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Codeine Abuse Treatment

What is Codeine?

Codeine is a prescription pain reliever in the classification of opiate drugs. The drug is weaker than other opiates, however, there is still a high risk of overdose. Codeine is mostly available in prescription-grade cough syrups, and has become increasingly popular among younger drug abusers. Many people who abuse Codeine will mix the cough syrup with a carbonated drink like soda, adding in hard candy and even other substances, and sipping on the mixture.

Due to it’s lower potency, it is not regulated or monitored as strictly as opiates such as morphine which are much more powerful and dangerous. This allows for it to be easier to obtain, and as such, misuse. Regardless, it is actually quite chemically similar to morphine. Like other opioids, tolerance develops quickly, and when mixed with other narcotics or depressants, can lead to comas and even death.

Codeine Abuse

As users ingest more codeine, they quickly become more tolerant to the pleasurable feelings from the substance. Just like other opiates, it creates a sense of relaxation and euphoria. Once tolerance begins to build up, more Codeine will be needed to feel these pleasant effects. That, combined with abusers tendency to mix Codeine with other substances will lead to harmful side effects or overdose.

Side effects of Codeine:

  • Constricted Pupils
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Slurred Speech
  • Confusion
  • Lower Reaction Time
  • Kidney or Liver Damage
  • Memory Loss

Warning signs of Addiction

It is not always easy to tell if an addiction is beginning to take hold. If you see any of these traits in one of your loved ones, they may be struggling with substance abuse:

  • Risky Behavior
  • ”Doctor Shopping”
  • Buying over-the-counter Cough Syrup when not needed
  • Using Medicine when not ill
  • Keeping Secrets or Dishonest Behavior
  • Withdrawal from Friends or New Social Circles
  • Using Other Substances

Codeine is considered a gateway drug, especially to other opiates. Many Codeine abusers will turn to morphine or heroin to get a more serious effect once they’ve developed a tolerance. If you start to notice any of these side effects or behaviors in yourself, or someone you love, it may be time to seek professional assistance from a drug and alcohol treatment center near you. At this point, reducing your intake may prove dangerous or lead to painful withdrawal symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately if you start to experience any symptoms or side effects to make sure that you are not at risk of abusing it.

Codeine Withdrawal

One of the many dangers of Codeine, is that of similar opioids: the potential of relapse due to how painful withdrawal is. It is not particularly life threatening, and many choose to just stop it cold turkey. However, because it does lead to some drastic discomfort, relapse occurs. Without professional help, many people suffering from the sickness of withdrawal end up using again just to feel normal.

Dependence on Codeine can be alleviated with less discomfort through the assistance of a professional and accredited medical detox facility, such as Royal Life Centers. Understanding the dangerous effects of withdrawal will help you to prepare yourself for the first steps of your recovery.

Withdrawal Symptoms Include:

  • Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Stomach Pain
  • Sweating
  • Fever

Depending on how many opiates you’ve taken, for how long, your age, overall health profile, and if you’ve mixed them, withdrawal could last more than 8 days. Typically, you will notice withdrawal within 8 hours of stopping. Relapse happens most commonly in the first 24 hours because of how intense the withdrawal is. The first few days are the most painful physically, but the days that follow are extremely psychological.

Codeine Detox Meds

In Codeine withdrawal, relief during the five to ten days of these symptoms can be provided through various medications including:

  • Clonidine
  • Buprenorphine
  • Buprenorphine with naloxone

These detox medications aim to ease the physical discomfort and help the user get some rest. Warm baths, mild exercise, balanced nutrition, and the compassionate support of recovery-sensitive nurses and counselors help ease a person through the mental anguish. During treatment, your drug counselor will facilitate your entry in the most important part of recovery, recovery-sensitive therapy, once you are able to attend. At Royal Life Centers, we make sure that all of our guests are given the same level of love and care so that they can start their life of sobriety with success.

Codeine detox medicine such as buprenorphine should be discontinued as soon as possible because buprenorphine maintenance can change into buprenorphine addiction, just like how Codeine maintenance turned into Codeine dependence or codeine addiction.

What happens after medical detox?

Following medical detox at Royal Life Centers, guests will begin a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment designed to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We offer a variety of detox options for treating drug addiction beyond just Codeine. Our program helps to promote a lasting, sober lifestyle through sobriety and beyond. Our addiction specialists, from our therapists and case managers to our facility staff, are dedicated to providing the best in care and support. Our holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy incorporates individual and group sessions. We use other holistic methods, such as art, music and animal therapy to help our guests to learn to express themselves and communicate. Our treatment features state-of-the-art activity, movement, and adventure therapies to create one program that treats mind, body, and spirit. At Royal Life Centers, we believe that emotional healing is just as important as physical healing.

Guests may begin their recovery journey in our residential inpatient program and continue with us through PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living at our graduate housing residences. At Royal Life Centers, the guest is always our top priority, and we consistently do all we can to effect lasting change, that they might continue to lead healthy, sober lives long after they have left our care. This is not just our goal, but our mission.

Reach Out

If you or a loved one has a dependency or addiction to codeine, or any substance use disorder, please reach out to us about your detox and treatment options. Royal Life Centers admissions staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns. We can be reached at 888-716-4070. Because We Care.

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