Codeine Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, And Treatment

Codeine is a drug that physicians may prescribe for coughing, pain, and sleeplessness. Short-term usage of codeine under the supervision of a doctor is commonly safe. Nonetheless, the drug can lead to codeine addiction and dependence. Some people may encounter withdrawal symptoms when they quit taking it. In maximum cases, these symptoms pass very quickly, and treatments are accessible to alleviate them. Physicians may prescribe stronger drugs if a person has formulated codeine addiction.

What Is Codeine Addiction?

Codeine comes under a class of drugs known as opioids. People who have become addicted to codeine or have used it for an extended period may encounter codeine withdrawal when they quit taking it. 

While many people find that codeine is a miracle drug for relieving indications, codeine addiction has increased. Like any dependence, codeine abuse can ravage health and interpersonal problems. Many people who abuse codeine become tolerant of the modest effects of the narcotic and start to abuse heavier narcotics to accomplish greater highs. Moreover, many people with codeine detox begin to use other drugs, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, to achieve greater highs. At the same time, others may take codeine and stimulant drugs to lessen the side effects of the stimulants and generate a more mellow high. Codeine addiction is a severe disorder that can result in much suffering for all involved. Immediate medical treatment is essential to lessen the ill effects of codeine.

Causes And Risk Factors For Codeine Addiction

While the factors for codeine addiction are not well-understood, dependence is thought to be a mixture of several components working together. The causes of codeine dependence are:

Genetic

It has been inferred that addiction to specific substances races in families. People with a first-degree relative, like a parent, who depend on substances are more inclined to develop an addiction.

Biological

The interaction of codeine has resulted in many experimenters questioning whether or not specific individuals are born lacking the neurotransmitters that affect pleasure and well-being. These people may be striving to correct this inborn shortcoming by abusing codeine.

Environmental

People raised in a home setting where codeine drug addiction runs extensively may be more likely to develop addiction disorders. Also, people who start abusing drugs at an earlier age may be more prone to developing an addiction.

Psychological

Many people struggle with undiagnosed mental diseases that cause a variety of unpleasant indications. To alleviate these unpleasant feelings, a person may turn to substance abuse to feel more normal.

Signs and Symptoms of Codeine Addiction

The symptoms of codeine addiction are varied among addicted people depending primarily upon the length of time a person uses codeine, the quantity used, and the frequency of use. However, some of the most widespread symptoms of codeine abuse are:

Mood symptoms:

• Depression
• Euphoria
• Anxiety
• Emotional numbing
• Mood swings
• Sense of well-being 

Behavioral symptoms:

• Withdrawing socially from loved ones
• Developing prescriptions to obtain more codeine
• Healthcare fraud
• Frequent ER visits for ambiguous complaints of pain
• Monetary problems
• Fixation on codeine
• Legal problems
• Apathy
• Stealing codeine from friends and loved ones
• Ordering codeine on the internet
• Faking illnesses to attain more codeine
• Interpersonal relationship problems
• Sleepiness
• Poor work or school performance
• Social isolation

Physical symptoms:

• Blue tinges on the lips 
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Respiratory depression
• Dry mouth
• Low blood pressure
• Constipation
• Itching
• Rashes
• Decreased sex drive
• Urinary retention

Psychological symptoms:

• Psychosis
• Decreased memory
• Delusions
• Worsening of mental health
• Lack of emotions
• Hallucinations
• Increased mental illness indications

Recognizing Codeine Addiction

Once a codeine abuser becomes tolerant of the drug, they will need more to attain the previous high. In extended use cases, the drug is required to feel normal. Addiction may worsen an abuser’s concern about coping with daily tasks without codeine. Because codeine can be easily obtained as a legal substance, it can be hard to tell the disparity between use, abuse, and addiction. Nonetheless, there are limited telltale indications that something may be amiss, like increasing dosages and ignoring personal duties.

Clinicians and addiction consultants can analyze codeine addiction by attending a standard outlined in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) of Mental Disorders. Retaining a tolerance to codeine and encountering cravings are some of these standards. A person who abuses codeine regularly may be analyzed with a mild, moderate, or severe addiction, which enables inferring the right course of treatment.

Codeine Addiction Treatment

If you are striving to explore your way out of codeine addiction, there are various ways to find the support you require to recover, such as:

• Checking into an inpatient or residential rehabilitation center.
• Participating in other 12-step groups or non-12-step programs like SMART Recovery.
• Joining Narcotics Anonymous.
• Taking therapy from an addiction specialist. 

If you have a severe addiction and require to leave a toxic environment, an inpatient center will be best for you. Nonetheless, every addiction is unusual, and codeine addiction treatment must be modified for the individual.

Codeine Withdrawal and Treatment

Codeine results in symptoms of codeine withdrawal similar to other Opiates. These indications may be minor or severe relying on the extent of the addiction—widespread indications of codeine withdrawal span from joint pain to depression. Codeine withdrawal is not generally life-threatening; However, the discomfort of withdrawal frequently leads to a relapse. Without adequate treatment, several individuals trying to give up codeine turn back in an attempt to lower their emotional and physical pain.

Despite how you first got trapped on codeine, you can get out of the drug’s lure. Abusing codeine for an extended period will only make the drug’s consequences worse as your tolerance to it creates eventually, the high will wear off, and you will require more of the drug to retain an average balance. However, just as you become addicted to the drug, you can withstand it. For more data on treatment, contact a treatment provider soon for codeine recovery.