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Day 1,640 and still opiate-free….not that I’m counting LOL. The only reason I mention this number is to show others who are struggling or in pain that it really is possible to beat this thing. If I can do it then you can too. I have been addicted to many things in my life – but codeine was the worst thing…I live each day to the full because each one is a blessing and a bonus. Keep your resolve…..xxx
It’s bunkilla
Stick at it Mark! You will get there he he
Alcoholics Anonymous saved my life. I resisted going to an AA meeting for years due to my preconceived ideas about what it was like. When I finally hit my own rock bottom I allowed my wife to contact AA for me (I could not do it still) and a member met me and took me to my first meeting – a lovely lady. Something happened in that first meeting and I identified with everything that everybody shared. I did not take a drink again – one day at a time. For an alcoholic “one drink is too many and 100 are not enough”. I hope it works for him. For yourself maybe get in touch with Alanon – an organisation for friends and families of alcoholics. You can go to your own meetings – regardless of whether the alcoholic goes to his. “An alcoholic is like a tornado, roaring his way through other’s lives”. Good luck to you both xx
Hi – there is a really long thread about codeine addiction / withdrawal on this forum. There are so many folks like you out there addicted to OTC codeine – and many are getting help here. Good luck!!
Hi – many years ago I went to AA for my alcohol addiction – it worked for me. There is an “organisation” called Alanon specifically for the family and friends of alcoholics. You can attend Alanon meetings for yourself – regardless of whether the alcoholic seeks help or not. It is true though that the alcoholic must want to stop and seek help for themselves. This does not stop you though…good luck!!
It’s very easy to stop taking the codeine! Staying stopped is the hard part LOL. That’s what I was taught in AA anyway. I spent most of my life addicted to one drug or another – most recently codeine and tramadol. I don’t want to get into any sort of competition or comparison but I was consuming a LOT of codeine each day…a LOT. It still astounds me how my liver and kidneys recovered from this onslaught! Recovery from any addiction is hard…and codeine addiction is no different. It’s a flipping opiate for Pete’s sake…and withdrawal / recovery is very similar to heroin withdrawal! Anybody who kicks this addiction is doing bloody well. I have been clean from all drugs for several years now and I think it’s almost like waking from a coma or horrible dream. In my humble opinion (don’t shoot me down) Cold Turkey is a risky way to stop – I tried and failed many times. Eventually after I decided that I no longer wanted this life of dependency I tried the tapering approach. I counted out my remaining tablets and made a tapering plan – reducing by one tab each day until all tablets were gone. The withdrawal was still bad but this approach worked for me and it has been a few years now since I took anything stronger than a paracetamol. Physical symptoms go away fairly quickly…mental takes a bit longer…psychological longer still. Your body / brain / psyche will try every trick in the book to make you start using again – just try and reinforce the reasons you want to stop and you CAN do this. AA helped me quit destructive drinking and forums like this can help you quit this vile addiction. Good luck to you all . it can be done. If I could do it then you can too. Goos luck one and all!!
Stick at it! You will have a totally new and different life. Stopping is easy! Staying stopped is the hard part lol. I was addicted to codeine for 21 years – clean now for almost four. I don’t understand how I survived this addiction – buying from internet and abroad and consuming about thirty 30/500 tabs each day!! My liver and kidney functions were shot to pieces – but by some miracle not permanently damaged. I tried to stop many times and failed. Finally I just knew that I did not want to live this life and die with this shite in my blood. I made the decision to stop and worked out a “reduction plan” based on my remaining supply. Gradually reduced number of tabs each day until I took my last in January 2020. Withdrawal was still horrendous – similar to heroin withdrawal. Shakes..sweats…cramps..loose bowels and the dreaded “restless legs”. Physical recovery is fairly quick. Psychological and emotional recovery takes longer. I never used to dream at night – now I do. Life is good – but I feel like I have woken up from a 20 year coma. Your addiction will try every dirty trick to make you take codeine again – just understand that this is the nature of addiction and be ready!! Good luck in your recovery – it is soooo worth it.