Friend asking me for strong painkillers

[madpulse29]

I don’t know them well and was chatting to them about a BA day cold I’d recently had.They asked me if I had any codeine? I said no and they said they’d have to go and see the doc again but I thought it was a bit strange.

AIBU?i generally wouldn’t take anybody else’s medication.

I think you're playing us a bit here, Madpulse. On the one hand, you sound all wide-eyed and innocent about drug-seeking behaviour, yet you casually drop in some well-observed symptoms of opiod overdose (which, if true, indicates an immediate medical emergency, btw). What are you looking for from this thread?

Maybe she had a broken tooth or something and was too embarrassed to say so?

My husband put his back out and got some strong painkillers from his colleague/mate as no GP appointment was available till the end of times, more or less. I wasn't thrilled about it but no harm was done.

I’m not at all,I’ve been thinking for a while the behaviour was strange.Then this question about codeine.I was just googling the symptoms of codeine addiction.It kind of fits but I’m hoping someone tells me I’m off the mark.Id be worried about them if they were addicted to it.

Rivers you could be right.

Lol... wish my skin tone allowed for blue lipstick. It's the bollocks.

I've been on strong codeine (Co codamol) for years for back pain. Agree with others that it's highly addictive, and open to misuse.
I don't think it would do much for a cold though!

Looks pretty good,I couldn’t carry it off lol.

i take codeine daily for serious back pain. my lips aren't blue lol. i think thats a weird thing to connect. i would imagine she means as a cough suppressant or maybe she does have a an addiction. not sure what you're wanting out of this thread though as we can't know what her motivation for asking was.

NoYo that’s what I thought,sometimes it’s like she’s really chilled or overly happy then other times she’s a bit paranoid.

A really nice person with little boy and I feel worried when I think she’s leaning on codeine.

Owl I am just asking,it’s good to get opinions.I think I should follow my gut.Not sure what to do about this now though maybe ask her for a coffee and a chat and hope she opens up.

Thanks everyone I’m off to bed.

Weird thread.

It's easily available at all pharmacies.

Yeah if it’s available a time pharmacies wonder why she said she had to see the doc to get it.

Not sure,I’m off to bed thank s though.

I've been prescribed 60mg of codeine to take 3-4 times a day for cancer pain. My moods are perfectly normal. If my lips went blue, I'd be calling an ambulance, not trying to scrounge more.

I’d be highly suspicious of her having an addiction. Also asking for codeine for a cold is just weird.
I’m taking codeine for chronic pain. To be honest, all it does for me is managed the pain (I can’t take anti inflammatory drugs) but some people do get a high off it. The fact that she specifically said codeine not co-codamol would make me suspicious. OTC you can buy tablets with 8mg codeine/500mg paracetamol so 16mg per dose. I think prescribed the maximum co-codamol is 30/500 so a total of 60mg codeine. I’ve taken that in the past and felt kind of foggy. Research suggests that for pain relief, higher doses of codeine aren’t really any more effective than 60mg and you’d need to step up the opiate ladder but some people would take large doses of codeine for the high. So yeah, I’d be very suspicious.

being paranoid or overly happy are not symptoms of codeine addiction. if you're concerned about her, by all means talk to her, but don't go accusing her of anything.

Codeine wouldn't do anything for a cold, it's pain relief.

Her other behaviour doesn't exactly scream addict though (voice of personal experience). The only difference between cocodamol and codeine is the absence of paracetamol, and addicts can remove the paracetamol anyway if they choose to. Most people know about cocodamol but few know about codeine. If she was looking for drugs shed likely ask for the former.

Also you can get cocodamol on prescription it isn't just codeine. It'd be easier and less risky for your friend to buy online than ask about, if she was addicted. I think she may be confused about the cough stuff.

And yes I would give a friend, depending. My friend had an awful back last week, was working long hours on her feet and in agony. I gave 1 dihydrocodeine tablet which eased the pain. I wouldn't give hand over fist and I'd only give minute irregular amounts, but depending on the situation I would

Her moods are up and down to and always has bluish lips
Ummm are you sure? This sounds weird. When I get a chest infection I take codeine as it's a cough suppressant, it's easily bought over the counter, it's not an unusual medication in 8/500 strength to have in the cupboard, people often use it for migraines etc.
Personally, I take cocodamol daily for my arthritis and I certainly don't have blue lips. Did you call 999?

Yes, she's definitely got an opioid addiction. Don't ever give a friend any medication that hasn't been prescribed for them. I occasionally let a friend who I know to be asthmatic use my inhaler. She has the same prescription. Don't give her any drugs. Offer support. A bad cold doesn't need codeine.

Can't you buy codeine over the counter? Hardly asking you for class As a d she didn't insist

Or is that cocodamol?

patchisagoodpup

Yes, she's definitely got an opioid addiction

Based on what evidence? OPs slightly unbelievable "up and down moods and blue lips" description?

Codeine has no decongestant in it and would not be beneficial in a cold anyway, nothing accept Paracetamol and fluids would. You did the right thing saying no. Opiates can kill if too much was taken.

If she really had any kind of addiction she'd buy it online, OP.

You can buy co-codomol 12mg otc at the pharmacy called solpadine max. Solpadine plus has 8mg.
I've also had co-codomol 30mg on repeat prescription for a long term condition and it's come in handy when I had a cold. Might not fix a runny nose but does help other symptoms such as sore throat, swollen tonsils, headache, etc.

Who takes codeine for a cold?

Definitely sounds like codeine addiction. As other posters have said it's surprisingly common. It's one of those things that some people don't even realise they're addicted to, because you can buy it over the counter.