Hi Gerber,
I feel your pain. I can’t compare my situation to yours, but it sounds like you are having a tough time.
I think at this time the thing you need most is support. From a professional service would be best, but if not a friend and if not it can even be me if you like.
It takes courage to admit we have a problem because it means facing the problem head on and realising that the problem is serious and will affect your life.
Its not too late and you can still get yourself out of this situation, you will need to address the underlying problems as well as the habit itself eventually – but one step at a time is better in most cases.
It sounds like you are still in contact with your friends so that’s good and having the support or at least shelter of your parents is also good. We all stumble in life and its nothing to be ashamed of.
It is worth seeing a GP as they may be able to help with drugs that alleviate the symptoms of codiene withdrawal. With paracetamol and ibruprofen in your system constantly, you health will be affected eventually.
Here’s what I would do – try to get some codeine phosphate, but only buy enough to taper of – not a tablet more. Put a tapering dose in separate boxes and take the contents of each box each day. Splitting the dose morning and evening worked better for me than one big dose.
Exercise is really wonderful because it distracts you during it and dampens the withdrawals for some time after it. It also aids sleep.
Long walks are as good as anything else, but if you can jog this is even better.
Make a diary of your progress somewhere – here even – and try to stick with it. If you relapse, so be it, recognise its a process and begin again. Over time this builds the will to be codeine free.
I got help with anxiety from the GP without talking about codeine. I take sertraline and this has helped a lot – especially with sleep.
Make a plan and let us know how you get on. I’ve been round the wheel of codeine addiction many times and so have others here so there is knowledge to help you.
Good luck and best wishes to you.