Codeine Addiction

Today, Codeine is medically used as a pain killer as well as a cough suppressant and can legally be purchased from pharmacies with a prescription. Since it is basically a narcotic, it is not meant for prolonged use; however, that does happen. Codeine Addiction can start after undergoing legitimate treatment; it can also be found on the black market, of course, which makes it easier for people to develop and sustain an addiction to it. Its pain relief properties are known to be quite limited, as opposed to its use as a narcotic, often in combination with alcohol or other drugs. Codeine addiction effects on the human body and psyche have been compared to the ones of morphine, which is why, in a world where it often seems that the only chance of happiness is through sedation, many people use it in order to induce a state of complacency, calm and forgetfulness.

Unlike some popular recreational drugs which do not cause physical addiction and are quite expensive, codeine is cheap, readily available on the underground market and highly addictive. Frequent use can cause a physical addiction as well as mental one (as codeine is habit-forming), and an abrupt attempt to stop taking it will result in withdrawals which can last up to a few months. Akin to the addiction caused by a number of other opiates, the compulsion to keep taking it is very difficult to overcome.

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Codeine Addiction Side Effects

When used repeatedly over a significant period of time, Codeine addiction has numerous side effects which impair one’s senses temporarily or can cause long term health problems. Short term issues include dizziness, a reduced ability to drive vehicles and operate heavy machinery, light-headedness, sleepiness, fainting and loss of concentration. That can result in a poor performance in physical as well as intellectual activities. Codeine can also cause digestive problems such as constipation, nausea and vomiting, whilst severe problems include stomach bleeding. Respiratory problems are not uncommon either, such as shortness of breath. Moreover, this drug is known to damage the kidneys and liver, which can lead to very serious complications. Skin problems have also been known to occur, such as rashes. In addition to all these physical side effects, psychological ones occur as well, for instance depression.

One can safely say it is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs available, especially as it is relatively easy to obtain. When codeine is processed by the human body, a small amount of it is actually turned into morphine. Due to the similarity in terms of effects between codeine and morphine, there is also a chance that someone might eventually end up taking heroin to obtain them. If you are suffering from codeine addiction and want to seek help, specialised advice is available. Doctors may prescribe substitutes to help people cope with the withdrawal period – if you are thinking about replacing codeine with another type of medication, professional advice is mandatory, as opposed to self medication. A codeine addiction detox program can be undergone in a specialised facility if necessary, to ensure that the codeine addiction is eliminated in a safe and effective manner.