Codeine addiction

[Hairsprayinthesink]

I am/was? addicted to huge amounts of codeine (plain, not with paracetamol). I was taking about 400-450mg a day, all in one go, to get high, and sometimes these doses twice a day. I’ve been tapering off and now only take between 15-30mg a day. It started as a great way to numb the physical pain from a disability and then it became w way to feel good and then it became an inability to survive the day without it. I’m proud of how far I’ve come now but would appreciate support if anyone is around. Cheers

I’ve never had a codine addiction, but I can imaging the strength it must take to cut down and look to quit. I hope you’re bloody proud of yourself, you’ve done amazing

The withdrawals are like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Absolute frightening time, thought I’d have to either to go hospital or go and get some suboxone or something but today I feel brand new and I’m not taking any codeine today and hopefully the fact that I’m not taking any at all isn’t going to trigger more withdrawal!!!

@ConfusedAdultFemale thank you so much for the support!

Is anyone around? I’ve no energy whatsoever and feel like boiled shite but I’m two whole days without any codeine now- 48+ hours. So proud of that and determined never to go back to it!

Well done op hope you're feeling a bit better now

@FourteenthDoctor

Well done op hope you're feeling a bit better now

Thank you so much I’m still slightly queasy feeling and low on energy but I suppose I’ll just have to get used to it. Day 3 without codeine 💪🏼 So glad I did it

How're you doing op x

I got it for an accident I'd had. Quite liked the buzz. Actually lied to my Dr about another back accident a year later and got another big box. Only took it at bed time. Helped me relax and made me happy and gave me a really deep sleep.

Realised as much as it was nice, it wasn't real. The happiness wasn't real! Haven't taken them since. Wouldn't mind taking them again as I know I can go without, but certainly wouldn't fib to get them again.

rjacksmiss That's exactly what I used to do too, in terms of taking it when I went to bed. Realised I was having to take more and more, and the sleepiness started to impinge on my daytime as well. And I had the worst constipation. This is my second week without it now and I'm beginning to feel very good indeed. Clean and dry, so to speak.

But how are you, OP?

Thank you for asking I’m free from codeine for 6 days now 😁 pleased to be free finally. My stomach is still hurting sometimes and my mood is up and down, plus I’ve got no energy, but I am disabled so I will just have to get used to it. The ‘energy’ I previously had was all false anyhow.

Dang I’m so poorly today! Can’t decide if I’m ‘normal ill’ because of my conditions or it’s some kind of withdrawal again? Or if I’ve caught a bug from one of the kids I work with. Feel like a big pair of knickers.

How are you?

I stopped over 1 and a half days ago and am only just feeling the effects. I thought it would be quicker?

Neck, back and legs ache but it's the exact pain I started taking them for. I was taking 4 - 6 solphadeine max a day.

When we were in Asia or other countries I never took them and was completely fine. Managed 5 weeks last year then took them for period pain.

It’s sobering how easy it is to become addicted to codeine.

Can I ask, why do people get addicted? Ie. What effects does it give you? Feeling good? High?relaxed? Drunk/merry?

They take away the pain, but also make you feel relaxed and a better version of yourself. They stopped making me feel relaxed etc and sometimes there was no pain, but you have a urge to take them.

I never took more than it said on the packet, didn't always take the full dose or mixed the different tablets but you still form an addiction. Must be worse if you are prescribed the higher dose.

Standrewsschool It made me feel very relaxed and a terrific sense of euphoria - happy and that all was right with the world. I felt thankful. It's now 5 weeks since I stopped and I do still have an upset digestion system, but I'm waiting a few more weeks to see what happens before I think about going to a GP. It does take a short while for the withdrawal effects to start, and they change as the time goes on.....

How did you find the first few weeks mild?

Pretty grim, if I'm honest, especially that first week. It felt as though I had the worse hangover, or a virus, for 3 or 4 days. Then after that, diarrhoea! I gradually started to feel better, but missed it most when I went to bed. I've learnt some relaxation techniques which are helping. I don't want to go back to it - there's some evidence that it causes long-term internal organ damage......

I'm a little over 2 days now and slept fine. Just achy and tired. Just worried the aches will last forever! Also came on a week early on the day I decided to start so hasn't helped.

Just over 3 days now. Not feeling too bad. Grumpy and lethargic but also on my period so could be that.

11 days in and today is the first day I keep thinking about it. Very tired and flat. Have a low level ache throughout my body too. Similar to a very mild headache but everywhere. Had it for a few days but nothing will get rid of it.

Congratulations, Ash. It's like a horrible hangover, isn't it, which I suppose it is. I still haven't taken any but it's very hard. I'm determined not to, though.

So I'm over 3 weeks in. Not found it overly hard but I'm not sure of my next steps.

My lower back is burning, my shoulders and neck hurt, jaw aches, and my thighs hurt from sitting for work for a long period. I do get up and move around, and I do exercise but these are some of the reasons I would take them for. Nothing else is working. I'm wondering whether I've masked issues by taking them or this is rebound pain. My mother suffers from osteoarthritis and my grandfather had rheumatoid. They've not found an inflammation marker in my blood. But last time they looked was 6 years ago.

Not sure whether to wait it out for a few more weeks, or go to the GP, but will they give me cocodomol? I'd rather not take it.

I’ve been a fool and got myself back addicted to it! im At the tail end of a taper now and going down to 0 tomorrow. Updosed my daily steroid I take for other stuff because of how ill I feel. I wish I’d never been prescribed the stuff

How long were you off it? I've been in the same position. I'm 4 weeks on Sunday and I'm not going to lie, I could take one now. I did 5 weeks last year. It's psychological I think for me. A habit. Reading Mild's determination helps me. I'm just going to keep going. Watching Johnny Lawrence in Cobra Kai also helps.

I did 10 clean days. Had some pain and thought I could take it responsibly and it just turned back into a slippery slope. Finally feeling a little better and completely off again now, day 1 today. I will never be taking any ever again.