside medication.

Sources

  1. Mixing Codeine and Alcohol Effects
  2. Understanding Opioid (Narcotic) Pain Medications
  3. Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines
  4. Drug and Alcohol Interactions – What to Avoid
  5. drug monograph Codeine Sulfate Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing
  6. Codeine Sulfate (Codeine): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning

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