While it may not be the top topic of conversation currently, there remains a serious opioid epidemic in the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “More than 760,000 people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose. Nearly 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved an opioid.” This includes drug overdoses and overdose deaths involving codeine addiction.
Better Understanding Codeine and Codeine Addiction
Codeine is often seen as less harmful because it can be prescribed. This is not the case. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Codeine, by Doctors Peechakara, Tharp, and Gupta, “Codeine is a member of the opioid class of medications and is used to manage pain.” However, “While opioids are valuable agents for treating pain, they also carry a high risk of misuse, abuse, addiction, and increased mortality, as demonstrated by the current opioid epidemic and accompanying overdose deaths.”
Many people start taking codeine because it is prescribed to them. Unfortunately, for some individuals, this can lead to addiction (especially with prescribers who have ulterior financial motives). According to the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), “The use of codeine as an analgesic is well-recognized, but there are increasing concerns that for some individuals continued use may lead to misuse, dependence, and fatalities. Research suggests that those affected may represent a hard-to-reach group who do not engage with formal treatment services.”
Many people also don’t get help because they are embarrassed to admit that they have a problem. This is why being able to spot the signs and symptoms of a loved one’s codeine addiction can be so critical. Getting them help sooner rather than later may mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
The Signs and Symptoms of Codeine Addiction
While codeine addiction will often affect people in different ways, there are also many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs:
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Issues with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough
- Having feelings of anxiety and overwhelming stress
- Feelings of depression, uncontrollable sadness, and loneliness
- Feeling like no one cares
- Physical symptoms like gastrointestinal problems
- Struggling at school or work
- Feelings of self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see these are serious and severe symptoms. The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities for treating codeine addiction.
Means, Methods, and Modalities for Treating Codeine Addiction
There are a few tracks that people often take for codeine addiction. For some, medication management is required to help someone avoid falling into a complete relapse, and relapse is more common than many people may think.
According to the peer-reviewed journal, Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.” However, regardless if one is utilizing medication for recovery, it is also important to use other modalities like psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy has proven to be highly effective at helping people recover from codeine addiction because it helps get to the underlying issues of addiction, rather the alcohol or substance use specifically. As is often said in recovery circles, “It is about the thinking, not the drinking.” One of the most popular and effective types of psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This is especially true for people looking for long-term recovery.
Long-Term Recovery From Codeine Addiction
It is important to remember that recovery is a life-long process. This means that one must stay connected to their recovery plan if they are to have a healthy and well-balanced long-term recovery. Yes, this might mean staying connected to psychotherapy, but it may also mean connecting with a recovery community.
One of the most popular types of recovery communities for helping people with codeine addiction is the 12-Step recovery community. This is a recovery community that believes in the philosophy that by helping others one actually helps oneself more – It is one of the great paradoxes of recovery; “You have to give it away to keep it.”
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our primary purpose is to help all who wish to recover and get well. We do this by offering comprehensive and individualized long-term recovery plans.
For those with codeine addiction, it can feel like there is no way out. We are here because we know different. Recovery is out there, the key is to reach out and grab it.
Codeine remains one of the most abused opioids in the world. This is why it is important to know what a codeine addiction looks like (signs and symptoms), the dangers of long-term use, and how to recover from a codeine addiction. It is also important to have a plan for long-term recovery after addiction treatment. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward recovery right away. You don’t have to do this alone. For more information about effective treatments for codeine addiction, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
