Newish. Been lurking for a while before registering. Little worried.

[Kaftanswirl]

Hi. I've generally tried to just search for answers on here and usually find them too! However, my acquaintance has recently started taking codeine. Up to around 250mg, started initially at 90 though. It was an attempt to to stop drinking tbh.
Tonight she took 225mg codeine (cwe), 20mg then ritalin to make it less obvious but that brought her back to normal, so then took 15mg valium because anxiety kicked in. But that did nothing. So decided to drink just half a bottle of wine. Shes slightly worried about the combo.
She's very tolerant to val, but codeine only started last week. Never takes ritalin, and alcohol effects her differently depending on the situation.
Should I be worried about her? Why is she still awake and anxious!?

Thanks, if any of you have time to respond!

 

[JacobDuhThrowback]

An immediate family member of mine who's an RN, as well as the info I've seen during jail intakes where they basically put you through a triage has led me to believe that along w/ benzos that alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to stop. Alcohol+Benzo is dangerous bc of CNS depression & w/ codeine in that high of a dose I'd say it's probably good that she's awake so that you can monitor her breathing & such. I dunno if that's any help but your post was a lil concerning so I wanted to reply ASAP. Have you guys been up all night? If you can, I'd seek a short inpatient ~7day detox for the alcohol bc stopping cold turkey if someone's a serious drinker can be very very dangerous, it's no joke. I'm not a doc of course but I've seen plenty of people RX'd Librium for severe alcohol withdrawal over a couple weeks very carefully.... Stay safe & if you have any doubts or questions you can always call the ER anonymously.

 

[Kaftanswirl]

Thank you so much for your response! I'll stay awake and monitor her. Currently she seems almost as if she's just had a drink. Maybe her tolerance is high to anything. She tried to get into rehab last week but her insurance doesn't cover it. She now wants to just go to sleep to stop the anxiety and fidgety feeling, so wants more valium and alcohol. I don't know where either are, so maybe I should just shadow her. Really appreciate you getting back to me.
We haven't been up all night as such, we're in Australia so the time is different. She started at 6pm and it is now 12:20am.

 

[Kaftanswirl]

Ps, her drinking wasn't too heavy in the past, she just couldn't have a few days off. She'd start at 5pm and it would range from 5 to 15 drinks. I think.

 

[Kaftanswirl]

Forgot to mention she's a tall but tiny thing. Around 49kgs.

 

[Bearlove]

If it's just the two of you I wouldn't let her add anything else to the combination and either put a movie on or sit chatting etc and ride the anxiety out until she is feeling sleepy naturally. How long has she been drinking and how much? Suddenly stopping drinking alcohol can be fatal the same as quitting taking benzos (if you have been abusing either) and a tapering plan is much safer if you can not seek medical help.

If she is awake and coherent then that is a good sign, just keep an eye on her and do not hesitate to seek medical help if needed. Adding ritalin to the mix just seems like an odd thing to do, are you sure this was not just a 'lets get fucked up' night that she is keeping to herself?