Codeine Addiction and Rehabilitation

Codeine Addiction Rehabilitation Header
Last Edited: March 17, 2020
Author
Claudia Rose
Clinically Reviewed
Mark Frey, LPCC, LICDC, NCC
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Dangers of Codeine Abuse

Codeine is a short-acting narcotic used for the treatment of pain. It is an Opiate based substance used for mild to moderate pain symptoms. Codeine can be highly addictive, leaving the person who is using it with a sense of calm and pleasure. This kind of pleasure can lead to both psychological and physical dependence. Some people are prescribed Codeine for medical reasons and over time develop an addiction. Other people become addicted to Codeine by using it solely for the euphoric feelings it produces. Use of Codeine over a period of time will lead to the person creating a tolerance, which means that they need a larger dose to achieve the same euphoric feelings they once felt. With Codeine being a low-intensity Opiate, people who become addicted will sometimes turn to stronger Opiate substances such as Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, or Oxycontin, as a way to get the euphoric feeling that codeine once produced. They may also switch to stronger substances in order to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms. There are options to recover from Codeine addiction. We specialize in assisting people to find detox and rehab centers for substance abuse treatment.

Street Names for Codeine

Codeine can go by a verity of different names as well. The important thing to note is that Codeine can be a gateway to more hardcore drugs such as Heroin. Codeine and Heroin contain a lot of the same chemicals. So, no matter what the substance is called it could be dangerous if not taken correctly. Captain, Cody, Schoolboy, Purple Drank.

Click Here for a confidential benefits check to see if your insurance will cover the cost of treatment or call (866) 578-7471 to speak to a addiction specialist.

Codeine Effects

Codeine abuse can cause significant damage to an individual’s life. Liver damage, kidney damage, acute pancreatitis, legal issues, financial problems, inability to hold a job and incarceration are just a few effects that Codeine abuse can have on one’s life. The most common side effects of Codeine include vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, constipation and skin reactions. Everyone will have a different reaction to drugs and alcohol, but most of these symptoms are common in most drugs. Prescription drug abuse should not be taken lightly. Many people let Codeine abuse slide in loved ones because they think it might not be as bad as Heroin or Meth. That is not true, there are still huge risks when abusing Codeine. The effects can be stronger than people realize.

Warning Signs of Codeine Abuse in a Loved One

Codeine is one of the more commonly abused prescription drugs. Just because it is not always purchased illegally, prescription pills can still be addictive and bare harsh consequences. Addiction is a disease that hurts people on an hourly basis. The only harder than suffering from an addiction, can be to see someone you care about battle a substance abuse problem. People who suspect a loved one of abusing Codeine or other drugs should look for some of these signs:

  • Your loved one might start the day saying and thinking they will not use Codeine. But by the end of the day they are high off a large dosage. This could be a sign that they physically cannot go without consuming Codeine, there is a chance they have a chemical dependency to the drug.
  • Most people who are addicted to a substance, can only relax if they are on it. If your loved one gets sick or easily annoyed when they are not on Codeine, then they might be addicted. Their brain may be rewired to think it can only relax if they use Codeine and other prescription drugs.
  • Another red flag that might tip you off about someone’s Codeine addiction is if that person is using all his or her energy and money to get Codeine. Many who abuse prescriptions go to great lengths to illegally purchase them once they lose medical authorization.

Factual Dangers: Codeine

Codeine is commonly prescribed and often used for longer and more frequently than needed. A growing trend in Codeine abusers are mixing their prescription Codeine cough medicine with Mountain Dew or Sprite along with Jolly Ranchers, referring to it as Purple Drank or Lean. Abusing Codeine in this manner makes it all too easy to ingest way more Codeine than the recommended dose yielding a high risk of a potentially life-threatening overdose. Taking Codeine for longer than four months can be dangerous and is not advised. Codeine inhibits the memory forming functions and may cause memory issues. It also can suppress respiration and lower blood pressure. This drug should not be stopped suddenly, as life-threatening withdrawal seizures can occur.

