Cocodomol

[hk1993x]

Hi all, I have mental health issues and feel like I am addicted to cocodomol, it gives me like a burst of energy where I feel like I am the person I am supposed to be. Excited, spontaneous etc. Without it I feel numb and empty. I have been using solpadiene max from the chemist but never go over the daily limit.

I have ocd also so I feel like it's a compulsion now at this rate. I've been addicted to it before and came off it then when my mental health got bad again I started it again. I also found some tramadol in my cupboard which I've just taken 2 of. I had a round of ECT today so my head feels a little achy and paracetamol and ibuprofen do nothing.

Please tell me that I'm not the only one? I feel like such a waste of space and a loser. I had to defer uni due to mental health, I have a dh and 4 kids who are my world but I just feel like I can't function "happily" and everything is always a chore when I haven't taken any of the opiates. I have diazpam but that doesn't even do anything "mentally" for me so I only use that when I'm having a panic attack or my anxiety is really bad.

I guess I'm just getting frustrated as I just want to feel normal. I want to wake in the morning feeling refreshed and look forward to the day ahead. 😪

You are a drug addict. If you need opiates to get through the day, you need help. Narcotics anonymous, your GP, your MH team. And you need to stop taking them straight away.
I hope you get the support you need

That's a really nice way to put it to someone who is currently going through hell with their mental health. I don't exceed doses, i just feel like I don't produce the natural feelings like a tablet gives me if that makes sense?

I am going to speak to my mental health team in regards to it. I beat it before and I can do it again, was just really looking for some guidance.

PP was blunt but correct - if you cannot get through the day without taking opioids, even though you’re within the correct dosage range then you are a drug addict and do need to seek urgent medical help.

I’m sorry, but co - cudamol addiction is a real thing. .You admit you are not using it as a painkiller, but to give you a high . This in itself should tell you what is going on. .

contact one of the organisations mentioned above and start recovering. You’ll feel better for it.

That's a really nice way to put it to someone who is currently going through hell with their mental health. I don't exceed doses, i just feel like I don't produce the natural feelings like a tablet gives me if that makes sense?

PP is right you should take that advice

Op I disagree with the way others here have responded to you. Knee jerk reactions and judgements are not helpful.

you prefer the way you feel when you’ve taken opiates. Totally understandable and it’s a very seductive drug. That’s why people use all kinds of drugs. It’s to self medicate and feel better.

I totally get it.

the problem is that you need more and more drugs for the same high. Tolerance builds fast. Then you have the cost in financial and health terms.

its not a panic but if you can try to find an alternative way of feeling a high then you’ll be less consumed by this
its incredibly hard.

Nobody is having a knee jerk reaction or being judgemental - they’re stating fact. A key part of getting help and recovering from addiction is the realisation + admission of the fact that you have a real problem

You are self medicating to feel better but you are addicted to the cocodamol. Pp sound blunt but they are correct. Soon you'll develop a tolerance and the recommended dose won't cut it. Then what are you going to do?

The ‘blunt’ replies on here aren’t helpful at all. I advise you @hk1993x , to step away from this thread and to seek help elsewhere.

Just to mention, the actual dose of codeine bought over the counter, is 8mg in Solpadeine which is actually a small amount.

The codeine content in Solpadeine Max (which the OP is taking) is higher - 13mg.

Are you on medication for your mh issues OP, it sounds like you are self medicating with codine instead of the underlying mh issue being properly medicated.

You've become dependant on that energy boost it gives you, but it's fake, all that will happen is you'll seek more and more as time and tolerance builds
Start to taper off before it grips you and you are a slave to it. Look for other ways to get your dopamine.
You may not be exceeding doses yet, but if you don't taper off you will, that's the sad fact of codeine.
Please get some help.

Ive been there OP, and I occasionally slip back in. Try and taper it off as best you can.

My problem was I was prescribed codeine after an accident. Its such a slippery slope. I don’t feel I need to take lots, but I’ll have a few a day, everyday.

I am under the home treatment team at hospital and recieve ECT twice a week at the moment, they are aware that I take cocodomol.

First of all. I take it because I get horrendous headaches and jaw pain after my ECT sessions.

I have ocd, I used to take paracetamol and ibuprofen everyday because I was terrified of becoming unwell. Now unfortunately that does not help with pain.

I'm not "abusing" the cocodomol, I take 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon and I feel that I'm covered if I get unwell? But I can't ignore the feeling it does give me, it makes me feel like I can be happy? I used to be addicted to it, I won't lie. And I came off it. I just started again when I started ECT treatment and it's the only thing, that and naproxen that helps with pain.

I know I'm not the only one, but I appreciate everyone's responses, blunt and caring. All I wanna do is get better, mentally and physically ❤️

That's exactly how I am. I have ocd so it's like a compulsion?

I actually have diazapam 5mg and haven't even touched them because they don't calm my mind? Just my body if I'm having a bad panic attack.

I'm going to speak to my MH team again about it, I dont want to take them. I just want to be a fun happy mum and wife 🥹

Yes I’ve just checked, it’s actually 12.8mg in Solpadeine MAX. This is still a low dose of codeine. I have a prescription dose of eight tablets in 24 hours of 30mg.

I am gonna stop it, I just want to feel "alive" again x

I have spoken to my DH and called my mental health team to let them know what's been going on. Been very emotional, just wanted to feel some happiness but I know cocodomol isn't the answer. I haven't been on it long so hopefully can get off it quickly x

Naproxen is very damaging to kidneys, even in ‘normal’ daily dosage
Those should be taken for a max of 3 days really , certainly not every day

I agree with this op and hope you can find something to help you feel better soon. Just was concerned about the codeine as it's an answer but not the right one. You are doing the right thing by getting support.

You take 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon at the moment. Thing is you may well develop a tolerance for it and increase to get the same buzz.

We would all feel happier on codeine, or say, drinking all day but it is obviously a risky way to live.

Many if not most people I would suggest feel shit a lot of the time but that is life. Learn to accept feeling shit and give yourself small goals and rewards to work towards that aren't opiate related. You only have to read this board to see usage can escalate very quickly

Hi
I work for a drug and alcohol service. Pls rest assured that this is very common and we see people with addictions to OTC drugs all the time.
Do call your local substance misuse service.
You are not alone.
It is vey common.

Hi all. I've only had 2 cocodomol this morning and have none left so tomorrow is a new day and fresh start without it. MH team is aware of the situation and I'm not going to let it get the better of me, I just like the fleeting moment of happiness it gave me during the dark times which I am still going through but I won't medicate with opiates anymore and I won't buy any. I don't drink alcohol so I'm going to find something else like maybe the gym or something x

No cocodomol today 🥳 celebrating they little small wins!

I just want to say well done for admitting all
of this, it’s no easy thing to recognise how it makes your feel and then taking the first step in writing it down, let alone posting it for all to read.
Also congrats on no cocodamol today. Good for you.