Codeine addiction

[Sidban]

Hi everyone,

I'm an alcoholic. I've been sober from drink for 6 years.

However, codeine has become the substitute. I've been addicted for a about 5 years. Stopped and started again. Been through withdrawal many times. Each time it gets worse.

This morning I decided to try get clean again. 3 days of turmoil lie ahead. I know it's not as bad as other drugs but it's still not much fun.

I'm just reaching out for support. I've got a young family and they know nothing about my addiction. 2 packets of nurofen plus a day, or 2 packets co codomol. I use CWE.

I just wanna feel healthy.

Peace

 

[Sidban]

Oh, I'm 38, from the U.K.

 

[awesome31311]

What makes you reach out for a bottle? You have to map these behaviors in your head. If withdrawal is an issue, I recommend a gradual taper. You can take your time and be slow, if you're already addicted. Once you do get there, however, you have to find something to do with all the extra time you'll have. Maybe you already are losing out on time you could be spending with family because of your addiction. In that case, you could motivate yourself by thinking of all the time you'll have to be able to engage with them.

 

[Sidban]

What makes you reach out for a bottle? You have to map these behaviors in your head. If withdrawal is an issue, I recommend a gradual taper. You can take your time and be slow, if you're already addicted. Once you do get there, however, you have to find something to do with all the extra time you'll have. Maybe you already are losing out on time you could be spending with family because of your addiction. In that case, you could motivate yourself by thinking of all the time you'll have to be able to engage with them.

Thanks,for your reply

I don't think I have the discipline for a slow taper. Most of the pharmacies know my face. I think it's cold turkey!

I can do it, I just always relapse

 

[awesome31311]

Perhaps taper to a lower dose, and then make the cold turkey leap from there?

 

[Sidban]

What makes you reach out for a bottle? You have to map these behaviors in your head. If withdrawal is an issue, I recommend a gradual taper. You can take your time and be slow, if you're already addicted. Once you do get there, however, you have to find something to do with all the extra time you'll have. Maybe you already are losing out on time you could be spending with family because of your addiction. In that case, you could motivate yourself by thinking of all the time you'll have to be able to engage with them.

As for what makes me do it? I'm an addict. Been doing codeine for 5 years.

 

[awesome31311]

5 years is definitely long enough to have made you change your behaviors and your life patterns in such a way that you accommodate the drug use. It won't happen with just stopping the drug. You have to also change up all your other habits. Since you've been taking them a long time, cold turkey withdrawal symptoms will be very intense. If you can handle those, then cold turkey is the fastest way possible to come off the substance!

 

[Sidban]

5 years is definitely long enough to have made you change your behaviors and your life patterns in such a way that you accommodate the drug use. It won't happen with just stopping the drug. You have to also change up all your other habits. Since you've been taking them a long time, cold turkey withdrawal symptoms will be very intense. If you can handle those, then cold turkey is the fastest way possible to come off the substance!

I'll give it a bash. I've got 4 10mg valium to ease me in the first couple of nights.

I've cold turkeyed a few times before. Night sweats are the worst part. Flu symptoms etc.

But all I do is, take my codeine then watch TV. I barely notice the effects now. Well, that's not quite true. I have been upping the dose. But it's fucking up my body.

Maybe I'll buy some after work. Take less than normal.

 

[Sidban]

5 years is definitely long enough to have made you change your behaviors and your life patterns in such a way that you accommodate the drug use. It won't happen with just stopping the drug. You have to also change up all your other habits. Since you've been taking them a long time, cold turkey withdrawal symptoms will be very intense. If you can handle those, then cold turkey is the fastest way possible to come off the substance!

Thanks for replying!

 

[Sidban]

So, I've bought a packet of nurofen plus. Just . I don't think I'm fully prepared for cold turkey. The last time I quit I had valium and antihistamines as well nytol. This combo helped a lot.

So tonight is a tapering night. Tomorrow or the next day I'll cold turkey.

 

[awesome31311]

Ever try acid? Many people report an outright end to certain addictions after just one trip. I know it was the case for me, at least.

 

[Sidban]

Ever try acid? Many people report an outright end to certain addictions after just one trip. I know it was the case for me, at least.

I cold turkied once with the help of ketamine. Don't think my brain could handle acid these days

 

[Keif' Richards]

Hey buddy! You've come to the right place. This forum is typically reserved specifically for acute situations involving Harm Reduction, but as a matter of course, new people are generally unaware of how things are segregated here, so we get stuff like this a lot. No worries, but we might move it somewhere more suitable. We actually have recovery-dedicated sub-forums here that you might enjoy checking out. You're not the first to come seeking support during Opioid withdrawal

Not that it's super important, but how much Codeine do these "packets" equate too? The "it gets worse everytime" phenomenon that you're struggling with is known as the Kindling Effect. It's mostly documented in relation to Alcohol and other Sedative/Hypnotic drugs, but I stand by my statement that this effect occurs with Opioids as well. It's not in your head.

