Codeine addiction

[Lilacisthecolour]

Hi everyone, I’ve relapsed into opioid addiction. I suffered with this before which my GP helped me with, a tapering system but during the course of my addiction I lied to doctors and caused them trouble about the extent I was using, buying from chemists etc.
No chemists will serve me anymore and I’m terrified. I want to go back to my doctor but fear I will be thrown out for relapsing. He wasn’t a very nice doctor and feel he will just tell me to get on with it.
I guess my question is, will my doctor help me for a second time. I hate this addiction with passion but just cannot go cold turkey as I have to work. I look at my last packet filled with fear of what I have in front of me.
Please help.

Our local drug service takes on people with codeine addiction. They prescribe buprenorphine as OST (opiate substitution treatment).
You should be able to refer yourself.
Good luck.

Hi OP, sending you hugs. I have no idea what's in store for you but offer you strength. I can see how your GP and other chemists are not keen but, sadly, the price you're paying emotionally, includes trying to manage this.

I thought about referring myself to the local drugs service but don’t know if that’s just substituting one thing for another. I’m so so scared.

I used to work for a council, they have truly compassionate people working in the drug and alcohol services. I think it's a great idea to contact them, they'll be able to help you. Good luck

Just be honest, get a subutex script thru addiction services and taper down/off purposefully. The discomfort is minimal and v doable. Happy new year.

Don’t be so hard on yourselves - they know these things are addictive because people before you have become addicted to them.
you’re right that you shouldn’t go cold turkey as the withdrawals could be awful,
A family member is tapering from some prescription meds slowly as the withdrawals are so horrid and the best way has been with liquid versions so worth asking about those and then tapering so, so slowly - those tiny syringe babies use can help to reduce a tiny amount at a time.

Go slowly and don’t be hard on yourself, also soem GPs know nothing about withdrawals and reducing slowly (some will just think it’s fine to go cold turkey and it isn’t!).