Addicted to painkillers and sleeping tablets

[addictionissue]

Posting for traffic

I was diagnosed with sciatica 3 years ago and have been on co-codamol since. This along with losing both my parents and some miscarriages caused havoc with my sleep pattern also so doctors prescribed zopiclone.

It's now years on and I can't function without co-codamol, I take it even when not in pain and my addiction to zopiclone is just getting worse.

I take 2 (7.5mg) ones just so I can feel a bit "out of it" or relaxed and I get a good nights sleep but I'm realising I'm starting to get panicky when I'm running low and I realise I have an issue with both of these meds.

I have never been a drug user, never touched cocaine or anything, not a drinker either but I'm ashamed of how I'm getting through life right now.

Work, home, bath, zopiclone, codeine and bed.

I am also on antidepressants. I don't know how to talk to DH about this and I just fear I'm losing control and will end up doing myself some serious damage.

Has anyone else had any problems like this and can advise on how to get some help?

Thank you x

Wish I could, I had a problem with tramadol, got over that now take too many cocodamol. I wish I didn't but I can't see beyond taking more than I should to see the damage I am doing

Can you start with your GP? Isn’t he or she reviewing your repeat prescriptions? Xx

I’ve had problems with cocodamol addiction. I took it for headaches originally. Then it became clear that my headaches were withdrawal headaches, so if I stopped taking the cocodamol I’d get one simply because of the lack of codeine. Then eventually the cocodamol didn’t get rid of the headache because I was, essentially, just craving more of the opioid.

I tried weaning off, using paracetamol as a substitute. (There is some guidance online on how to do this gradually). But ultimately you do have to just stop taking it and go through a process of withdrawal. It’s pretty nasty (headaches, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, dodgy tummy etc) so may require some time off work but when you come through the other end you will feel amazing. I’d recommend telling your GP though, as I’m not sure it’s wise to stop suddenly. And they may give you meds to help with your withdrawal symptoms.

Good luck!

You have nothing to feel ashamed about, talk to your g.p. and see if you can reduce the zopiclone and co codamol, dont just stop taking them. Are you getting co codamol on prescription. There is help out there and you and your doctor can help you find alternative ways to manage pain and insomnia perhaps some counselling or wellness might help you.

Sorry, I don’t have any experience with sleeping tablets but I imagine the process is much the same.

I agree with counselling. So much shame wrapped up in opioid addiction but it’s incredibly common and so many people accidentally fall into it because they were simply treating their pain.

Good luck x

Addiction to these drugs are very common. Try contacting these organisations for help and advice.

organisation

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This is so much more common than most people realise so don't be embarrassed or ashamed. Many, many pain killer addictions begin with legitimate use so it's no surprise that you don't have a history of drug misuse - these things ARE addictive.

Could you present it to your DH saying that you've been reading about prescription medicine addiction, and you're worried that you've crept into that category with the zopiclone and codeine. So, you're going to be making a big effort to come off then over the next few months (because even if it's not a full blown addiction, you don't want it to end up one) and are warning him in case you're grumpy and need some extra support during the process. Is he a good man generally? Would you expect him to be supportive?

I'd also get your gp on board, and if they seem dismissive just find another gp. This is seen so frequently by them that there will be no judgement. Plus, it's more frequently seen with people drug seeking rather than wanting help to stop, so they'll have plenty of respect for you noticing the issue and wanting to rectify it.

This is very fixable

I did have a big problem with codeine-containing painkillers. I used to get a fair number of tension headaches (was in a stressful situation) and ended up taking more and more of the things, without thinking about it, really. I then had headaches nearly every day and was taking a lot of tablets every day. I had also realised just before that I had a problem as I was going to different chemists to buy painkillers, but I didn't know what to do to get out of the vicious circle. I will day I never had any 'highs' from having codeine, it was purely taken to relieve the pain.

I then read a magazine article talking about rebound headaches and realised that that was me, and that my headaches were being made worse and more frequent by taking so many painkillers. I then drastically cut them back, and at times made myself endure painful headaches, but sometimes I had to have painkillers as the pain was so bad.

After a month I'd cut my painkiller consumption by half, the month after that by another half, and so on. By the end of the year I was hardly having any headaches. this was about 15 years ago, it's rare now I ever have a headache (unless from dehydration, then I drink a couple of glasses of water). It wasn't easy, but I did it on my own.

I think if you also are taking ADs and sleeping pills, the problem is far greater and you will probably need to reduce one at a time and not try to do them all at once, and ideally you should get professional help.

See your gp! I had the same thing with codiene and as you can see it is very common in those of us who took it initially for legitimate use (mine was a severe kidney infection)

I still crave the opioid yummyness of feeling out of my body knowing it’s back there in pain and not giving a shit but I’m pleased to say that now I have a pack from the hospital last year in my medicene cabinet and I’ve only taken two and for legitimate reason. It is doable, my gp helped me. I wouldn’t try on my own tbh

No advice but surely it's a fantastic first step to recognise you have a problem. Well done and best of luck.

I've been addicted to OTC codeine for several years. I haven't managed to stop. I have a chronic pain condition and the doctors would not prescribe medication to me. I'd been taking normal paracetamol and ibuprofen for a few years and wasn't finding it helped so one day I asked what the pharmacist what's the strongest thing I can buy OTC and discovered codeine. I take far too much, and I'm scared to speak to my GP because she's always been so dismissive in the past. I don't know how else to treat the actual pain that I am in and I'm scared of being cut off and left to go back to how I was before, but I want help to manage it.

