I need help, to stop codeine!

[Misery88]

Hi, everyone

I’m addicted to codeine.. Wow, that felt weird, I’ve never said it out loud before. But I am, I’m on 8-10 pills a day of 30mg/500mg Co-codamol. For over 3 years now. Last Sunday I decided to go cold turkey, I managed, barely, for 5 days….. then I saw the pills on Friday and I thought “if I take just two, all this illness I’m feeling will go away” so I did.. then I took 2 more and then again 2 more and so on. I relapsed :( it’ll be barley 12hrs since I last took, and I feel so upset, frustrated and annoyed. I can’t believe I gave in. Now all I can think is “I’m going to go through it all again, the nasty flu like symptoms, the sneezing, the headaches, body aches, zero energy or motivation. And it’s scaring the gel out of me. I don’t think I can do this again, but I don’t want to go to my GP. I’m riding solo, no one ones because of the guilt and shame I feel. They won’t understand. I just would like to talk to someone, can someone give me advice?

I'd advise you not to go cold Turkey for starters.
Try having longer gaps between each time you take them, and slowly extend the gaps. Just 30 mins every 4 or 5 days. Set a reminder on your phone.

Where are you getting all the do-codamol from? I assume either online, or you're visiting several different pharmacies?

I was addicted for years. Cold turkey is awful. I eventually quit by taking half a pill a week less so it was barely noticeable. That worked.

I'm in the same situation. I have been addicted for about 6-7 years . I suffer with awful anxiety and I was at Rock bottom where I felt the only way out was to end it all . I had to go to hospital for an operation and they gave me pure codiene , not mixed with anything . As soon as I took them I felt away with the fairies basically lol and so happy but what normally would bother me didn't . So o just kept taking them . I get them off the doctor every month . I take 3 at a time and take about 12 a day . I am not ready to quit yet . And I know i need to want too .

I have days where I really worry about my health because of them then other days where I think I would prefere to worry about my health than feel the way I did 24-7 . First time today I took 4 at once so that was 2,000mg of paracetamol and 120 codiene ! Strangely I didn't feel any different to when I take 3 .

You need to speak to your gp. They can give you medication that helps with the withdrawals
You are going to be faced with . Good luck op ❤️

@KnickerlessParsons , thanks for posting a reply. I think going cold turkey will just be unbearable, and having gone through it 5 days, it doesn’t seem like a lot, but I just can’t bring myself to doing that again, I’ve never felt so dreadful, and the thought of going through that again scares me. Your suggestion sounds like it could be more successful than going cold turkey that’s for sure. Hopefully this would limit or stop the withdrawals, so eventually my body would work as it’s suppose to without these little devils?

I’ve got a repeat prescription of 200 tablets every month, from my GP. I was issued them in my teens for menstrual problems, and severe knee pain (I had knee surgery in my younger years) for when the weather is cold. Then 3 years ago I had knee surgery again, so since then, I’ve not stopped taking them. I was only taking them when needed, but then eventually I lost control and started taking them when I didn’t need to. When I’m close to running out just before getting my prescription I head to pharmacies to get the lower dose. So I’ve always had access.

@Sunriseinwonderland Thanks for replying. How long did it take you to come off them completely? How bad were the withdrawals the way you did it? You said they were barely noticeable?

@maybeinanoter86 That’s the problem isn’t it. At first they work amazing, they take everything away, including difficult mental issues, but then eventually, they just stop working. I mean I’ve not had that same feeling for a really really long time, but I still keep taking them? I can say after going 5 days without and feeling the way I did, I’d rather just keep taking them, to avoid feeling that way again. I know I should go to my GP, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I don’t want it going on my record, then I won’t get the help I need for when I’m experiencing pain once a month for 7+ days and when the weather is cold. Being hypersensitive to pain isn’t fun. Let alone having to admit to them that I’m an addict… it feels so strange saying that… I’ve also done that, taken 3/4 at once, and felt no effect, just groggy, but then I try again, it’s a vicious circle. Have you ever tried to stop?

Why don't you try reducing by one tablet a week? It will be slow but manageable as withdrawal effects shouldn't be a problem and it will give you time to adjust psychologically too

I'll amend that slightly. I reduced by half a pill and stayed on that new dose for a few weeks. Then reduced again. There were no bad physical side effects because it was so slow. However the mental side effects were worse. I had to admit that I was addicted to pain killers for my mental pain more than my physical pain. I also had to go onto anti anxiety meds and have counselling. Codeine puts you in a warm fuzzy mental state that kills the pain in your head.

If you cut down very slowly you won’t feel like you did for those 5 days. But you will need immense self discipline for the whole time you are reducing which will be months.

Can you find some strategies to help you stick to your goal? What if you talked to your gp and asked for a fortnightly telephone checkin?

I do think it’s likely you will experience some unpleasant physical effects at some point, so be prepared, if it happens don’t let this put you off from your plan.

And lastly be aware of your psychological addiction as this is very powerful, your brain telling you that you need or want them, whenever you get this message ask yourself if it really true. Do you really need and want them or do you want to carry on and become independent of them.