Best Voted Treatment Centers  stars rating

Swedish Medical Center Addiction Recovery Services
Swedish Medical Center Addiction Recovery Services
5300 Tallman Ave NW 98107Seattle WA
Center for Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc.
Center for Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc.
4230 11th Street, Rock Island, IL, United States 61201
Phoenix House - Fairfax, VA
Phoenix House - Fairfax, VA
3915 Old Lee Hwy 22030Fairfax VA
Options Behavioral Health System
Options Behavioral Health System
5602 Caito Dr 46226Lawrence IN
A Better Today Recovery Services - Scottsdale, AZ
A Better Today Recovery Services - Scottsdale, AZ
15721 North Greenway Hayden Loop, Scottsdale, AZ, USA 85260
Specialized Assistance Services, NFP
Specialized Assistance Services, NFP
2101 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States 60616
Christians Drug Rehab
Christians Drug Rehab
27382 Calle Arroyo 92675San Juan Capistrano CA
San Joaquin County Chemical Dependency Counseling Center
San Joaquin County Chemical Dependency Counseling Center
620 Aurora Street South, Stockton, CA, United States 95202
Proactive Resources
Proactive Resources
44 North 9th Street, Noblesville, IN, United States 46060
Valley Hope - Grapevine, TX
Valley Hope - Grapevine, TX
2300 William D Tate Ave 76051Grapevine TX
Therapeutic Health Services
Therapeutic Health Services
1305 Seneca St 98101Seattle WA
The Kimberly Center
The Kimberly Center
8695 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL, United States 33919

True Stories of Addiction: Lying and Avoidance Got Me Nowhere

Justin’s life took a turn for the worst when he tried Codeine. Listen to his story to figure out how he recovered. – View all episodes now

Codeine Rehab Treatment

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise in the US and Codeine addiction is right in the middle. Deciding to seek professional help by enrolling into rehab for a Codeine abuse problem is extremely brave and you should be proud of yourself. In rehab, you will take part in intense therapy sessions so that you can learn about yourself while exploring how and why you took to drugs in the first place.

Many people start using prescription drugs to relieve stress. Working through a personalized rehab program can help you learn new ways to handle life experiences so that you do not have to turn to drugs. In a rehab, you will also learn about how addiction rewires the brain to think that Codeine is needed for survival and how it’s really not about will power. A good rehab program can also set you up with an aftercare plan the will map out fellowships in your area and give you a clear plan that will help you stay clean after completing its program.

Whether you decide on inpatient or outpatient rehab, admitting that you are powerless under Codeine, is a step in the right direction. In most cases, for the user to admit that he or she needs help is often the hardest step of seeking recovery. They might not know that they have options to cope with their substance abuse disorder. If you or a loved one need help finding a rehab center that can help you, call us now.

Codeine Detox Treatment

When people are detoxing off Codeine, they experience withdrawals. This can prolong the cycle of addiction because withdrawal symptoms can lead to agonizing pain and irritability. The best way to detox from Codeine is through a medically monitored detox facility. There a team of medical professionals will help to ween your body off the substance to help prevent withdrawal symptoms as much as possible. This is usually done using medication like Suboxone or Subutex in a decreasing dose over a period of five to seven days. Sometimes withdrawal symptoms can be not just uncomfortable but a detriment to your health as well.

Detoxing in an inpatient facility will also mean you have medical staff there to make sure that the detox is safely done. The medications available during a medically monitored detox can help to alleviate some pain and discomfort so you are able to get through this stage and on to the rest of your treatment.

There are detox centers across the country that can help you, no matter which substance you have abuse or for how long. More good news is that some of these centers may even accept your health insurance, so costs can be kept to a minimum. Even if you do not have health insurance, you should still call us. We will help you find a detoxification center that can help, no matter what your situation is.

Addiction to Codeine

Addiction to Codeine or any other substance can be caused by a combination of circumstances. Genetics can have a role in whether or not someone develops an addiction. If clients have a relative, especially a parent, who has addiction problems, they may be more likely to develop an addiction problem of their own. Brain chemistry can play a role in addiction. Someone who abuses Codeine may be self-medicating to make up for a deficiency of naturally occurring chemicals in his or her neurotransmitters.

Environmental factors can also come into play when people develop an addiction. Growing up in an unstable environment where they see their parents or older siblings using drugs can lead to them believing it is an acceptable coping mechanism. Psychological disorders can lead someone into a Codeine addiction as a way to self-medicate an untreated mental disorder.

People often refuse to look into getting professional help for an addiction, because they feel guilty. The feelings of guilt and shame are what fuels addiction. If you or someone you know is ready to take on rehab to cope with their Codeine addiction, call us today. We can go over your options with you on treatment centers, no matter which state you live in. Do not roll over and let your addiction win any longer. If you are willing to help yourself, then we are willing to help you. Change is possible.