I believe the best way to stop taking it, is to taper. So gradually reduce the dose. This would possibly take some willpower depending on how much and how often you take it. I think it would be helpful if you handed the meds over to your husband or someone, and worked out a taper plan together and let him control when you got it and how much. I assume for sleeping pills tapering would be helpful, but I don't know as much about them. Good luck

Thank you so much everyone.

I feel like a drug addict, I know I'm causing myself damage just by taking the 2 zopiclone, 1 has stopped working for me and 2 is on the edge of stopping working too and it's a dangerous amount.

It's funny to me because I never imagined myself as an addict, my mother was a drug addict and alcoholic and I always promised myself I'd never end up like that.

We would really like to have children in the next year or two so I know I need to get some help with this.

For those that asked my GP prescribes the prescription dose of codeine and also renews my zopiclone every 2 weeks without even questioning it.

DH is a lovely, caring and understanding man and Ianaware I use sleeping tablets etc just not to the extent that I do but I think I may talk to him about feeling like I'm losing control with them and ask him to store my meds for me. Maybe split my Zopiclone in half and have him give me half a night and just carry 1 strip of co-codamol in my bag per week as I do still get sciatica and my drive to work is 40 minutes, often making my back and leg play up in traffic whilst riding the clutch etc.

Thank you for all of your advice I really appreciate it and not being judged xx

Are you in the UK?

I'm amazed at the ease you've been prescribed Zopiclone for so long. My GP is sooooo cautious about prescribing it even intermittently, certainly wouldnt allow for every night.

You'll be fine, see your g.p. and have a medication review. You may be able to get a lower dose of codeine to start with reducing the dose but it's also the paracetomol that causes harm, what dose are you on. There are other tablets and treatments that can help with sciatica. Look up the NHS health site for sciatica and read up about therapies.

If possible, get an automatic car. It's helped my back pain enormously not having to use a clutch. I take co-codamol for pain, but never when driving. Wouldn't feel safe driving and could be done for drug driving.

It's very common to be stuck on/addicted to codeine. It's chemically addictive and habit forming. don't judge yourself.
I was on 3 meds. One of which was codeine and I was taking 8 tablets a day for couple years. The other two were an antidepressant and a nerve pain med which knocked me out at night. So very similar trio of meds! I fell pregnant and stopped all three. Hardest thing suffering through withdrawals and having morning sickness with migraines. Was absolute hell. And I had some awful thoughts. But now I'm calmer and have less of the original pain symptoms as before.
It's easy for these meds to creep up on you. Don't be ashamed. Your doctor has a duty of care to you and should be supporting you to slowly taper down off the ones you feel are controlling your life.
Tell your partner... they may be able to help you manage and control your codeine intake maybe? Good luck!

Poor you, I've been where you are after a life changing car crash which left me disabled. I had been a coke addict in my past and to be honest always had a problem with drinking. Was in hospital for a couple of months after the crash and it was like forced rehab, it stopped me doing both those things and in a weird way saved my life.

But I then got totally hooked on zopiclone. I stopped being prescribed it and ended up working out a few sites that sell it (it is legal and fully compliant product from online pharmacies that did fairly regularly say no, but zopiclone can no longer be bought at all online now even from these online pharmacies). I lied and said whatever I needed to to get it and only when they tightened up the regulations did I stop because I simply had to. I was taking 2.5 x 7.5mg most nights and got totally hooked.

Anyway I'm rambling - my point is, I have a highly addictive personality and history of drug use and I've managed to get off them. You can do this, I promise you.

I would, if at all possible, have a word with your GP and say that you are concerned you're getting reliant on the zopiclone and would like to have a month at a lower dose and ask your husband to dish it out each evening. Then you can keep reducing it and get back to normal.

Please do pop back on here if you need some support, I was so low and feel so much better now I am not reliant on any medication. It felt impossible at the time.

xx

And echoing what other posters say, it's very rare for GPs to happily dish out zopiclone long term as it really is so addictive. So do be careful and have a read up on this so you don't feel complacent and that it must be OK because you have a prescription x

"I feel like a drug addict"
That's because you ARE, OP. But you can get help.

".....my mother was a drug addict and alcoholic and I always promised myself I'd never end up like that."
Children of addicts are much more likely to end up as addicts too, through a mixture of genetics and learned behaviour. More than anyone, you need to be aware of that and not take risks with alcohol, drugs (including addictive prescription ones), gambling etc etc. It only takes one to trigger that buried propensity for addiction so abstaining is best.

"We would really like to have children in the next year or two so I know I need to get some help with this."
Please, PLEASE make sure you're using adequate protection until you're completely clean. Getting pregnant isn't good for you and CERTAINLY not for a foetus and then a baby.
And until you can handle your pain without meds, being pregnant and potential post pregnancy injury won't be copable. If you've sciatica now, pregnancy will only make the pain worse.

Tell your husband everything. And go and speak to your GP. You need help and it needs to be on record so they don't slip up and prescribe something else in future if you don't tell them yourself you shouldn't take it.