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Getting rid of the codeine

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Codeinist

Greenlighter
Joined
Nov 2, 2025
Messages
5
I'm addicted to codeine. The amounts aren't large, but I take it every day. I get it from cough medicine.

The addiction started with a difficult work situation and has since taken hold. I live in Northern Europe. I'm 50 years old. I don't use other drugs.

I'm keeping a diary of my situation here. Starting tomorrow, I'll start reducing my use in a controlled manner. The goal is to be codeine-free by the end of the week. Mentally, this is going to be a big deal.
 
Codeinist said:
I'm addicted to codeine. The amounts aren't large, but I take it every day. I get it from cough medicine.

The addiction started with a difficult work situation and has since taken hold. I live in Northern Europe. I'm 50 years old. I don't use other drugs.

I'm keeping a diary of my situation here. Starting tomorrow, I'll start reducing my use in a controlled manner. The goal is to be codeine-free by the end of the week. Mentally, this is going to be a big deal.
Click to expand...

You can do it. Supplements will do you so good you have no idea. There’s a list of vitamins for opiate withdrawal you can find easily with the search function. You’ve got this player. You can do it.
 
Day 1.
I'm feeling great so far, but it's going to get worse. I'm expecting flu-like symptoms and, above all, sadness.

The codeine-containing cough medicine has caused me a lot of stomach problems, which is sometimes very embarrassing. It also costs money. Probably 20,000 euros over the years. I make a good living, so this hasn't been a big problem, but it's a lot of money.

No one knows about this. They've asked at the pharmacy sometimes, but since I look harmless and a reliable pillar of society, no one suspects me of anything.

I'm scared of what will happen.

And thank you for your support, it brought tears to my eyes.
 
Codeinist said:
I'm addicted to codeine. The amounts aren't large, but I take it every day. I get it from cough medicine.

The addiction started with a difficult work situation and has since taken hold. I live in Northern Europe. I'm 50 years old. I don't use other drugs.

I'm keeping a diary of my situation here. Starting tomorrow, I'll start reducing my use in a controlled manner. The goal is to be codeine-free by the end of the week. Mentally, this is going to be a big deal.
Click to expand...
Do you have any comfort meds. Also how long an addiction? If you are (which I am guessing); it could be very I unpleasant without some comfort meds, depending on addiction level.

Also, your plan may work; however depending upon your addiction level 6 days, might not be nearly long enough.

You said the amounts aren't large, which is good. My concern is how long have you used it? Don't worry if it takes longer.

If you can get some milder benzos, Diazepam( Valium) or similar taken for no longer than 2 weeks, or maybe 3. Watch out, benzo are good for certain things but can cause horrible addiction and long term to get off; of. If abused. Used short term for real issues, then fine. Gabapentin and Lyrica( pregablin or something like that) work great for opiod withdrawal.

Depending on your body and duration of use, withdrawal could be a problem. My real concern comes from the honest admission that you are an addict.

I am concerned what will happen if you try to taper too fast and without comfort meds. There are also some over the counter type stuff that may help. Keif Richards( a moderator on Bluelight) will probably know if you have questions.
 
Day 2
I slept restlessly, but according to my smartwatch, I still got enough. I feel fine after coffee.

I found myself planning a trip to the pharmacy, because it has become a routine over the past few years. “If I go to three pharmacies, I’ll be fine for two days.” I stopped myself there. Wait a minute. You’re not supposed to go to the pharmacy. You don’t have to go to the pharmacy. For a while I felt euphoric, I don’t have to go to the pharmacy. However, I wouldn’t be 100% honest if I said I didn’t want to.

Right now, I’m fine. Feels like flue, but this was not a surprise.
 
Sounds like you're doing good. What I'd like to ask you is, is the 'bad work situation' you mentioned still persisting, which would keep giving you incentive to continue using since that was your motivator to start in the first place, or is that no longer a factor and you're only doing it out of habit now -?

Also listen to your body. If you start feeling *massively* unwell, just taper a little slower. There's no reason to force yourself to endure more discomfort than needed. Btw I've withdrawn from opium, methadone and several times from heroin. Any symptom you might be worried about, just ask.


PS and welcome to Bluelight! Good you found your way here, and hope you stick around. 👍
 
TheUltimateFixx said:
Sounds like you're doing good. What I'd like to ask you is, is the 'bad work situation' you mentioned still persisting, which would keep giving you incentive to continue using since that was your motivator to start in the first place, or is that no longer a factor and you're only doing it out of habit now -?

Also listen to your body. If you start feeling *massively* unwell, just taper a little slower. There's no reason to force yourself to endure more discomfort than needed. Btw I've withdrawn from opium, methadone and several times from heroin. Any symptom you might be worried about, just ask.


