Question for a gp regarding codeine addiction

[Quickquestionhl]

Hi, I'm really hoping for an answer. I've been addicted to otc codeine products for a few years now. I have tried and failed to stop and I really want some help. Nobody knows about my addiction and my partner would not be supportive.

I have been thinking about speaking to my gp but I am scared. What would be the most likely course of action if I do this? I also see a counsellor (privately) for ptsd and depression. She doesn't know about this either. I'm scared and ashamed to tell anyone but I know I have to stop.

You've actually taken a brave first step by telling MN online. Addictions thrive on secrecy; time to bust this wide open now because its controlled you for a few years already.

Why would your partner not be supportive?.

Do talk to your GP; what you tell this person is kept confidential.

Over-count is in the UK and has a helpline that operates every Tuesday evening. Their details are here over-count.weebly.com/

Addiction is a medical disorder, not a moral failing. Codeine products are not sold over the counter in many countries (including the US) because of the potential for addiction. Your GP will have seen and dealt with this many times before and will not judge you.

There is a medication called Suboxone that will help you manage the withdrawal symptoms so that you can detox from the codeine. Your doctor will know about it and may want to refer you to a specialist.

You can get shut of it, many people have, but it's not something you can do alone. It's a medical problem that needs treatment. Your doctor will respect you for having the courage to ask for help.

Good luck.

Thank you both so much. I just know my partner would be angry not supportive. I have a 4 year old dd. I'm scared would social services be involved?

I really am so scared of telling my gp but will try and build up the courage. I suppose I do see it is a moral failing on my part and feel like I should be able to overcome it alone but so far have not been able to do so. Overcount has a form you can email them so I am going to do that tomorrow the first chance I get.

Possibly ditching the partner would help you too.

Will pm you x

Well done for taking the first step. I think codeine addiction is one of those 'hidden' ones that people don't really think about and think it's easy to quit. It's not (family experience).

How much do you take and what is it you take? Could you start by lowering the codeine content or the amount you take - in small, manageable increments? With your GP's support if possible.

Lots of luck x

Well done on posting this OP. I have had addiction problems in the past. Your GP is a fantastic place to start & they will not judge you on your disclosure. They are used to people struggling with addiction, wether that be prescribed, over the counter, alcohol or illegal drugs. They will be able to put you in contact with the right help.
Please let us know how you get on & we are here to help support you.

I'm a Yank and not familiar with how social services operates in the UK. Here it would not be an issue unless the addiction was causing behavior on your part that put the child at risk.

As to your partner, he needs to see this from the perspective of the medical issue that it is.

Thank you all so much and thank you for not flaming me. I could cry. I am crying now. I take solphadeine max and nurofen plus. Recently I've been taking more then ever. I travel all over to buy it from different chemists. I panic when I'm running out. I really am so ashamed. I've been doing a lot of reading today online about withdrawal. I've been through it before but found it so hard to cope with my dd. I feel like I'd need a week to just stay in bed and get it all out of my system but I never have that chance. I used to see a psychiatrist for my other problems and I did mention it to him once but he didn't really pay attention to it. I wasn't so bad as I am now but I could see I was heading for a big problem. I self harm sometimes and I've started to realise taking the tablets is another form of self harm. Tbf to my partner, while he can be lacking in terms of support I think the way I am now would push most people to their limit. I keep thinking how nice it would be to be taken away somewhere and just looked after by professionals. I really am a state. I actually do want to leave my partner for a variety of reasons but it's not possible atm.

Sorry just realised I've started going on about other stuff there. Thank you all so much. I am seriously at the point where I know this has to stop. Thank you.

Please do not try to withdraw on your own, without medical support. There can be dangerous side effects.

You are quite welcome. I am a recovering alcoholic with many years of sobriety. I had to do an inpatient detox when I quit. You alone must do it but you cannot do it alone. Your chances of success go up dramatically with the right support.

Let us know how you're doing.

Thank you miss and well done on your sobriety . I woke up this morning feeling less force behind my wanting to quit than I did yesterday, but I still want /need to do it. I don't know when I'll be able to see my gp. Appointments are like gold dust around here, but I will keep reading about codeine addiction until I get one because I think that will keep in the right mindset.

Phone your GP and tell the receptionist why you want to see someone quickly. They aren't mind readers and I find ours are very helpful if you tell them why you want to see someone. They also have strong confidentially rules around receptionists.

Stay strong, you can and you will do this. For your DD if not yourself.

Well done for realising you need to make changes

I agree with having a chat with the receptionist/scheduling staff. In the US it's common practice to leave some slack in the appointment schedule to allow for last minute or urgent appointments.

Here's something you can add to your reading list:

www.projectknow.com/research/codeine/

As quickquestion pointed out, you need to take care of yourself so that you can fully be there for your daughter.

