Codeine is a highly addictive drug that is made with opioids, a synthetic version of the street drug heroin. The number of people addicted to codeine that has been prescribed to them for chronic pain conditions has reached epidemic levels in America and mainly, this is because many people are unaware of the dangers of opioid-based medications. The fact is that a person can move from using codeine according to physician’s instructions to becoming dependent on progressively higher doses without even realizing.
What Are The Symptoms of Codeine Abuse?
The symptoms an individual displays when they are abusing codeine often vary from person to person, depending on how long they have been using the drug. Among the most common symptoms of codeine abuse are the following:
– Mood symptoms include depression, anxiety, emotional numbness, euphoria, sensations of calmness, and extreme mood swings
– Behavioral symptoms include withdrawing and becoming isolated from loved ones, faking prescriptions to obtain more codeine, “doctor shopping”, frequent visits to ER with complaints of pain, stealing from loved ones and friends, indifference, apathy and financial difficulties
– Physical symptoms include blue-tinged lips and fingernail beds, dizzy spells, fainting, dry mouth, intense itching, constipation, and rashes
– Psychological symptoms include psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety
Withdrawal Symptoms from Codeine
When someone has been taking codeine for some time, even when following the instructions of their physician, it is very easy for the body to develop tolerance. What this means is that the brain gets used to receiving pain relief from codeine at regular intervals and so its effects are progressively weakened over time. Individuals soon find themselves needing to take more of the drug to get the same effects they originally benefited from. Once tolerance has developed, the body starts to crave the drug when the individual isn’t using and withdrawal symptoms begin to emerge which places overwhelming pressure on the person to use again. Withdrawal symptoms include the following:
– Irritability and anxiety
– Insomnia
– Watery eyes
– Runny nose
– Sweats
– Shakes
– Muscle aches
– Rapid heartbeat
– Nausea and vomiting
– Stomach cramps and diarrhea
Get Help for Codeine Addiction in Southern California at Casa Recovery
Casa Recovery offers codeine addiction treatment that provides you with a personalized path to recovery. We embrace the latest therapies and treatments that give the best chances of long-term sobriety from our beautiful facility in San Juan Capistrano, CA. If you are concerned about a loved one’s drug use or feel that you may be losing control yourself, contact us today. The sooner you take the first step towards treatment, the sooner you can heal from the devastating effects of substance abuse.