When you hear of the medication Codeine, the first thought that may come to your mind is over-the-counter cold medications such as Tylenol 3. Codeine belongs to a class of medications called opiate or narcotic analgesics, and is used to relieve mild to severe pain and suppress coughing. In addition to reducing pain, codeine also causes sedation drowsiness and depresses breathing.
Signs of Codeine Dependence or Overdose
While Codeine helps to temporarily relieve symptoms, it does not treat the cause of the symptoms. Tolerance can result after consistent use of medication because a person wants to feel its therapeutic effects. The most common symptoms associated with a Codeine dependency include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of muscle tone
- Cold and clammy skin
- Slow heartbeat
- Shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
Reasons for Dependency and Overdose
Recreational use of codeine occurs often mainly because it is very easy to obtain. Many people use Codeine recreationally because they want to experience the euphoric effects associated with opiates such as heroin and morphine. However, the overuse of Codeine can lead to dependence, especially if you are unaware of the long-term consequences of opiate addiction and withdrawal. A Codeine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
Complications and Misuse of Codeine
If Codeine is taken recreationally, there are many dangerous side effects that can occur. Dulled responses, lack of coordination, respiratory depression, hepatoxicity, kidney problems/failure, and internal bleeding can all occur if codeine is regularly misused. Dependence can occur within two to three weeks of use which can lead to physiological and psychological addiction.
Help and Treatment
Because addiction is both physiological and psychological, people who are suffering from a Codeine addiction should seek immediate treatment. A clinically proven effective treatment is The Waismann Method, which is used for rapid detoxification under anesthesia and helps to reduce a patient’s dependency on a wide range of opiates, including codeine. The Waismann Method’s rapid detox treatment is a medical procedure performed in a full-service hospital that rapidly rids the body of opiates. The procedure is carried out while under sedation and completed by a board certified physician. This type of treatment has been a longstanding preferred remedy because it surpasses the painful withdrawal symptoms that may occur while a patient is off the drug. It also reverses a patient’s physical dependency to the opiate without fear or suffering and most patients return to a healthy life in a matter of days. In addition, a patient may also choose to enter into a detox or rehabilitation center to help break free from their Codeine addiction. In the long run, no matter which program a patient may seek to overcome their dependency can help them to live a healthy, drug-free life once again.
Pub Med Health – This site gives information on codeine and its effects on the body.
Addiction Search – Gives information on codeine side effects and addiction
Waismann Method – Gives information on The Waismann Method for detox of opiates.