How do I tell the gp the mess I'm in

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I'm hugely dependent on codeine, it is prescribed but I take way over what I'm meant to 500-600mg daily which means I run out early every time. This means I can't taper done properly because I run out then have to buy otc and then it starts again. My husband has forced me to call the gp and tell them, I'm just waiting for them to call. I'm terrified though. Terrified they're going to call ss on me. I'm a normal person, I'm not a druggie on the streets, I'm not a scumbag, I'm a young mother of 3 kids who are my whole life.
I have my own home, job, husband etc but I am addicted to codeine through being prescribed them years ago for back pain which was never investigated. I now know that back issue is a herniated disc and it causes sciatica. I can't stop taking them as I get horrible withdrawal symptoms and I can't function. Please help me I don't know what I'm meant to do

I never knew how addictive these things were I was never made aware. Well I bloody do now ! They've taken over my life. I hate it and I am so ashamed of myself for getting into this situation

I don't know if anyone remembers but I am the original poster of the thread just told my husband im addicted to codeine. Well here I am over a year later not any better Infact worse.

Hi OP. Well done for arranging to speak to the GP. They will not judge you, and will be able to help you. Nobody is going to take your kids away. It will be alright. Just be as honest as you can be, and the GP will make a plan with you to taper off, and hopefully suggest some additional support as well. Best of luck, please let us know how the appointment goes.

You are not the first or last to be here, and your GP will not judge you - if they do, see another one! They are here to help and will have come across this scenario before. I have every faith that with the right support you will get better xx

It’s very concerning that you’re buying OTC codeine products which, presumably, are mixed with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Be honest with your GP. Accept whatever help is available and think about attending an addiction support group. You’re not alone.

I hate myself atm my children deserve better I love them so much and look at them and just want to cry how could I let them down like this ?
That's what's making me so scared to tell the gp.
I really think I need some kind of medicated taper do gps even do that ?

I know and I am ashamed

I have post natal depression also that no antidepressants seem to be working for I think it's the codeine fucking my mental health up so much

Sometimes, it’s easier to write things down so you have all the facts before the appointment.

Codeine addiction is a huge problem and d doctors are aware of it. Go and doesn’t them. They’ll help you (and won’t judge).

I know you are ashamed but you should be proud that you're taking this step to talk to your GP about this. It's very brave and it will help you and your family.

Opioids are very addictive, obviously, and shame shouldn't come into it. It's not a personal failure. Stopping now before you progress onto something more harmful is the important thing.

Please let us know how you get on.

No judgment, just a handhold. Hope the appt goes well, you’ve got this OP x

I've just called the reception in a state and they're going to hurry along the gp to call hopefully. I need to get it out now before I back down and lose my bottle

Well done for setting up the appointment with the GP, that's a major step. When you speak to the GP, don't feel ashamed, be fully honest with them, have tissues to hand, it will get emotional!

But this is the first step in getting through this, you can do it!

Don’t underestimate how brave you are for calling the GP and starting to put things in motion for change. Well done, OP. Don’t feel ashamed. Feel empowered. You’re starting the ball rolling towards a new and better life, without addiction.

My husband has basically forced me too I don't think I'd have done it otherwise being totally honest

Hating yourself OP is not going to help you, you need to be kind to yourself. This could literally happen to anyone as codeine is addictive. You deserve help I really hope the dr is helpful and supportive. They may tell you to taper down slowly - do you think you can do that yourself? Is your husband supportive?

You need to go and sort this out ! Social services won’t come and take your kids. You will get help!

the over the counter stuff is so worrying mixed with paracetamol and ibuprofen it’s so dangerous

i had a hard time tapering down after my c section and I got a bit of a shock when I realised how much I was still taking a month after the op! It wasn’t super far gone yet so I managed to cut down and stop without help - but the withdrawals are awful

there's no way you can do it without help with how much you’ve been taking !!

He is supportive but also doesn't understand very well as he's alot more strong willed than I am and also doesn't suffer with the huge amounts of anxiety that I do. I've really had a bad couple of years with my mental health, I've had two babies in 1.5 years and after my first I was under the perinatal mental health team with pretty bad intrusive thoughts anxiety and ocd, I was put on the right medication but then fell pregnant again at 8 months pp so very much still in the thick of it, and since I've had my other baby my mental health has crumbled and my addiction has hit a level it never was before.

I don't know if I can taper down because I've been taking all my prescription and topping up with otc so I don't get prescribed enough to taper down slowly and my husband won't let me buy anymore otc

I know I can't I've said this to my husband he thinks I can just taper down easily

I’m a doctor. Please be completely honest with your GP as if you’re buying over the counter and taking it with paracetamol or ibuprofen it’s essential that they know as you can overdose on the meds that come with the codeine.

write it all down if you can’t say it. They’ll help you. Today can be the first day of the rest of your life. Don’t give up!

Thank you. I am careful with what I've been taking, just not the codeine on its own. I've built up such a tolerance that normal amounts just do not help me anymore

If your GP practice is just prescribing on repeat each month without intervention or review, then they are partly to blame for your issues.

I'm not GP bashing here, BTW. They are not supposed to let patients just run on codeine uninterrupted forever. It is addictive. And this is widely known and talked about a lot.

Codeine has had warnings on the boxes for years that it's highly addicive. If you buy 'over the counter' a Pharmicist is also obliged to tell you the same. They will only sell you 3 days worth at low dose. If they see you coming in all the time, they shouldn't be selling it to you any more.

I have some pretty serious medical issues and I'm in a lot of pain. I'm prescribed 112 x 30mg codeine tablets every 3 to 4 weeks. I can take up to 240mg a day (if I need to)

If I was taking 480mg a day, they would be gone in a week. I don't know where on earth or how on earth you're getting your hands on 500 to 600mg a day (or how you are able to function at all on that dose for that matter)

I'm not judging you here, by the way. I'm simply pointing out that there have been some failures all round here. The only other possibility is that you are buying on the black market, so you would also need to be honest about that too, if that's the case.

Either way, you are going to need some serious support. I hope you get it.

Good luck op, you can do this but you have to be very honest with the GP about everything you're taking. You will not be the first or the last person that is going through this, Codeine is so readily prescribed but so addictive.

My Mum is 78, totally addicted to Codeine and has been for years but she is in so much pain with her arthritis that she won't even consider coming off of it and the GP just gives her more because there is nothing else they can do for her.

You've got this ❤️

5x30mg tablets 4 times a day is 600mg, that's why they run out so fast. I can handle that dosage because it's been years and my body is used to it, like anything I guess. But yes I see what you're saying. It's bad, I know it's bad and this is why I need help to stop as I just can't do it on my own. I'm not strong enough.

I remember your previous thread I think. Well done for arranging a GP appointment; please be honest with them, and if they're not helpful then ask for an appointment with someone else. As a PP said, it is partly their fault for allowing a repeat prescription of an addictive drug to run on for months (over a year?) without a review. Good luck OP 💐