Codiene Dependence

[OzIrish23]

Hi everyone. I have done something extremely silly and have become dependent on Codiene in the family rm of Nurofen Plus. I take it a few times a week, amount varies between 12 pills up to 24 pills in a day.

I began taking them for back injury that developed from a difficult child birth, and they seemed to help the post natal anxieties. I've been taking the pills for 12 months and I am so tired of lying to my family and health professionals just to access the pills, and sick of hiding the boxes and my dirty little secret.

I've reached the stage where I am done. I'm financially, emotionally and physically exhausted and ashamed.

I've had my Renal Function Tests, Urine tests and a Liver Function Test completed in February and April for a seperate health matter, and thankfully there's no damage evident from the pills.... Yet.

I'm scared of what could happen if I don't stop. I've 2 beautiful boys and I don't want to die or become so unwell or addicted that I become a useless Mum.

I know I'll need time and it will be hard but does anyone have success stories on heating this addiction?? Any advice and encouragement much needed and appreciated ❤️

Hi OP, it is unfortunately so so common. It makes me so angry that such addictive things are so easily available - but that's big pharma for you. I would recommend speaking to your doctor, they will give you advice on tapering off slowlt and properly I expect. At the same time get some proper help with your anxiety whether that be meds or counselling.

I yonder what's different about the days you do take it from the days you don't? It might hold a clue as to why perhaps. Whatever the case get help now, you know these things spiral and spiral and the sooner you catch it and start weaning yourself off the better and easier it will be. I 100% believe you can do this, but you need to look at what you're not coping with and deal with that as well. Get help, you deserve it!

Thank you so much for replying and having faith in me. It kills me not being able to talk to my loved ones but I'm too embarrassed, and as a family we've been through enough I don't want to put this on them.

Honestly, the days when I do give in are the days my husband and I might not be getting on well, or I find life too much. It's like I crave the buzz and escape even if it's short lived... But I don't want to reduce my life span and health for a stupid high.

I know I need to see my GP, I guess shame and fear of being judged is preventing me. I think even just talking to someone in person will help so I'll book in for next week.

Thank you 😊

Speak to your GP. They will have heard it a million times before and won't be the slightest bit shocked or surprised. They can help you to wean off safely and also with broader support services.

Codeine addiction is very, very common.

Speak to your GP

Mine just did a pain med review and we've chopped abs changed what I use and don't etc

Well I used to take dihydrocodeine when it was available legally online. It wasn’t hard to stop and the mental effects only last a few hours so it isn’t really an ideal drug for that. I’m now prescribed benzodiazepine for my anxiety and don’t feel the need for any other drugs. I think you should cut down and stop because the doctor won’t help you and will will not prescribe you painkillers or sedatives in the future

OP I wish you well. My friend was addicted to codeine. She's been free of it a few years now thankfully. She went to CA and NA meetings to help her get 'clean'. I never had a clue until she told me she was taking two boxes of nurofen plus every day and had been for years. She's 50, a teacher, single mum with two lovely teenagers.
Please see your GP (when you can get an appointment) as others have said, it's sadly a common addiction and they would have heard it many many times before. Don't be be embarrassed or ashamed. Life is tough.
If you're feeling life is 'too much' perhaps anti depressants might help. I didn't want to take them but I eventually accepted that I needed help and have been on them for 15yrs.
I don't know how old you are but maybe you're perimenopausal and HRT would help.
Please speak to your doctor. I hope you can overcome this and I hope you can find real life support.

If it’s any consolation my grandmother was addicted to Codeine for decades and she lived till she was 89 (wasn’t the codeine that killed her) obviously you need to stop because you might not be as lucky but the main thing is that you’ve acknowledged the issue and are seeking ways to resolve it. I’m sure you will get there just don’t be hard on yourself xx

Thank you for sharing your friend's experience! It gives me hope that others successfully beat this addiction.

Thank you for everyone for your replies and positive stories and feedback. I really do appreciate it and it's sad to hear that so many others have struggled with this. I will see my GP and take it from there. Thank you again 😌

OP how are you getting on?

I’m sorry you’re in this situation, I am too. I was prescribed tramadol after surgery in 2012 and this began a 10 year addiction. When I couldn’t get enough from my doctor I resorted to other means. I’m ashamed to say I bought it off the street from dealers. I was and am a respectable mum of 3, held down a job but the opioids were the first thing on my mind in the morning and before I went to bed at night. When my doctor stopped my tramadol I started to buy nurofen plus from chemists; 32 tablets a day which was a massive drain on my finances. I have successfully managed to cut down to one tablet a day within the last few weeks but the fear is there of where I’m going to manage to buy my next packet from. I did the tramadol weaning through my doctor so I darent go to my doctor to tell him I got in a state with otc codeine. My family all think my opioid addiction is behind me so the lying adds to my self loathing and shame. It’s the mental health fall out I get when cutting down and have felt depressed all week with such a low dose of codeine in me. I sometimes feel it was the codeine that was stopping me from ending my life. Life felt bleak without them. But today is nearly over and I’m happy I have got through on just one nurofen plus tablet, I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow but it’s on my mind I only have a few left. I’ve lounged about with zero motivation and feel so tearful (opioids give us a great sense of well being but I know I cannot carry on like this. The pains from cutting down have been horrendous and I sometimes feel like I can’t walk due to the intense pain of my brain needing more codeine. But I am determined. You will get there, you’ve recognised you have a problem and that’s a huge step towards recovery. Please keep in touch if you’d like to chat about this. These opioids destroy lives and the lives of our families. My family would be furious and heartbroken knowing that I got into codeine after coming off tramadol. xxx

I used to take dihydrocodeine sometimes when you could get it from online pharmacies. Then I tried oxycodone a few times. A while ago but I still find myself missing it