Codeine Dependency

Using Codeine with regularity can lead to users developing a chemical dependency. Their brain’s chemicals are remapped in a way that makes them believe that if they do not consume Codeine, then they will not be able to function properly. They may feel anxious, scared or depressed on days they cannot get high. Because of this chemical dependency, when people try to detox from Codeine, they experience withdrawal symptoms.

Someone who is physically dependent on Codeine should not attempt to stop using without the help of a medical professional. Stopping the use of Codeine will cause the body to go into withdrawals. Some of these withdrawals are runny nose, chills, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle spasms, irritability, cold sweats and intense cravings for more of the drug. Withdrawals are a sign that an addiction has developed. If you experience withdrawals when you quit taking Codeine, you should think about getting help.

Codeine dependency can also lead to an untimely death. It is possible to overdose on Codeine if you are abusing it. The more you use Codeine the more you are going to need to take to get the same high, it’s called building up a tolerance. When this happens, there is a much higher chance of overdosing. There are many red flags to look for if you consuming Codeine including: blue lips or skin, loss of consciousness, lack or slow pulse, trouble breathing, chest pain, puking, and dilated pupils. Codeine abuse is dangerous and if you think you are having an overdose or someone you are with is, call 911 immediately.

Intervention for Codeine Abuse

If you have a loved one who is addicted to Codeine and you want to help but just aren’t sure how to go about it, you may need an interventionist. An interventionist is someone who is able to help guide the family through the process of conveying their concerns in a way that the addicted loved one does not feel like he or she is being attacked.

Addiction affects the entire family, the addicted person might not feel like he or she is hurting anyone but themselves, and the interventionist will be able to lead the family in showing their loved one how much the addiction is really hurting them. An interventionist will help get your loved one into a treatment center. The interventionalist usually will accompany your loved one on his or her journey to the rehab facility in order to help get the intake process completed.

One of the reasons your loved one might not be interested in getting help at this point is that he or she feels alone. Knowing that the addiction to Codeine is strong and will be hard to beat, he or she might need to be reassured that people will be there to help. An intervention gathering can help prove to your loved one that not everyone has given up on him or her. It takes a lot of courage to confront a loved one about a prescription substance abuse problem. Let your loved one know that he or she does not have to fight addiction alone. You can help you loved one cope with the Codeine problem. But you have to open his or her eyes to the idea of rehab first. – Learn More

Recovery from Codeine Abuse

Characters: Choosing to take on a life of recovery is a life-long decision. Rehab does not magically cure anyone’s addiction. People think that if they send their loved one to rehab, that he or she will come out never wanting to touch drugs or alcohol again. That is not how rehab works. In rehab, clients learn how to deny temptations and deal with stress so that harmful substances do not have to be the answer to a bad day. In doing so, they will also learn about follow-up programs and meetings to stay focused on their road of recovery.

The most common follow-up programs are NA and AA meetings. Millions of recovering users meet and connect with each other at these meetings which are conducted by the 12-step community. In these meetings, people can sponsor one another and help each other work through the 12-step program. Each of these steps will allow a former drug or alcohol user to cope with their addiction. Moving on and bettering your situation is the main goal of follow-up programs in recovery.

Getting past former mistakes made while abusing Codeine and other drugs can be hard. But there are programs that can help you transition through this tough stage in your life. Taking away the feeling of isolation is the only way to fully cope with an addiction. There is no reason to feel embarrassed about needing help to enter and complete rehab. If you need help finding a meeting in your area use our “Find a Meeting” button to sort through meetings by zip code. Or call us to speak with a representative who can locate a meeting close to you.

Codeine and Prescription Drug Abuse by the Numbers

Codeine and Prescription Drug Abuse by the Numbers Characters: The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported that 51 percent of teens who have abused prescription drugs do so because they are not illegal. Many teens are misinformed about using prescription drugs. Acting as a gateway drug to Cocaine and Heroin use, Codeine is extremely dangerous and abused by many people who do not have proper authorization from a medical professional to use it. NIDA states that 54.2 percent of people who abuse prescription drugs get them for free from a friend or relative. Many teens take to pill because of the easy access they have to them. Unauthorized prescription drug use is illegal and dangerous.

NIDA has also reported that 6.1 million people have used prescription drugs in the past month for non-medical reasons. Using prescription pills for recreational use can lead to addiction or the want and need to move on to street drugs such as Cocaine and Heroin. In 2010 NIDA concluded that 5.1 million people abused pain killers, 2.2 took tranquilizers and 1.1 million used stimulants for nonmedical reasons. In total, 52 million people in the US, ages 12 and up, have used prescription drugs for non-medical use at some point in their life. These numbers are only rising due to easy access by doctors over prescribing pills.

