Codeine Symptoms, Withdrawal and Signs of Addiction
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Codeine Opioid Crisis In The U.S
The abuse of codeine and Broncleer has increasingly spanned the globe in severity. Codeine is one of the most abused prescription drugs with soaring addiction rates. The opioid crisis is not limited to the United States.
What is Codeine?
Codeine is a derivative of morphine prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain as well as a cough suppressant. Physicians may also prescribe this drug as an anti-diarrheal treatment. Although we do not readily recognize codeine as a “whole,” we are familiar with the brand names of prescription drugs that have codeine, such as Broncleer.
Note that codeine is prescribed to give you relief of symptoms (pain or cough.) It does not treat the symptoms. Codeine is taken orally in liquid or tablet form. It can also be injected.
Brand Names of Drugs Containing Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Vicodin
- Oxycontin
- Tuxarin ER – codeine, chlorpheniramine
- Tuzistra XR – codeine, chlorpheniramine
- Generic – codeine, phenylephrine
- Generic – codeine, promethazine
- Triacin C – codeine, pseudoephedrine, triprolidine
- Hycofenix – hydrocodone, pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin
- Rezira – hydrocodone, pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin
- Tussionex Penni Kinetic – hydrocodone, chlorpheniramine
- Vituz – hydrocodone, chlorpheniramine
- Generic – hydrocodone, homatropine
- Zutripro – hydrocodone, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine
- Broncleer
The Abuse of Codeine
Anytime you use a drug containing codeine for reasons other than what it is designed for, you are abusing it. Codeine is intended to treat pain, coughs, and other symptoms deemed necessary by physicians.
You will only be able to obtain codeine legally through a prescription. Those of us who abuse drugs containing codeine do so to experience the euphoria or “high.” People from all walks of life become addicted to drugs such as painkillers that were initially prescribed for things such as post-operative pain, acute pain, or chronic pain.
The longer they take it, the higher the risk of addiction. The same goes for cough suppressants containing codeine. It is alarming that our children are being subjected to potential addiction with prescribed cough syrups containing codeine!
Statistics
2018
- There were approximately 9.95 million people who abused opioids.
- Opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. were an estimated 14,792 people.
- Pharmacies across the U.S. filled 168 million prescriptions containing opioids
The Widespread Abuse of Cough Syrup
Over-the-counter cough syrups before the 1970s did contain codeine. While today’s over-the-counter cough syrups may not have codeine, they do contain Dextromethorphan. The abuse of codeine cough syrups has led young people to abuse over-the-counter cough syrups in large doses because of the hallucinogenic side effects. Repeated use causes an addiction, serious side effects, and overdose.
Zimbabwe, a nation in Southern Africa, had an exponential spike in the abuse of a cough syrup called Broncleer. In fact, they banned it hoping to reduce the number of overdoses, deaths, and those suffering from an addiction to it.
Broncleer is made by a pharmaceutical company in Africa. It contains both alcohol and 16.9% codeine. People in Zimbabwe consumed thousands of bottles of Broncleer to feel drunk and high simultaneously. 57% of those admitted to Zimbabwe mental institutions were because of Broncleer abuse. 80% of those patients were 16-40-year-olds (mostly males.)
Syndol Addiction
Syndol is a headache drug available in the United Kingdom as an over-the-counter drug. It does not require a prescription making it available to the general population. The U.K. understands the risks of codeine and the addiction that surround this drug.
However, it is still sold without a prescription. Those of us who travel to the U.K. for a vacation or business trip may seek out Syndol to use for headaches or other pain, but we may find ourselves suffering severe side effects, one being addiction. Going through withdrawal in a foreign country is not pleasant!
Side Effects of Codeine
Codeine effects can range from minor to serious.