I’ve read that as a last hurrah, the addiction centre of your brain will give it another go approx one month after you have completely quit, so look out for that too.

best wishes OP

I'm not sure if this will help or work for you
My first addiction was cocodomal. I get addicted to evvvverything. Not just medicines, I have repetitive tendencies but painkillers the most. I have chronic pain as well so managing it is really difficult as I do need the pills for pain but have problems overusing

I bought a 7 day empty pill box
Took strips of 30/500 and OTC 8/500. 4 boxes for each day. 70% higher dose 30% 8mg
Then the next week I did it again but with less 30mg's and more 8's. Then I was swapping out a couple of 30's and adding in paracetamol instead
It worked only if all pills were same shape otherwise in my head I'd know which was which

But really, you have to be in the right mindset and want to do it I think
My advice is if you are getting them from the gp don't tell them you're wanting to stop yet. From my own experience they set you to a plan to reduce with capped number of tabs and the anxiety sends you backward. They were releasing 1 week supply which is great and I find so useful (I still use this service for all my tabs) but when the amount starts decreasing it is scary

I now take dihydrocodeine (sp?) with paracetamol 4 times a day for my pain which is the same mg as the cocodomal I used to take. But I don't have the addiction anymore and feels really good when if I ever run out of my tablets I can take paracetamol and manage my pain. Not like I used to go into panic mode, in a tizzy and rotten mood worrying and chasing doctors worried they'll not fill the prescription in time etc

I hope this helps. You can do this. If you are ready you will do this. Well done for coming on here and sharing xx

Hi everyone,

thank you all so much for the replies. Sorry I’ve not replied yet. I will individually when I have the time. It’s hard handling this and working also. A quick update, I’ve opened up to a close colleague and they’ve been great, I’ve also managed to find a tapering program, so I started that yesterday, it’s suppose to last 16 days, meaning day 16 I’m to have 0. I think it’s a bit fast, but I’ll try it. I’m definitely determined to stop this. Once again, I’ll reply individually when I’ve got a minute :) xx

@Misery88 I had to have a major operation last year and to have to done I had to do two things.... reduce my steroids (had been on a massive dose for years) and the same with codeine.
At one point over covid I was on 50 30mg tablets a day. I used to fall over all the time, I injured myself, I was constantly asleep.
I slowly came off both... tapered the dose.
Only have both when in crisis in hospital and for short periods.
They allowed me to take that many as I have acute malabsorption problems.

Hi Op,

I just thought I’d bring the attention away from the physical side of things and bring it towards the mental side of addiction.

Battling the physical withdrawal is one thing, but if you do not address the underlying reasons why you started and continued to take them in the first place you will very unlikely beat your addiction. Whether that be any reason.

You have already mentioned guilt and shame. As long as you continue with feeling the guilt and shame addiction will be hard to shake. Have a look at the root causes as to why you feel shame for example. Are there some underlying issues regarding self love and kindness to yourself there? What are the reasons why you would abuse your body by taking such a high dose (other than physically needing it?).
I would also ensure you put safety measures in place, such ad removing ALL opiate based products from access, from your home, car etc. As we can do easily lie to ourselves if it’s in reach. If it’s ever needed, a doctor can prescribe it to us. I would reach out to your GP and mention the addiction, they can make a note on your file to prescribe with precaution.

We need to fully love ourselves to understand the root causes and accept and it starts with inner work. Cutting the physical part is half the battle.

I wish you all the best on your journey, acknowledging it and talking about it is a huge step to recovery, well done!!

Kind regards, a recovering opiates addict

Hi how long did you do this for to be able to stop? How many were you taking to start with?

I’ve been addicted to codeine for 15yrs now. It all started with a operation for a Gaul bladder removal and given cocodomols for pain relief and 15yrs later my addiction has become out of control to codeine. I went to my doctors 5yrs ago for help but they was absolutely useless. All they did was stop immediately my prescription for cocodomols.
so now I’m on my own . I’ve gone cold turkey many times but after 8 days of terrible withdrawals I go back to codeine.
my doctor no longer prescribed codeine to me so I buy Nurofen plus, 62 tablets of Nurofen plus a day!!!!! I have to hop around to different pharmacies and have the embarrassment of sometimes being refused Nurofen plus!
my last cold turkey detox was terrible, restless legs, sweats, tummy pains, shits etc but I usually start feeling better at day 7/8. I’m so disappointed in myself for taking these tablets again and now I have to go through detox again! I’m on day 1!
Any support would be greatly appreciated
thankyou.

Anyone else going cold turkey?

How are you getting on? What day are you on now?

Codeine addiction is a serious problem, with seriously long term and permanent health risks. Please don't be afraid to reach out to your GP, they should firstly run a full health check (especially on your liver), and connect you to addiction services.

Professional help is recommended for any form of addiction, be it codeine, food, class a drugs, alcohol, gambling. It's to help set you up for success. Good luck to you.

@YellowMonday what are the risks and health problems of you don't mind me asking? I am on it permanently.

Do you take it for a medical condition regularly?

Everyday yes.

What's your condition if you don't mind me asking? I would have thought the doctor would have weigh the benefits vs the risks if they have told you to use it everyday. I thought cocodamol was more a problem due to the paracetamol in it but I may be wrong on that

How are you getting on?

Does anyone have any recommendations for online support services? I suffer terribly with anxiety and really struggle to talk to people wondering if an online service may be helpful

Did this method work for you?