jenkem said:
I'm just wondering, as i'd not consider making this too regular a happening, but how often would one have to take codeine and in what quantities for one to feel somewhat dependent?
(that's a pretty broad question i guess..)
Excluding psychological addiction, a physical addiction would generally require someone to be using every day (tho 4 or 5 times a week might also be enough). Panadeine forte is commonly prescribed for daily use (60mg, up to 4 times a day), for short periods of no more than 1-2 weeks, so it would take a little while for someone to become physically dependant.
Personally speaking, after using one dose of 200mg a day for a month, when I stopped I only had slight discomfort lasting a day (not that this will be true for everyone). I started using it daily again, and after 3 months when I decided to take another break, I felt quite sick and realized how much I felt like I 'needed' the codeine. At that stage I didn't feel like I could quit, and as a result ended up using once or twice a day at doses of up to 400mg. This continued for 18 months, at which stage I decided the side effects were overriding the positives. I stopped using, and felt very sick as a result - anxiety, nausea, insomnia etc. It took me many attempts to quit properly, as after a few days I'd decide I couldn't handle it and buy more codeine. The trouble is that, though a dose would get rid of the sickness for a little while, the following couple of days would feel just as bad as when I'd first stopped.
It's been quite a few months now since I quit daily use, but I've found myself unable to resist having codeine once every two or three weeks. After each use, for a couple days I've found I still experience the same side effects as when I first stopped. This would probably go away if I just didn't have any for a couple months ... but that seems easier said than done. A couple weeks is fine, but any longer and the cravings seem to get fairly bad.
I'd have to recommend against daily use, or even semi-regularly, such as three times a week. Higher doses will naturally create more dependence, but I think the main attributing factor is from making it a regularity in your life.