Codeine is a prescription narcotic pain reliever and it is more dangerous and addictive than most people give it credit for. Just because it is not as strong as other opiate medications and drugs out there, does not mean abusing this drug should be taken lightly. As the abuser’s tolerance begins to build up, higher and higher doses will need to be taken to achieve the same desired effect and high. Once the abuse has gone on long enough, a person will become both physically and psychologically dependent on it. Just like any other opiate drug out there, codeine causes changes in your body’s brain chemistry and central nervous system. As time passes, the brain will become dependent on codeine to simply function normally. Once codeine is stopped being taken, withdrawal symptoms will set in. To simplify this, it is your body’s way of learning how to function again without the drug in your system. 
Medical Detox for Codeine Abuse
Medical detox is always recommended for abuse and addiction of any drug and codeine is no exception. Detox and withdrawal from codeine can be uncomfortable, and in some cases even painful, and difficult to get through on your own. It can even cause someone to keep taking codeine simply so they do not have to experience these symptoms even when they want to kick the addiction. Medical detox is set up to have doctors and addiction specialists do what they can to alleviate and even avoid any severe withdrawal symptoms that codeine causes. There are also instances where the drug addiction with this particular opioid would be combined with other drugs like Xanax; which is a Benzodiazepine.
What Does a Codeine Detox Look Like?
This will likely happen with the help of an opioid replacement therapy that involves taking medications specifically meant to wean your body off of opioids altogether and manage any symptoms along the way. Medical detox is the best choice and best first step and quitting a codeine addiction. Some commonly prescribed medications to aid in the opiate/opioid detox process include the following medication:
- Buprenorphine – This lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms and shortens the detox process.
- Methadone – Helps improve any drug cravings.
- Clonidine – Helps manage physical and mental withdrawal symptoms.
- Naltrexone – Helps by preventing recurring use or relapses.
As mentioned before, codeine detox should not be attempted on your own or without any medical supervision. It is risky to do by yourself so seeking medical assistance is always the safest option. Many people attempting detox at home try the cold turkey method. This means they abruptly quit taking codeine. Most of the time this will lead to a relapse and continued use that you just cannot get away from. The symptoms of withdrawal can start even after just a couple of hours of the last dose. Without the help of medical detox, you will feel these symptoms full-fledged and they can include insomnia, headaches, muscle and body aches, fever, nausea and vomiting, sweating, stomach pains, diarrhea, dehydration, depression, and severe drug cravings.
Treatment for Codeine Addiction
You should not take codeine addiction lightly. It will ruin your life quickly and will turn you into a person you never thought you would be. To recover from codeine addiction, you need to fight for your recovery from addiction just as hard as you fought to get that next high. You can stop letting it control your life. Medical detox is the best first step at getting out of active codeine addiction. Once detox is complete, the journey does not end there. There are many different treatment options you can choose from to better understand your addiction and learn how to fight it. is a lifelong commitment and to be successful at it, you have to choose to continue sober every day you wake up. If you are ready to take the steps to get sober and get your life back on track, then Evoke Wellness Miramar is the place for you. Give us a call today to discuss your or a loved one’s codeine addiction treatment options.
