Codeine addiction

Codeine is a drug used as a component in the manufacture of various painkillers and expectorants. It is a natural opium alkaloid with an apparent sedative effect. By the strength of the narcotic effect, it is 40 times weaker than morphine. It is included in tablets, cough syrups, and combined painkillers.

The most common pharmacy drugs, which include codeine, are Codepsin, Kofex, Codterpinum, Bekhterev’s mixture, Codelac, Nurofen Plus, Caffetin, No-spalgin, Solpadein, Pentalgin-N, etc. When used long, it causes severe drug addiction with all the ensuing consequences.

Symptoms of codeine use and codeine-containing drugs

Pharmacy drug codeine is very popular among drug addicts. Medications based on it are freely available and easy to get, although some may need a prescription. At low doses, the symptoms of codeine use are mild and difficult to notice.

When using codeine-containing drugs in significant quantities, the effect of using an opioid drug is achieved, which is accompanied by the following signs and symptomatic manifestations:

Strong constriction of the pupils;
Insomnia, causeless nervousness;
Euphoria, excessive activity, impaired coordination of movements;
Violation of consciousness, biased assessment of the world around;
Confusion of consciousness, drowsiness;
Slow breathing, attacks of nocturnal suffocation;
Allergic rashes on the skin;
Abrupt change of social circle, secrecy, unknown phone calls;
Loss of interest in once-loved things, work, study.

The type and severity of symptoms directly depend on the longevity of codeine addiction and the individual characteristics of the human body.

How codeine affects the body

Within 10 minutes after codeine enters the body, the addict feels the effect of the substance. One feels an imaginary surge of euphoria, serenity, a desire for unbridled fun, or aggression. The effect of euphoria disappears after about 4 hours – the second phase of action begins, during which the patient feels harmony and peace. The final stage is a feeling of heaviness and severe sleepiness.

With prolonged use of excessive doses, the effect of codeine on the body becomes detrimental. A stable addiction develops – without a substance in the blood, the addict feels a painful breakdown, and the main goal in life becomes the search and use of the next dose. With the addiction formed, the body can no longer cope with the problem. Therefore, treatment and subsequent rehabilitation of the addict is required.

Codeine withdrawal – how long it takes and how to remove it

Back call

Painful withdrawal (withdrawal syndrome) is an intermediate consequence of using codeine. It manifests itself at the formation stage of physical addiction when the body requires the use of a substance to maintain its concentration in the blood. Withdrawal is less apparent than in heroin addicts. Still, the symptoms are very similar: yawning, rapid breathing, goose bumps, increased salivation, lacrimation, and redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

As addiction develops, withdrawal becomes debilitating and painful. It is accompanied by severe pain throughout the body, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. During the shakes, the patient becomes aggressive and may take rash actions to take a dose. Withdrawal lasts for 24-72 hours. Its symptoms completely disappear after 3-4 weeks.

Removal of the shakes is made at home or in a drug treatment hospital. The methods of classical detoxification or UROD (ultra-rapid detoxification) are applied.

Consequences of using codeine

Abusing codeine-containing drugs leads to serious mental and physical health consequences. The systematic use of drugs gradually increases tolerance – to achieve the expected effect, it is necessary to increase the dose constantly, and a stable addiction to codeine also develops.

The most common side effects of codeine use are:

Diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
Exacerbation of chronic diseases;
Violations of the nervous system: chronic fatigue, negligence, absent-mindedness in actions, sleep problems;
Muscular dystrophy and muscle atrophy;
Violation of the reproductive system;
Mental disorders in drug addicts: depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.

The specific consequences of codeine use by a person can only be determined after consulting a narcologist and a comprehensive diagnosis of the body.

Anonymous guarantee

Emergency assistance 24/7

Free consultation

Overdose of a codeine-containing drug

For the first time taking codeine-containing drugs, an overdose is unlikely. But with a gradual increase in the body’s tolerance, the addict needs more and more substances to obtain the desired effect – the dose has to be regularly increased, which often leads to an overdose.

Evident signs of an overdose of codeine are:

clouding and confusion of consciousness (a person does not understand where he/she is and what he/she is doing);
Reducing the frequency of breathing and its difficulty, up to suffocation;
Slow heart rate, decrease of blood pressure;
Dizziness, vomiting;
Blueing of the mucous membranes and skin (primarily the limbs);
Trembling (tremor) in the extremities, convulsive sensations;
Intestinal spasms.

In case of an overdose of codeine, an addict needs emergency medical care. It is necessary to call a narcologist at home. Before the arrival of the ambulance, try to flush the stomach and provide fresh air.

Treatment for codeine addiction

Codeine addiction is a serious disease that requires timely and proper treatment. Treatment of codeine addiction is always complex. It involves several stages:

Psychological work – it is important that the patient realizes the perniciousness of the current problem and receives a stable motivation for a complete cure;
Examination – aimed at determining the stage of development of addiction, assessing the state of the body, and developing an optimal drug treatment regimen;
Detoxification – removal of drug residues from the body and toxic products of its decay;
Therapeutic treatment – drug therapy is carried out. It is aimed at normalizing the work of vital organs and body systems. The stage ends with a binder that blocks the work of opioid receptors;
Rehabilitation of a drug addict is the longest stage of treatment aimed at the socialization of a person in the surrounding world without drugs.

Does your loved one use drugs containing codeine? Don’t be left behind – ask for help!