Codeine Addiction: Its Causes and withdrawal Symptoms
Codeine addiction is an insidious problem that can affect people from all walks of life. Codeine is an opiate alkaloid, or chemical compound, found in opium. It was first isolated in 1832, and is currently the most commonly used opiate in the world. It is extremely effective and, when administered correctly, has a high safety margin. Once in the liver, codeine is metabolized into morphine.
Codeine is used primarily for its pain-killing properties. However, it also works as a cough suppressant and anti-diarrheal, and has been shown to help irritable bowel syndrome. In the United States, it is regulated under the Controlled Substance Act and is unavailable without a prescription.
Codeine works by blocking pain at the spinal cord and in the brain. Even at relatively smaller doses, it often produces a sense of euphoria, which helps contribute to its addictive qualities. Tolerance develops in all individuals, so that a larger amount is needed to obtain the same effect.
Physical codeine addiction symptoms
Prolonged codeine use can result in physical and emotional addiction. Some of the physical symptoms of addiction include blurred vision, nausea, constipation, and hallucinations. Some of the emotional symptoms include depression and agitation.
Codeine cocktails are when those addicted to the drug mix it with alcohol and often drugs like xanax are a popular combination. This is an extremely dangerous combination that can lead to seizures, cardiac arrest, and even death.
Codeine withdrawal is best done gradually by tapering off of codeine a little and under medical supervision if possible.
Codeine withdrawal symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches, can often be alleviated with over-the-counter medicines. The worst withdrawal symptoms usually occur within the first 48 hours.
If tapering off of codeine does not work for you then there are plenty of opiate detox centers that would be very glad to have you overcome your codeine addiction there. I would also like to add that you should have no problem at all finding an opiate addiction rehab because they are practly everywhere these days due to the ammout of opiate abuse in the world today.
If you go you can count on being well taken care of by a staff of medical assistants that will be there to meet most of your needs as well as administer medications to help ease the pain of codeine withdrawal. This type of detox normally will take from 3 to 5 days. I would then suggest that you continue on in residential treatment.
