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Codeine Addiction | Finding Your Way Home
Pregabalin | Tramadol | Painkillers | Codeine | Benzodiazepines
We recognise your codeine dependency without judging it, changing it or turning away from it.
From Smarmore Castle, you can expect non-judgemental responses that allow you to freely express what needs to be said. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible, not only physically but mentally too.
Are you ready to share? Talk to us. We’ll be here for you, no matter what.
Personalised Treatment
Codeine Addiction in a Nutshell
- What is it? Codeine is more commonly known for its presence in cough syrup. However, it’s also a prescribed opiate to treat mild and moderate pain. Broken down in the liver, the substance reverts into morphine, and once ingested affects the brain’s reward centre producing rewarding feelings of pleasure and wellbeing.
- Street names: Lean, Captain Cody, Little C, Schoolboy, Co-codamol, Cough Syrup, Syrup, Codis500.
- Signs of use: Lesser-known warning signs of codeine addiction can display as interpersonal problems, where the individual ignores commitments, and responsibilities and has problems at work. A common sign of addiction to codeine is nausea, itching and isolation.
- Poly-use (common substance combinations): According to the Global Information Network About Drugs, codeine is only 8-12 per cent as powerful as pure morphine – this is why addictions to opiates tend to occur as individuals find themselves with an increased tolerance that leads them to pursue stronger opiates like heroin to achieve the same desired effects and mitigate withdrawal symptoms. With that being said, codeine users commonly mix codeine with cannabis or alcohol.
- Side effects: Nausea, mood swings, drowsiness, weight loss, clammy hands and feet, stomach pain, constipation, itching, slowed breathing, changes to vision and sleeping more than usual.
- Long-term medical and psychological effects: Lung infections, bowel damage, sleep disorders, irregular heart rate and in some cases, brain damage. In regards to mental health, studies have highlighted dysphoric mood states, depression and depressive-like symptoms as common ailments. Source.
- Withdrawal: Common codeine withdrawal symptoms include a runny nose, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and muscle pains. Some symptoms can appear like bad flu, but for other long-term users, withdrawal is typically worse and requires medical intervention.
Are You Accidentally Hooked?
Developing an accidental addiction to codeine is possible for those who have a prescription for opioids. Even if the individual follows instructions precisely, there is still the risk of an opioid addiction developing.
When it comes to the more subtle opiates like codeine, legal users may actually not be prepared for the addictive effects and can often be taken by surprise when they are unable to get through the day without the drug – this indicates a tolerance, which might lead individuals to self-medicate at higher doses (this is drug misuse).
If this has happened to you, we understand, we’ve seen many individuals with no prior mental health difficulties or traumas accidentally fall into an addiction – but we can help pull you back. Call +041 214 5111.
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You Can Recover
- Discover triggers for your codeine addiction
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms that help you stay sober in the future
- Make small essential steps to a more fulfilling, positive life
- Manage feelings of anxiety and depression safely and comfortably without drugs
Being addicted to codeine makes this a really challenging time in your life and one that can be difficult to navigate on your own. But the good news is that a dependence on codeine is completely treatable and there is appropriate help if you know where to look.
Begin with an initial addiction assessment carried out by our discreet admission experts, who create non-judgement spaces that can help put your mind at ease when reaching out for help.
What codeine treatment looks like at Smarmore Castle
- Recommended minimum stay of 28 days
- Medically managed and supervised detoxes lasting up to 3 weeks to cope with an intense withdrawal process
- Dual diagnosis assessments and mental health support
- Intensive, personalised individual therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR)
- Daily group therapies, relationship management & family therapy
- Workshops, learning and 12-step facilitation
- Food, diet and physical exercise management
- Aftercare & outpatient therapy sessions for 12 months
Without effective treatment, a codeine dependency can grow out of control and have continuous negative impacts on different areas of your life, not just affecting your physically but mentally.
If you want to know how we can make things better for you, get in touch. Live a life worth being proud of.
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Detox Is Often Non-negotiable
Users trying to consume fewer opioids or less intense opioids to calm cravings and reduce the physical symptoms of withdrawal is not recommended – this practice is not safe and a medical detox with professionals will always be required for prescription painkiller withdrawal.
A medical detox will also reduce the risk of relapse, as you might be unaware that even a short break from an opioid often results in a reduction of tolerance, so restarting with the same dose can result in a fatal overdose.
An opioid overdose can be treated with medications, but professional intervention needs to be quick as to prevent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
You’re right and you’re justified
Not everyone finds addiction easy to face, but with us, you don’t have to do it alone. It’s your turn to feel acknowledged, heard and most of all, understood.
You don’t have to justify your addiction, or why you feel the way you do.
We know how hard it is, there are so many different ways that anger, humiliation, shame, hurt and exasperation can stop us from forgiving the only person that matters; yourself.
It’s time to stop viewing yourself and your addiction as the enemy, we can help you work towards a fulfilling life away from drugs and help you become more resilient in the process.
Get help now, or if you need some time to process and deal with your own emotions before taking that step, just know that we’ll be here, ready to take your call when you do.