PS and welcome to Bluelight! Good you found your way here, and hope you stick around. 👍
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Yes and no. I'm in a pretty high position, so the pressure and expectations are accordingly. At my previous job, my boss was very immature and volatile. That's why I started medicating myself and here we are.

My current job is also challenging and stressful, but the codeine problem arose during my previous job. I've just carried it with me to the new one. So, as you wrote, now it's just a stupid habit.

It still feels bearable. Ibuprofen helps with the colic. Also, haha, I'd download paid add-ons for a mobile game. At least it gives my brain something else to do if things start to get difficult. (No, I'm not going to get addicted for those). It's great that you care!
 
@Codeinist

been there, done that 🤷🏻😉
You'll find people round here give a fuck because they know the drill.

Also you seem to be catching yourself quite early on before you've become too entrenched in it or are dependent on massive doses, so that's all to the good.
 
Have you tried going to NA meetings? Whenever I tried to quit drugs by myself I always relapsed eventually because I found life so boring or meaningless without them.

NA isnt for everyone but it helped me and many others, I would give it a shot
 
Codeinist said:
The codeine-containing cough medicine has caused me a lot of stomach problems, which is sometimes very embarrassing. It also costs money. Probably 20,000 euros over the years. I make a good living, so this hasn't been a big problem, but it's a lot of money.
Click to expand...

I don't know what else is in that cough medicine but IF it's paracetamol (acetaminophen) then I suggest you also ask the pharmacy if they sell methionine. In the UK methionine is also sold in some health food shops and in shops that sell herbal medicines and food suppliments,

The reason is that you liver uses methionine to metabolize paracetamol. When your body runs out of methionine, your liver metabolizes paracetamol into a toxin called NAPQI.

Here in the UK we have a couple of brand-name medicines in which each tablet contains 250mg of methionine and 500mg of paracetamol.

I say this purely to reduce harm. Addiction is tough and we are all different. I certainly hope you get clean and need not buy the cough syrup or the methionine.
 
keep pushing through it. codeine, morphine "opiates" are natural. after 3 days you will be feeling so much better. even heroin is a 3 day ordeal.

just push on. play music, watch something entertaining. write about it.

I can tell you are already feeling better about yourself for standing up for yourself and honoring yourself.

I am doing the same with some of the things I have been taking. I feel so much better about myself for pushing through the issue I am dealing with.
 
Day 3
I've come to the conclusion that I still need medical help with this. Maybe I'm not as strong as I think. Also, your other perspectives on the matter have added to my understanding.
 
Them Witches said:
keep pushing through it. codeine, morphine "opiates" are natural. after 3 days you will be feeling so much better. even heroin is a 3 day ordeal.
Click to expand...

I disagree. Opiate withdrawal lasts much longer than three days I'm afraid, more like ten days before you start to feel anything like 'normal'.

The three day rattle is sadly a myth in my experience.
 
F.U.B.A.R. said:
I disagree. Opiate withdrawal lasts much longer than three days I'm afraid, more like ten days before you start to feel anything like 'normal'.

The three day rattle is sadly a myth in my experience.
Click to expand...
opiates are shorter. 3 days and the worst is over for me.

opioids like oxy 10 days, Methadone 20 days.
 
F.U.B.A.R. said:
I disagree. Opiate withdrawal lasts much longer than three days I'm afraid, more like ten days before you start to feel anything like 'normal'.

The three day rattle is sadly a myth in my experience.
Click to expand...
I've never heard anyone say the withdrawal only lasts three days. I think the 3 day thing comes from the fact that around day 3 is usually when you feel at your worst. Definitely was like that for me. If I could get past the three day mark I'd know the worst was over and I'd be slowly on the up from there on in.

But the whole process was more like a week to get over the physical symptoms, and yeah like a good ten days to feel more like your proper self again.
 
Jnowhere said:
Wouldn't the usual comfort meds and supplements work with codeine?
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Sure, but at least at higher doses, codeine itself (rather than the fraction that is converted into morpine) also seems to have activity at some other receptor(s). I just checked and it's known to have DOR and KOR affinity. Now I couldn't find the affinity values, but it was specifically noted.

I would say given it's analgesic activity (generally agreed to be quite low), sudden cessation in a dependent user may result in AWS out of all proportion to that analgesic activity. Someone who has been using 100mg/day of codeine for a long time may demonstrate far worse AWS than someone who has consumed 8-12mg of morphine per day.

Seems to be specific to codeine. Or at least I've noted that dihydrocodeine seems to behave as expected i.e. the AWS is as expected.
 
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