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 was given codeine once and liked it too much! - so ditched them. Enlist the help of your GP and gradually reduce the dose - start with one half tablet less for a week, then another half.

I realise this thread is focussing on the psychological addiction of codeine. But, for those taking large quantities of Co-Codamol or similar, please be aware that paracetamol content at those levels can cause irreversible liver damage.

Omg so this is really hard for me....
My mum passed away in 2008 and ever since have on and off been addicted to nurofen plus and solphadine max.
There said it
The doctors did help but I still abused the medication. My husband knows about my past addictions but dosnt know I'm active again.
My best friend died 3 years ago suddenly and that lead me back to addiction.
I buy them online too and in chemists local.
I cannot belive how comman this addiction is.
I am at the end of my teather.

You've been really brave to admit this and your doctor will be more than willing to help you again. The vast majority of people addicted to anything will relapse at least once. It's the trying again that counts. Do you feel able to book an appointment to speak to your GP and ask for help again?

Thankyou so so much for commenting. I really appreciate it 🙏
Unfortunately my gp told me that that was the only time he would help me.
I know I need to come off this myself but life's stresses and strains always get in the way.
I know that's no excuse but that's how my life and a lot of other people's lives are. It's just the way we cope with it xx

You would absolutely be within your right to contact your GP surgery and request to see another GP. He or she is going against policy by denying you further treatment and giving you a bizarre one time only offer.

Alternatively (and probably preferably as your GP surgery sounds very out of date on this) look up self referring options on the link below or Google your area name and 'addiction support self refer' to find specialised help from non judgmental services designed to help people just like you.

patient.info/treatment-medication/self-referral/refer-yourself-to-nhs-drug-and-alcohol-support-services#self-referral-for-drug-and-alcohol-addiction-services-in-england

From that link:

But if you're not comfortable talking with your doctor, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself, without a referral. You can use the links below if you know which city or Integrated Care Board (ICB) your GP is in.
If you are not sure which ICB you live in, you can find out by entering your postcode in this tool.

April Queen have you been to a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting?
You Will find help and support from people who’ve been through/ are going through the same as you.
All the very best to you.

Agree with this, there are multiple meetings daily online and they are very welcoming. Or smart recovery meetings

Will check it out thankyou 😊