Codeine - time to stop, help me creat a programme?

[NomDePlumeForThis]

I've done a shit ton of reading and found the most recent, large, codeine ("just told my husband...") thread super useful before it was removed. OP, I hope all is well.

For me, I am taking 8 tablets N+ and 4 zapains (paracetamol) every day.

The pain is foot pain and lower back pain, but as I've been losing weight, those issues have lessened off so I don't need them any more. But I want them. I want that buzz.

Sometimes I'll think fuck it and take 8 in the day (usually just take at night) and enjoy the warm buzz at that point for a few hours we'd.

I sometimes take even more, as much as 16 - 29 N+ and 8 zapains

I want to stop, but I can't tell anyone. I can't tell my doctor.
I can't tell my family. I can't tell work.

How do I do this?

I want to get to 8 N+ and 4 zapains and evening and taper down from there...

Thank you, and love to you all struggling with this.

NdP x

*create.

Really wish there were an edit button on this website!

Ps I am aware that I need to tackle the life stuff that's happening to make me take these pills. I'm working on that.

I just realised that no one has responded to you yet. To be honest, I think you need to do this with clinical support - so see your GP for a plan.

If you don't want to do that, I think you need to find a support system. The medical and detox side of coming off of something is one thing, but all of us who are addicts have ended up using for reasons that have nothing to do with the substances themselves. When you take the drugs away, you're still left with all that shit, so it helps so much to have other people who understand to talk that through with.

There are loads of ways you can do this without having to 'go anywhere' if you aren't someone who would physically go to a support group. You can look at NA online - you can go to any online groups without having to be on camera and can just listen. You may also find some Facebook support groups (I'm an alcoholic, so unfortunately, can't point you to any that would be a good fit). I would also start listening to some addiction podcasts. Sounds weird and wanky, but I've learned so much from podcasts and found really useful suggestions and tools that way.

I thought I'd update because I think codeine is quite the issue at the moment for women (mothers here, I guess) and it's nice to see someone do the whole thing.

I printed out a table (which I created, feel like a bit of a whizz) and dropped to 8 nurofen plus a day plus two zapains (co-codamol). Then I dropped the zapain once a week along with a tablet of the N+.

I am now on 5 N+ a day, no zapains.

I take 2N+ about 2pm and before bed I take the rest (currently 3N+).

I am now going to drop one N+ a week (hence the odd number at night) so I should be off them fully in a month or so. If I need to, I'll drop by half but as things stand, I think it'll be ok (we'll see when I'm on my last one)

Side-effects:

loose bowels
sneezing
runny nose
restless legs
sharp movements
brain fog (first week only)
insomnia

What got better, when?

I took immodium for the first two days when I dropped anything, that helps.
Sneezing and nose running stopped quickly.
Brain fog stopped after the first 5 days (it feels amazing!).
Sharp movements - this might be still here, I'm not sure. But it's no big deal.

I am struggling with these restless fucking legs. It causes the insomnia - actually, to be fair, I'm not suffering from insomnia but rather I am more awake (naturally, for once?) and not wanting to die into sleep at 9pm so I am staying up later, but when I sleep I now sleep until the morning.

Insomnia was annoying for the first two or three nights. Sorted now, I am sleeping through.

Worst thing is the restless legs. I have pain in my lower back, I suspect from sitting at my desk all day/then rushing around. Driving etc.

I cannot wait for the restless legs to stop.

I've also started speaking with a therapist who specialises in this area. She wasn't concerned about the amount I was taking, so would see me (others wanted me to speak with my GP etc). I did make an apt with my GP but couldn't get in until July and today I cancelled it because I am feeling OK about it all.

So I have some accountability I am going to keep on seeing her and uncover why I wanted to turn off the old brain and step out of my life for a moment with the help of these tablets.

It's all getting better, I am off on a walk now to satisfy these bloody legs. If anyone had any ideas for them (I know about magnesium spray, potassium, hot baths, massage, cold fee etc) I would love to hear them!

For anyone wanting to give up, take your time. Make a plan. The side-effects are nothing compared to how "here" you will feel. Not having to buy those bloody tablets all the time too, what a freedom!

NdP

Ah well done!!! You sound really determined and I wish you the best of luck

Gosh in the same situation. Please reply if you would like to talk. I totally understand what you are going through and the insanity of not being able to stop this awful cycle of madness. The sneakiness and the damage we are doing for a tiny little buzz.; ‘if that’.
Sorry you are going through this.❤️

Do you have details of the therapist you used? Was she a counsellor/cbt?

She is a counsellor based in the Midlands. I will message you.

Thank you

I agree, OP, it’s a massive issue, you only have to look at the rolling ‘solpadeine’ thread on here to see it played out plainly.

Im glad you’re getting help. Good luck, I wish you continued success.

Sorry it’s a syndol thread, not solpadeine.

Just want to give you some support as I was once addicted to codeine. Not huge amounts but couldn’t go without it. I was fed up with the clock watching so decided to go cold turkey, first few days was hellish but it gets massively better after that.

I have tried all sorts of drugs in my youth but codeine had me hooked for some reason.