London, United Kingdom
+44 20 3893 3227

Signs Your Loved One Is Addicted To Codeine and How You Can Help Them

Signs Your Loved One Is Addicted To Codeine and How You Can Help Them 

It’s estimated that 33 million people use codeine every year. [1] A recent study that was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that around 4% of the American population have met the criteria for drug use disorder in the last 12 months. Around 10% will experience or have already experienced a drug use disorder at some point in their lives. [2] 

Codeine addiction is a serious problem and it’s important that you or your loved one gets treatment as quickly as possible. Quicker treatment means a better prognosis and a longer and happier life. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss the following: 

  1. What codeine is and it works 
  1. How and why codeine addiction occurs 
  1. The key signs of codeine addiction 
  1. What you can do to support a loved one who is currently battling a codeine addiction 

What is Codeine and How Does it Work? 

Codeine is a commonly used pain-relieving drug that is commonly found in cough syrups. [3] 

Once inside the body, codeine works via the opioid receptors that are found in the central nervous system (CNS). It gets broken down in the liver to morphine, which activates the brain’s reward centers, causing euphoric and pleasurable feelings and emotions. 

Codeine lowers feelings of pain by disrupting the nerve signal pain between the brain and the body. It can also suppress the areas of the brain and nervous system that are responsible for causing coughing, which is why it is a common component of cough syrups. [4] 

How and Why Does Codeine Addiction Work? 

Codeine provides short-term relief for those suffering from mild to moderate pain. It’s very rarely prescribed for long-term use. 

However, for some people, the pain relief and pleasurable feelings that codeine elicits is addictive. After being prescribed codeine in the short term, many people get used to the hit of pleasure that it provides. 

The human brain is wired to actively seek out pleasure and continue doing rewarding activities. Because codeine activates the reward pleasure centers in the brain, it’s very easy for people to become addicted to using it because of the brain’s natural drive to seek constant pleasure. 

Addiction to pain-relieving medications, such as codeine, is one of the most common forms of drug addiction. Addiction describes an individual’s need to take medicine regularly to cope with everyday life. The regular drug user builds up a tolerance, meaning they need to take more of this medicine over time the experience the same effects. 

Often, using a particular drug becomes more important than other activities in the individual’s life. This can begin to seriously impact the person’s relationships. [5] 

What Are the Key Signs of Codeine Addiction? 

Knowing the key signs of codeine addiction is important to recognize when somebody in your life is struggling. The signs of an addiction to codeine are very similar to those of any form of drug addiction. 

The main signs and symptoms of drug addiction to look out for in your loved ones include: [6] 

  1. Difficulty concentrating at work or school, leading to performance, absenteeism, and social dysfunction 
  2. Lack of motivation 
  3. Poor personal hygiene 
  4. Spending excessive amounts of money on codeine 
  5. Performing risky behaviors while high or intoxicated on codeine 
  6. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to take codeine 
  7. Developing tolerance to codeine and needing more of the drug to feel the same effects 
  8. Being deceptive and lying to loved ones about taking codeine and getting aggressive when confronted about it 
  9. Extreme cravings to take the substance of choice 
  10. Neglecting family and friend relationships because the drug is more important to them 
  11. Hiding the fact that they are using the drug from those around them 

Because the body becomes dependent on codeine after long-term use, it reacts negatively when the drug is withdrawn. In other words, if the individual stops taking codeine or they significantly reduce the dosage that they’re taking, they can get a number of negative side effects, known as withdrawal symptoms. 

Signs of codeine withdrawal include: 
  1. Nausea 
  2. Vomiting 
  3. Abdominal cramps 
  4. Aching muscles 
  5. Enlarged pupils 
  6. Runny nose 
  7. Excessive sweating 
  8. Teary eyes 
  9. Yawning 
  10. Strong cravings to take codeine again 

How Can You Support a Loved One Through Codeine Addiction? 

It’s never easy to support somebody who is suffering from drug addiction but showing your love and care can encourage them to keep going on their journey to sobriety. 

Here are some key ways to support your loved one: 
  1. Take them to a rehabilitation center 
  2. Show your appreciation for their efforts up to this point 
  3. Avoid judging them or shouting at them if they use codeine 
  4. Be with them as much as possible when they’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms 

A lot of the time, any form of opioid addiction requires two phases – medical detox and rehabilitation. 

Your loved one may need to undergo a medically supervised detoxification program that provides 24-hour support and observation as the body cleanses itself of the drug. Certain medications may be offered during this period to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal, such as buprenorphine. 

This may need to be followed up with a stay in a rehabilitation center, where they can undergo an intensive inpatient program. Going through a rehab program can significantly reduce the chances of your loved one taking codeine again in the future to self-medicate. 

If your loved one is suffering from other mental health illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or a mood disorder, they will receive additional support and care at the rehabilitation facility.

[1]  https://www.addictioncenter.com/opiates/codeine/ 

[2] https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/10-percent-us-adults-have-drug-use-disorder-some-point-their-lives 

[3] https://americanaddictioncenters.org/codeine-addiction 

[4] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/amp/article/codeine 

[5] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines-and-addiction 

[6] https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adult-addiction-treatment-programs/signs

 

Available Treatments

Checked for quality and accuracy by:
Athina is a Biochemistry graduate who has a passion for health and medicine. She has been copywriting for over five years and is also the host and producer of Finding Flo podcast, which focuses on women’s health and hormones.