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Original poster

No idea! Husband has had a 10 year addiction

55 replies

goodnightgrumble · 29/12/2024 21:38

He has been taking 1200 mgs of codeine a day!! I only found it as we have a courtesy car and I found them in the glove compartment by accident.
He is so sorry and promised never again. He is going cold turkey with advice from the Dr and is a complete mess. I will support him through this but I am not sure I can forgive him. I feel like it is 10 years wasted and been a complete lie.
I don't even know where to start. I am supposed to start a new job on the 13th but that won't be happening.

Any advice anyone? I feel broken. He has been getting them from a dodgy guy who he met outside a pharmacy. On the outside he has a good job etc and it is such a shock. There have been no signs!! Where and how do I start to process this?

OP posts:
derbiee · 29/12/2024 23:30

lleeggoo · 29/12/2024 22:13

I feel like it is 10 years wasted

How is it wasted?

This, i don't understand if it has actually caused issues then you would have found out before now or known there was a problem so sure it is not good for him but how has it actually caused you any issues?

What has been wasted?

Notaflippinclue · 29/12/2024 23:37

Do you mean 120 mg 1200 is 40 tablets a day. My DH has been on 240 mg for 10 years since he broke his back - he can't function without them

nonbinaryfinery · 29/12/2024 23:38

Cold turkey from a ten year addiction is going to be extremely dangerous.

Addictive behaviour usually comes with other negative aspects like criminal behaviour in order to get whatever someone is addicted to.

He's going to have to sit down and tell you everything because most pharmacies won't sell people multiple boxes of codeine per day, and some of them won't well you multiple in a week if they think it's becoming a problem, so you're going to need to find out where he's been sourcing it. It can be purchased online, but they will also quiz you if they think you're taking too much or have put too many orders in.

You can get it online via dodgy sources if you know where to look, so you're going to have to make sure he's honest with you.

Radyward · 29/12/2024 23:44

He is addicted as they took hold of him ..it was a bit nuts to buy them off basically a dealer. Was that all that was in those meds off said dealer?
He needs a liver check asap once he is weaned off. Ten yrs. How much has this cost him in monetary terms fgs not to mention the physical costs. He needs help. Professional help.
Addiction can happen to anyone He has admitted to it and now needs your support. Its a bit crap to treat him like what's on your 👞 shoes iykwim. Help him . If he successfully recovers if not you have choices

nonbinaryfinery · 29/12/2024 23:48

I've just realised you can't get codeine over the counter from a pharmacy, it's usually paracetamol and codeine combined (cocodamol). So if he's taking codeine alone, he's got to have a supplier somewhere.

He's going to need help getting off it, he can't go cold turkey it could kill him.

mathanxiety · 30/12/2024 00:56

Please don't give up your new job!

Has he really gone to the doctor about this? The cold turkey advice sounds really off.

mathanxiety · 30/12/2024 00:59

tribpot · 29/12/2024 22:12

Is he getting help from Narcotics Anonymous or a drug addiction service? Whatever he decides to do, you should look for support from the organisations for families of addicts - Nar Anon or Ad Fam.

Definitely don't turn down your new job. Don't make the mistake of thinking if you pour all of your energy into his sobriety it will make the difference. It has to come from him. Remember the three C's:

  • you didn't cause it
  • you can't cure it
  • you can't control it

This.

OP, he needs to ask the doctor for some real support.

Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 31/12/2024 23:12

CC222 · 29/12/2024 22:14

Despite what's happening, his current withdrawal is very serious and you or someone needs to keep a close eye on him to make sure it doesn't get to the point where he needs to be taken to a&e. Cold turkey drug withdrawal is highly dangerous.
Is there any family/friends of either of you that you can call to help over these next few days? If it gets unmanageable for you, please call an ambulance. He may well need medical assistance with this withdrawal.
Deal with this first, take time to process what's happening, then decide how is best to move forward. Therapy is probably crucial in this situation.
Please don't be afraid to ask for help x

Thankyou! We are getting help from a close friend who is a GP and went to the Drs today!

OP posts:
Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 31/12/2024 23:13

Notaflippinclue · 29/12/2024 23:37

Do you mean 120 mg 1200 is 40 tablets a day. My DH has been on 240 mg for 10 years since he broke his back - he can't function without them

Ye it is 40 tablets a day!

OP posts:
3luckystars · 31/12/2024 23:17

Why wouldn’t you start your new job??

What has that got to do with this?

I know you care about him but you don’t have to care for him, you are not qualified. He needs professional help to get off that amount. You should go to Al anon meeting yourself. Good luck x

Birdseyetrifle · 31/12/2024 23:20

No GP would tell him to go cold turkey.
I’m not sure I believe this story.