You really need to tell your counsellor too. Addiction is a mental health condition and they need to be treating you as a whole. There is more to coming off codeine than just tapering the amount and dealing with the physical effects. There is an underlying reason why you feel you need it, probably all mixed up with the PTSD and depression issues.
Good luck

Hi op, my husband has recently admitted to a codeine addiction which on and off has lasted for thirty years. He saw our go last Tuesday and has been completely honest about everything. There is lots of help available and other services that your GP can recommend. Please see your GP and try to be honest with everyone

GP not go!!

Thank you everyone. I suppose I just need to bite the bullet and go to the gp. I might ring them tomorrow as I'll have some free time then. I might post more on this thread just to keep myself on track. 30 years bath . That is a long time and must have been so hard on you both when it came out.

You post as much as you need. I'm also in recovery (also alcohol, but I could so easily have switched over to painkillers) and did deal with SS but it was because under the influence I was quite honestly unable to look after my DD. Your situation might be different as you are possibly not nearly as impaired as I was.

I suspect your situation with your partner is all tied up together with your ongoing mental health difficulties. Is there anyone else that looks after DD - if so could you get to an NA meeting? I've not stayed with AA but I found them so helpful in the early days.

Congratulations on your recovery Eliza. I really admire everyone who has taken the steps to overcome an addiction. I hope I count myself as one of them one day.

I've looked into NA but there are none near me. I've looked at what other support for drug addicts (bit of a realisation there that that's what I am) is available and everything is slightly out of reach actually. I can't drive (have aspergers and am dsypraxic which doesn't help) so I'm quite limited in that way. I wouldn't say the codeine impairs me in looking after dd, tbh my mental health difficulties probably do more than anything else but not in a way that she's at risk, more like I'm just not being the mum I want to be. I go through the motions but I don't always feel present.

I never thought I'd be in this situation. I have had a lot of struggles but always pulled it together and a few years ago its like I just completely fell apart and now here I am. I suppose no one imagines they'll end up this way. But I really feel like I am ready to stop now. Yesterday I was running out of codeine but I chose not to go out and buy any (normally I'd have gone out of my way to make sure I had some in). I took less than usual to make it last. I woke up this morning with bad stomach cramps and had to rush to the bathroom a couple of times because I'd not enough. I had some after and that sorted me out but still didn't buy any today. I had to really be careful so I have enough for tomorrow morning. I spent a lot of time clock watching for when I could take more but I'm quite pleased that I have had two days with less and that I managed to space it out. I will get some tomorrow but going to try and keep up the spacing it out, even if it means watching the clock and stuff. I might get some immodium in to help. I feel like my whole mind has changed, just a few days ago I never thought I'd have actively decided to not go out and buy some yesterday. And I think you all being so kind and so honest about your own stories has really helped. I've taken about a third of what I had been having a day. The last few months in particular I noticed I was taking more than ever and was getting really scared about the damage to my body.

I woke up with a bad stomach again and also received some bad news last night so not feeling brilliant. I was very tempted to go over my new lowered dose but stuck to what I have been doing and had a couple of immodium to help with my stomach. Also I ate a digestive biscuit and had a very milky coffee made with full fat milk. Not loads but I am underweight and normally wouldn't eat anything until night time. So feel kind of positive about that. I did go out and buy more codeine but I went longer in between taking my next dose and stuck to the lower amount again. I would be on my third dose by now on a normal day so it is definitely progress.

The effort I put into buying this stuff is embarrassing really. Today I got a taxi and a train to go to another town (I rotate where I go) and I spent nearly £50 in total on buying it and on the travel. It's boiling hot and I'd rather not have done that journey. Normally what I got today would last me for just 2 days, I'm determined to make this last a lot longer. Going to remind myself of the time, energy and money involved whenever I feel myself wanting to give in. Plus the anxiety and stress I feel every time I ask in the chemist for it. I rang the doctor today but couldn't get through (they have a small window that you can ring in to book an appointment). I found out they have a walk in clinic on some days of the week so I'm thinking I might just do that instead next week.

Sorry if anyone's still reading. I'm posting mainly to keep myself motivated. Starting this thread is the best thing I've done. It all felt so hopeless before.

We're here. You should be really proud of yourself making these changes. You're doing so well.

Yes, keep posting. These little victories, a milky drink and a biscuit for you today, sometimes an early night when you feel tempted, sharing your feelings, they add up and they become what sobriety/clean time is made of. You're doing great, and it won't always feel like this. Waving my pom-poms over the ether to cheer you on

The effort I put into buying this stuff is embarrassing really. Today I got a taxi and a train to go to another town (I rotate where I go) and I spent nearly £50 in total on buying it and on the travel.

Alcoholics do the same thing. I would split my alcohol purchases across several shops so that no one store would know how much I was buying.

How are you today @Quickquestionhl?