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Drowsiness
- Restlessness
- Vertigo
- Tremors
- Respiratory depression
- Low blood pressure
- Weakness
- Pancreatitis
- Low libido
- Impaired function/thinking
- Sedation
Long-Term Side Effects
- Liver damage
- Kidney failure
- Heart damage
- Heart attack
- Overdose
- Addiction
- Overdose
- Death
- Withdrawal symptoms: headache, mood swings, nausea, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, overall aches and pain, feeling chilled
Overdose Symptoms:
- Unresponsive
- Blue fingernails and lips
- Shallow, labored breathing
- Not breathing
- Cold/clammy skin
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Coma
- Muscle twitching
- Constricted pupils
- Abdominal spasms
- Death
Mental Illness and Codeine
We are more likely to abuse drugs if we have mental disorders. Likewise, codeine abuse and addiction intensify those mental disorders. Depression is impacted by prolonged use of codeine. A new diagnosis of depression has been significantly associated with the use of Oxycodone.
If we do not have depression at the onset of using drugs containing codeine, we are 30% higher at risk of getting depression.
Treatment for a Codeine Addiction
You need to know that you have the power within you to get help. The drug has no claim over your willpower, you do. Yes, treatment is a process that takes time and a lot of work. But the road you are heading down right now has a dead end that you definitely do not want to reach.
Try to imagine what life would be like if your body was free of drugs. Food tastes better; colors are more vivid and brighter, life, in general, is better. We want that for you, but you have to take that first step and make the call. When you call us, your call will be answered by a real live human being, not an answering machine or voicemail. Our phones are manned 24/7.
You may be hesitant to seek treatment for a codeine addiction because we tend to feel no one understands what we are going through. Many of us quietly struggle under the weight of addiction. It is tough admitting that you even have a problem. Once you do recognize that problem is staring you in the face, it is time to get treatment!
You are not alone because there are many others like you out there going through the same thing. Getting treatment is not what it once was. The days of “institutionalized” facilities are gone. When you enter a treatment center now, it is like walking into someone’s home where everyone welcomes you as part of the family.
Resurgence is the place where you become part of the family! The minute you walk through the door, you will experience a peaceful, loving, and healing atmosphere. You will not be alone. In fact, you will make new friends and have a team of specialized people that are your “wingmen” through the whole process of treatment and healing.
Inpatient residents are given the option of standard accommodations that most choose and come to enjoy. For those of you who prefer executive or luxury accommodations, we have options that you are more accustomed to.
We have celebrities, VIPs, CEOs, homemakers, and many others from all walks of life who enter our doors to undergo treatment. Faith-based healing is also an option for residents who want to focus on not only the body and mind but the spirit.
During your treatment, you will detox to cleanse your body of codeine. It is important to keep you as comfortable as possible during detox. Medical detox is something most of our residents choose to ease the process. Regardless of how you choose to detox, you will have someone with you to monitor your progress. After detox, you will move on to partial hospitalization to ease back into your everyday life.
Our approach to treatment is through evidence-based therapies that include cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Therapy also includes learning skills and strategies that will equip you to handle triggers, situations, temptations, and any associated issues related to codeine or Broncleer addiction.
Graduating to outpatient status is something residents anticipate with joy. As an outpatient, you will attend therapy during scheduled visits. We completely understand that circumstances such as your job, caring for children, or school may get in the way of your therapy. Our intensive outpatient therapy is designed for such a situation.
Payment and Insurance
Every aspect of your experience here at Resurgence should be positive. We strive to provide you with stress-free payment and insurance verification options. We will contact your insurance for you to verify coverage.
A minute used to worry about contacting insurance can be a minute invested in getting better! We accept most PPO insurances. If you do not see your insurance in our listing below, give us a call. Payment options include private pay and payment plans.
Online payments are accepted through our secure online payment service.
- Assurant Health
- Vista Insurance Partners
- Humana
- Ameritas Group
- Health Net
- Cigna
- Horizon Blue Cross
- Premera Blue Cross
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
We are very confident you will find Resurgence California a place of healing within a warm and welcoming environment. If you need anything to make your stay here more comfortable or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let us know. Take that first step.
We are waiting for your call.
Addiction Treatment that
Just Works
Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey.