Are Codeine Pills Addictive?

Codeine is typically prescribed to patients that need relief from mild to moderate coughing and pain. When taken as directed, it may not be harmful to the user. But if it’s abused, people who take codeine pills can develop an addiction. It’s possible to get help for a codeine addiction, no matter how long someone has been struggling.

Why Are Codeine Pills Dangerous?

Codeine is a type of opiate. Even though codeine is less potent than other opiate drugs like Oxycontin, it can still be dangerous for people when abused.

Often, people who take codeine pills don’t know how habit-forming the medication can be. They feel safe taking more than the recommended dose. That can cause them to become dependent on the drug. They might even develop a codeine addiction.

The Effects Of Abusing Codeine

People who abuse codeine will show signs. Those signs range from mild to life-threatening, depending on how much the person takes.

Some immediate side effects will show up first. Some common results are drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, itching, constipation, and low blood pressure. In some cases, people can even have a seizure.

If someone continues abusing codeine, more codeine effects will appear. Some of these signs will appear right after codeine is used. Others might show up a little later. Many of these symptoms include slurred speech, impaired judgment, lack of coordination, short attention span, drowsiness, and dilated pupils.

People who abuse codeine can also develop a dependence. That means they will experience withdrawal symptoms when they go without the drug for a while.

Mild withdrawal symptoms can emerge a few hours after taking the last dose. These symptoms include yawning, sweating, irritability, anxiety, sleeping problems, increased heart rate, and muscle aches. After a day or so, severe signs will start up. These symptoms include cravings, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills, enlarged pupils, and loss of appetite.

The physical withdrawal symptoms of codeine usually fade after a few weeks. Other withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and cravings, can persist for months.

Getting Help For Codeine Abuse And Addiction

If you’re struggling with codeine pills abuse or addiction, you can get sober. You shouldn’t try to get sober on your own though. If you attempt to get sober on your own, you have a higher chance of relapsing, which can put your life at risk.

Beaches Recovery can help you start and stay on your path to lasting sobriety. At our facility, we offer many treatments for drug abuse that can help you recover, such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Drug detox
• EDMR therapy
• Mindfulness based treatment
• Residential drug rehab
• PTSD and  trauma therapy

You don’t have to struggle with an addiction to codeine pills. Beaches Recovery will guide you on the path to sobriety. Call us today at 866.605.0532.