Codeine Addiction Rehab
What is Codeine?
Codeine is a prescription pain reliever in the classification of drugs known as opiates. Unlike other opioids, it is not very potent, however, there is still a high risk of overdose. Codeine is mostly available in prescription-grade cough syrup, and has become increasingly popular to abuse among younger generations. Many people who abuse this form of the drug will mix the cough syrup with a carbonated drink like soda, adding in hard candy and even other substances, and sipping on the mixture.
Because it has a lower potency, it is not regulated or monitored as strictly as opiates such as morphine which are thought to be much more powerful and dangerous. This allows for much easier access to abuse. Regardless, it is actually quite chemically similar to morphine. Like other opioids, tolerance develops quickly, and when mixed with other depressants, can lead to comas or even death.
Codeine Abuse
As users take more codeine, they quickly become more tolerant of the drug. Just like other opiates, it has several effects that users find to be pleasant, such as euphoria and relaxation. Once tolerance begins to build up, more and more will be needed to feel these pleasant effects. That, combined with abusers tendency to mix codeine with other substances will lead to detrimental side effects or overdose.
Side effects of Codeine:
- Constricted Pupils
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Slurred Speech
- Confusion
- Lower Reaction Time
- Kidney or Liver Damage
- Memory Loss
Warning signs of Substance Abuse
It is not always easy to tell if substance abuse is occurring. If you see any of these traits in one of your loved ones, they may be struggling with substance abuse:
- Risky Behavior
- ”Doctor Shopping”
- Buying over-the-counter Cough Syrup
- Using Medicine when not ill
- Keeping Secrets or Dishonest Behavior
- Withdrawal from Friends or New Social Circles
- Using Other Substances
Codeine is considered a gateway drug, especially to other opiates. Many codeine abusers will turn to morphine or heroin to get a more serious effect. If you start to notice any of these side effects or behaviors in yourself, or someone you love, it may be time to seek professional assistance. At this point, reducing your intake may prove dangerous or lead to painful withdrawal symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately if you start to experience any symptoms or side effects to make sure that you are not at risk of abusing it.
Codeine Withdrawal
One of the many dangers of codeine withdrawal, is that of similar opioids: the potential of relapse due to how difficult withdrawal is. It is not particularly life threatening, and many choose to just stop it without treatment. However, because it does lead to some terrible discomfort, relapse occurs. Without professional help, many people suffering from the sickness of withdrawal end up relapsing just to feel normal again.
Dependence on codeine can be alleviated with much less pain and suffering through the assistance of a professional and accredited detox facility, such as Royal Life Detox. Understanding the dangerous effects of withdrawal will help you to prepare yourself for what is to come.
Withdrawal Symptoms Include:
- Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
- Depression and Anxiety
- Stomach Pain
- Sweating
- Fever
Depending on how much codeine you’ve taken, for how long, your age and overall health profile, withdrawal could last more than 8 days. Typically, you will notice withdrawal within 8 hours of your last dose. During the first day, relapse happens most commonly because of how intense the withdrawal is felt. The first few days are the most painful physically, but the days that follow are extremely psychological.
Codeine Detox Meds
In codeine withdrawal, relief during the five to ten days of these symptoms can be provided through various medications including:
- Clonidine
- Buprenorphine
- Buprenorphine with naloxone
These detox medications aim to ease the physical discomfort and help the user get some rest and relaxation. Warm baths, mild exercise, electro-chemically balanced nutrition, and the compassionate support of recovery-sensitive physicians, nurse, and counselors help ease a person through withdrawal. The last item is the most important, because your drug counselor will facilitate your entry in the most important part of codeine withdrawal, recovery-sensitive therapy, once you are able to attend. At Royal Life Detox, we make sure that all of our guests are given the same level of love and care so that they can start their life of sobriety with success.
Codeine detox medicine such as buprenorphine should be discontinued as soon as possible because buprenorphine maintenance can change into buprenorphine addiction, just like how codeine maintenance turned into codeine dependence or codeine addiction.
What happens after medical detox?
Following medical detox at Royal Life Detox, guests will begin a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment designed to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We offer a variety of detox options for treating drug addiction beyond just codeine. Our program helps to promote a lasting, sober lifestyle through sobriety and beyond. Our addiction specialists, from our therapists and case managers to our facility staff, are dedicated to providing the best in care and support. Our holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy incorporates individual and group sessions. We use other holistic methods, such as art, music and animal therapy to help our guests to learn to express themselves and communicate. At Royal Life Detox, we believe that emotional healing is just as important as physical healing. Our treatment features state-of-the-art activity, movement, and adventure therapies to create one program that treats mind, body, and spirit.
Guests may begin their recovery journey in our residential inpatient program and continue with us through PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living at our graduate housing residences. At Royal Life Detox, the guest is always our top priority, and we consistently do all we can to effect lasting change, that they might continue to lead healthy, sober lives long after they have left our care. This is not just our goal, but our mission.
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