Prescription drugs are not a safer alternative. Do not fall under the false pretense that because doctors prescribe them to people that prescription pills are better to abuse than Heroin, Meth or Cocaine. They carry punches that can be just as powerful as illegal street drugs.

Finding a Solution to Codeine Addiction

Codeine can make anyone feel better. Not only does it relieve pain, but it can relieve stress, help people feel more awake and allow people to not feel so down about themselves. While these features of the prescription painkiller sound good, these are what could be bad about Codeine. When people are feeling down about their personality, appearance or way of living, they will look to anything just to feel better. Codeine can make that person forgot about everything that is wrong, even if only for a few hours. That is how most people become addicted to any kind of drug.

What Codeine abusers do not foresee when they start using Codeine is that it can lead to Heroin. Prescription painkillers are common gateway drugs to the hell that Heroin can cast. When people lose access their prescription pills and liquids, they turn to Heroin, even if they swore up and down that it would never come to that.
If you are having a problem with Codeine abuse, you should know that it is never too late. Do not feel that you are helpless. People get anxious because they try to layoff using Codeine by themselves, and are unsuccessful. This then strengthens their addiction, because now they have the thought process that they are in too deep. We are here to tell you that you are not in too deep, and that help is available.

In order to fully cope with a Codeine addiction, it is recommended that you enroll into an inpatient detox facility then complete an inpatient rehab program. You are probably having second thoughts about rehab while reading this. That is normal, most people do. But if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then now is the time to act.
If you give us a call, we can have someone who has lived through the hell of a substance abuse problem and made a comeback. Our addiction specialists handle the intake process so that you can find the help you need. Very few people know what to look for when selecting a detox and rehab center. You should give us a call to go more in depth about what to look for in a treatment facility, but use these common points when researching for yourself:

Personalized Plans
Because an addiction can stem from so many different depths, it is a good idea to plan on attending a rehab facility that offers clients personalized plans. These individual programs will be different for each person in order to conquer the different aspects of their addiction. Taking a deep look into why or how their addiction started in the first place can help them get their life back in order and avoid those same triggers moving forward.

Location
Right off the bat, many people want to attend a center that is close to their home. This may not be as effective as traveling for treatment. Getting out of town for a while can help those seeking recovery have an easier time staying focused on completing their rehab stint. When you call, our representative can help you find a rehab facility in another city or state, if you are willing to travel for treatment. Your normal surroundings are obviously adding to drug and alcohol use right now, give yourself a better advantage by getting away from all that while you work on yourself.

Therapy
You will want to select a treatment center that offers a verity of different therapies. One-on-one and group therapy might be the two most important when trying to recover from a substance abuse problem but some programs also offer family therapy too. Depending on the needs of your personalized plan, your therapy needs will vary. Working through therapy sessions with a professional therapist can allow you to look at your addiction from another point of view. You will then be able to see how you treated yourself and others during this time. From there, you can make a plan on how to change and fix these situations.

Living Accommodations

If you are going to complete an inpatient rehab program, you should look into what the facility’s living accommodations are like. You will be living on the center’s campus for probably 30, 60 or 90 days so you will want to try to select a place where you will be comfortable. This is also something else that we can help you cover when you call us.

Make Sure It Is for You
You should have final say in the facility that you are attending, because no one can go to rehab for you. It is not an easy task to complete an inpatient rehab plan. But it is possible, if you are willing to put in the time and effort. You should be going to rehab for you.

If You Need Help, Call Us Now
if you are ready to take on the recovery process then please call us now. We can help you get into an environment where the life-saving lifestyle changes you need are possible. If you are reading this in hopes of helping a loved one, your call is also welcomed. We can help you get in touch with an interventionist who can help you sell your loved one on detox and rehab.

How Group Therapy Can Help You

It is normal to feel isolated, that is how your addiction has left you feeling. One major key to rebuilding your life and getting sober will be to learn how to interact with people. Group therapy in rehab is a great way to do that. In group therapy, you can connect with people who understand addiction and recovery because they are going through it themselves. Your family and friends may not always understand what it takes to reach sobriety, so it can be hard for you to know who to turn to on a bad day. Group therapy can help you relearn how to interact in a social setting.