For the record, begin addicted to Codeine or any Opioid, while not an ideal living situation for most folks, is significantly healthier than being addicted to or dependent upon Alcohol. We are here to help and we can advise you regarding medications, what to expect and everything in between. This is doable and with help and support, we're going to make it happen.

There's a lot of stuff to talk about here. If you would like medication advice, doctor advice or anything like that, get back to us and we can help out.

 

[Sidban]

Hey buddy! You've come to the right place. This forum is typically reserved specifically for acute situations involving Harm Reduction, but as a matter of course, new people are generally unaware of how things are segregated here, so we get stuff like this a lot. No worries, but we might move it somewhere more suitable. We actually have recovery-dedicated sub-forums here that you might enjoy checking out. You're not the first to come seeking support during Opioid withdrawal

Not that it's super important, but how much Codeine do these "packets" equate too? The "it gets worse everytime" phenomenon that you're struggling with is known as the Kindling Effect. It's mostly documented in relation to Alcohol and other Sedative/Hypnotic drugs, but I stand by my statement that this effect occurs with Opioids as well. It's not in your head.

For the record, begin addicted to Codeine or any Opioid, while not an ideal living situation for most folks, is significantly healthier than being addicted to or dependent upon Alcohol. We are here to help and we can advise you regarding medications, what to expect and everything in between. This is doable and with help and support, we're going to make it happen.

There's a lot of stuff to talk about here. If you would like medication advice, doctor advice or anything like that, get back to us and we can help out.

Thanks man. Yeh man move the thread to wherever you think is more appropriate.
I've been doing about 400mg codeine a day, plus maybe another 200mg to feel real good.

I've been using valium too but pretty sure I'm not addicted.

My plan today is, lower my dose, 2mrw equip myself for the fallout. First 2 days are unpleasant. It's the mental side I struggle with. The fear of not having my feeling.

 

[awesome31311]

That's good man! Set a goal for every day, no matter how miniscule it is. The point of goal setting is to keep yourself determined, I know that nihilistic thought patterns/losing a sense of purpose is the absolute worst thing when coming off something so detrimental.

 

[Shortec Stublue!!]

I am assuming you are in the Uk mate. Although nurofen plus is only a small amount (12.8mg codeine per tab) you are taking mega amounts of Ibuprofen when you have consumed many tablets.

This is something I have done myself in the past, along with 30mg Co-codamol (Mums) when no access to stronger opiates/opioids. More so now if my Oxy prescription is running out. In a way I think over the counter opiates actually help keep pain patients away from street H etc as they use it as a stop gap.

You may think it is a strange thing to go to a doctor about, but weak or strong Opiate addiction does not discriminate. You would be entitled at the very least, to some support and guidance, and possibly to treatment in a structured way. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need more info.

 

[Opi_Kid_Rock]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I've never found codeine to be very addictive despite haven taken it for years in the past. Referring to T3s in particular. I understand that it metabolizes into morphine but I'm concerned with the stronger opiates that are so popular these days that provide stronger highs/rushes on average.

 

[Ganjcat]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I've never found codeine to be very addictive despite haven taken it for years in the past. Referring to T3s in particular. I understand that it metabolizes into morphine but I'm concerned with the stronger opiates that are so popular these days that provide stronger highs/rushes on average.

I dont find the wd that bad at all but i just always wanna behigh as much as possible

 

[Sidban]

I am assuming you are in the Uk mate. Although nurofen plus is only a small amount (12.8mg codeine per tab) you are taking mega amounts of Ibuprofen when you have consumed many tablets.

This is something I have done myself in the past, along with 30mg Co-codamol (Mums) when no access to stronger opiates/opioids. More so now if my Oxy prescription is running out. In a way I think over the counter opiates actually help keep pain patients away from street H etc as they use it as a stop gap.

You may think it is a strange thing to go to a doctor about, but weak or strong Opiate addiction does not discriminate. You would be entitled at the very least, to some support and guidance, and possibly to treatment in a structured way. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need more info.

Thanks man. Yeh I'm in the uk.

I took less than normal last night and slept ok.

 

[Sidban]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I've never found codeine to be very addictive despite haven taken it for years in the past. Referring to T3s in particular. I understand that it metabolizes into morphine but I'm concerned with the stronger opiates that are so popular these days that provide stronger highs/rushes on average.

Of course there are stronger opiates out there but none available over the counter. But I can assure you codeine is addictive.

Someone else mentioned the WD ain't that bad and tbh it isn't. 3 days, night sweats, shits, flue symptoms, anxiety. But when you've got a job and a small child to look after it's not ideal.

I'm gonna get a strong antihistamine and some nytol today and reduce the dosage again.

Just can't be fucked with my daily routine of finding a pharmacy that won't recognize me.