Original poster
goodnightgrumble · 31/12/2024 23:25

Well it's been a hard 72 hours since finding out and he has been to hell and back but he is now through the physical withdrawal. We are lucky to have a GP as a friend and a consultant psychiatrist in the family. They said cold turkey is horrendous but codeine withdrawal is not dangerous to the body but is a very nasty experience. He had a choice to do it slow or fast and chose to do it fast and get it over with.

We have been to our own GP today as well and has been recommended talk therapy. He is also going to go to NA and seems to be doing all the right stuff. Only time will tell!

OP posts:
Kimmeridge · 31/12/2024 23:26

40 a day?? That's 20000mg of paracetamol a day. That's a horrific overdose. How on earth is it possible to take that much paracetamol & not suffer the consequences. People die a painful death on a lot less

HoundsOfHelfire · 31/12/2024 23:28

LadyWiddiothethird · 29/12/2024 22:45

Not possible to go cold Turkey on that amount of Codeine,it is an Opiate.Dehydration is particularly dangerous with Codeine withdrawal.

Ring 111 and seek advice from someone in the know. He needs knowledgable input, not just a general GP

BountifulPantry · 31/12/2024 23:57

Kimmeridge · 31/12/2024 23:26

40 a day?? That's 20000mg of paracetamol a day. That's a horrific overdose. How on earth is it possible to take that much paracetamol & not suffer the consequences. People die a painful death on a lot less

The OPs husband is taking codine not co-codamol (codine and paracetamol).

Codine by itself does not contain paracetamol.

unless I read that wrong OP?

Likewhatever · 01/01/2025 01:33

There is no way on earth he is through withdrawal in 72 hours.

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 01/01/2025 01:36

goodnightgrumble · 31/12/2024 23:25

Well it's been a hard 72 hours since finding out and he has been to hell and back but he is now through the physical withdrawal. We are lucky to have a GP as a friend and a consultant psychiatrist in the family. They said cold turkey is horrendous but codeine withdrawal is not dangerous to the body but is a very nasty experience. He had a choice to do it slow or fast and chose to do it fast and get it over with.

We have been to our own GP today as well and has been recommended talk therapy. He is also going to go to NA and seems to be doing all the right stuff. Only time will tell!

Glad he’s getting help but why are you not taking up the new job OP? Yes be supportive but don’t throw away your prospects.

CoraTheExplora · 01/01/2025 01:45

That's 40 30mg tablets a day! They only come in boxes of 28. He should absolutely NOT go cold turkey

CoraTheExplora · 01/01/2025 01:48

I've just read you think he's over the withdrawal but it takes far longer to withdraw from codeine

spuddy4 · 01/01/2025 01:49

As someone who got addicted to codeine after being prescribed them for an injury he is absolutely not through the withdrawal in 72 hours.

XChrome · 01/01/2025 01:53

goodnightgrumble · 29/12/2024 22:04

Thankyou so much. I did not have a clue. 10 years!! I can't talk to him at the moment as he is withdrawing and wants to rip his own skin off. He is shaking crying and a mess. I am so angry but I can't show it yet. Apparently it has got really bad over the past six months as he has been able to get hold of as much as he wants. It also ties on with recent arsehole behaviour which I posted about earlier.
I know it's an addiction and it changes his behaviour but I am struggling as I want to rip his head off and then feel sorry for him. We have two young children. I think it started after he had pain meds for a knee op and he liked the high it gave him. Just didn't expect him to keep chasing it for ten fucking years.

He needs medical support. Going cold turkey with that heavy of an addiction could be dangerous. Watch him closely and get him to a hospital if necessary.

XChrome · 01/01/2025 01:54

spuddy4 · 01/01/2025 01:49

As someone who got addicted to codeine after being prescribed them for an injury he is absolutely not through the withdrawal in 72 hours.

Agree. On 1200 mg a day for ten years, not a chance.

XChrome · 01/01/2025 01:55

CoraTheExplora · 01/01/2025 01:45

That's 40 30mg tablets a day! They only come in boxes of 28. He should absolutely NOT go cold turkey

Totally. That's scary as hell. He needs to be in rehab with an addiction that heavy.

OohRains · 01/01/2025 03:11

Impossible to be through withdrawal in 75 hours.
My EXH was on the exact same, 40 a day for 10-15 years (the initial 5 was codeine only followed by 10 of Nurofen Plus so Bruce's and codeine mix).
Cue a YEAR of daily pharmacy visits for a tapering drug, community rehab. His kidneys were absolutely cooked when I eventually did take him to ED as his body was clearly shutting down.

He went back to it though after getting clean, once an addict always an addict. Also replaced his addiction at first with alcohol.
Leave while you can.

Wintersonata · 01/01/2025 08:33

He went back to it though after getting clean, once an addict always an addict.

That is true that once an addict always an addict but plenty of addicts have got clean and sober and stayed sober.
Op it’s great if he’s going to NA - he will find help and support there from people who have been through the same thing.