Most rehab plans, both inpatient and outpatient, offer some form of group therapy. Working through group therapy can help you realize that you are not the only one who is having a hard time with Codeine or other drugs. You will see that there are people who feel the same emotions you do when it comes to addiction. Do not try to hide yourself away because you think no one understand you.

Group therapy can also help you rebuild some social skills. Chances are you ruined a lot of relationships with friends and family because you put your Codeine use ahead of everything else. Learning how to once again interact in a group setting can also teach you skills that might help you rebuild those relationships. Finding acceptance with yourself and others can go a long way in the recovery process. Finding hope can be done if you see someone who was where you are now in a better place because of rehab.

The Effects of Codeine Abuse

When a loved one has become addicted to substances like Codeine, it can seem as though the world will never be right side up again. People in active addiction can behave uncharacteristically. Negative behaviors such as lying and hiding aspects of using are common. Illegal behaviors, such as stealing also come with addiction. The toll of a loved one and close family member engaging in such secretive and hurtful behavior can be enormous, causing trauma, grief, distrust and resentment.

Family therapy works to repair the significant damage that can be done during a family member’s active addiction. While your loved one is in treatment, you too will have a chance to learn about the disease of addiction.

Educational seminars are often provided as a part of family therapy and family workshop. Before meeting in a group with your loved one, you and other family members will have a chance to speak with a counselor and process what you have gone through. Spouses, children and parents are often some of the hardest hit by a person’s active using.

Family therapy allows all members to sit down and work through the problems of the past. A therapist will mediate the family group therapy sessions and help each member overcome his or her trauma. Family members also learn what signs to look for in their loved one’s behavior that would suggest a relapse. Enabling behaviors are explained and members learn how to avoid falling into the same roles as before, so that they do not detriment their loved one’s recovery.

Fighting Codeine

Breana’s life went downhill when she watched her mother pass away at 13 years old. She began experimenting with drugs, and it ended up taking everything from her. She was homeless, afraid and alone wondering what her life has become. She ended up getting pregnant and got on a Codeine program that didn’t help her recover, but rather, it made things worse. Her child was taken by CPS and she was heartbroken. It took some time, but Breana fought the battle of addiction and won. She is now living a clean and sober life with her daughter right by her side. If Breana can recover, you can too.

Find out More about your available options today (866) 578-7471.

Main Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is the most comprehensive form of treatment available. Checking into an inpatient facility mean you would be living in a residential facility. Individual therapy, group therapy, relapse prevention and addiction education are part of this type of treatment. Inpatient rehab varies in length of time from place to place but the standard lengths are 30, 60 or 90 days. Around the clock nurses and doctors are there to make sure you’re getting the treatment needed. If you aren’t making progress your program can be modified to suite you better. Inpatient rehab removes the clients from the surroundings that may have been contributing to their addiction and puts them around a group of people who are in the same situation.

Outpatient treatment entails living at home and traveling to a facility a few times a week for a few hours a day to participate in group or individual therapy. This form of treatment is best done after going through a medical detox. Outpatient rehab usually requires the attendance of 12-step meetings as a part of the program. This type of treatment is usually for those who are unable to go into an inpatient treatment because of work or family obligations. This leaves the clients in the same environment that helped lead to their addiction. Outpatient treatment is not for everyone but is has helped a lot of people achieve long-term recovery.

If you need help in trying to decide between inpatient and outpatient treatment, then please call us. We can have an addiction specialist help you choose an appropriate facility that will meet all of your personal needs. – Learn More

Traveling for Treatment Might be the Answer

Traveling for treatment is a very good option for someone who is addicted to Codeine. This will take the him or her out of the environment that may have contributed to the addiction. It helps to remove clients from their familiar surroundings so they cannot call someone to bring them drugs at the rehab or to come pick them up if they want to leave treatment. If they are outside of their hometown it is more likely that they will stay in treatment for the duration of the program and see that they complete their treatment. Your normal surroundings are obviously helping to feed the addiction. Getting out of your habits and routines can greatly help you break your addiction to Codeine.

We specialize in helping people enroll into rehab centers across the country. No matter what state you are in, no matter how far you want to travel, we can help you find a treatment facility that can help you. If you stay in your normal area, there is a greater chance that you will keep going back to your old habits of using Codeine. Skip town for a few weeks to focus on yourself.

Nothing changes if nothing changes. Rehab is a way to be able to brace major changes in life. Change your surroundings so that you have a better chance at recovering from your substance abuse problem. Call us now to get more information on how to find detox and rehab treatment in another city or state. You don’t have to limit your recovery resources.