Codeine is a prescription opiate drug that provides pain relief in patients. It is a legal yet controlled medicine in the United States, often used by people experiencing pain after an injury or surgery, and is intended for short-term use only. Unfortunately, codeine is an addictive substance (like all opioids), and it has contributed to the opioid crisis in the United States.
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Are you worried about a codeine addiction? Codeine abuse can have serious implications on your personal life, mental well-being, and physical health, which is why treating it sooner rather than later is crucial. That’s where our substance abuse treatment comes in.
About Our Codeine Addiction Treatment Center
Here at Recovery in the Pines, we provide a comprehensive treatment program that helps individuals overcome addictions and live a life of sobriety. Here’s how we operate.
A Focus on Faith
We operate as a Christian opioid addiction treatment center, incorporating the teachings of Christ into our program. You’ll attend Bible study and follow a twelve-step path that replicates the disciples, which gives you a chance to reflect on your past and understand the purpose of your future. Plus, you’ll be in a supportive environment with like-minded individuals who want to live in the image of God.
Personalized Treatment Plans
No two people who suffer from substance abuse are the same. Our team understands this deeply, which is why every client’s treatment plan is tailored specifically to their needs. During the admissions process, our team will take all the necessary information, such as your medical history and current health status, to create a program that is tailored to your needs, allowing for better and safer outcomes.
A Focus on Physical Wellbeing
At Recovery in the Pines, we recognize the connection between physical well-being and emotional and mental health. That’s why we offer treatment plans that incorporate exercise regimes and nutrition meal planning. We even have fitness instructors who will push you to reach your true potential.
Compassionate and Qualified Staff
Going through any kind of withdrawal is not easy, especially after an opioid addiction. When you choose our care, you choose to be in the safe hands of genuinely compassionate and qualified staff members. From our therapists to our doctors to our physical trainers, you will be in the care of a team that truly cares about you and your recovery journey. Additionally, they are highly qualified, having already assisted numerous other clients on their path to sobriety.
A Robust Schedule
When you are recovering from a codeine addiction, the last thing you want is for distractions or temptations to lead you back to the drug. Instead, you want to focus on healing your body, mind, and spirit, which is what our robust schedule allows for. During your time at our center, you will receive a comprehensive schedule that keeps you busy and engaged in learning.
A Beautiful Location in Arizona
We are proud to have a center for opioid addiction that showcases the best of what Arizona has to offer. Surrounding the center are breathtaking mountains, lakes, streams, and meadows, all of which provide a sense of genuine peace. It's the type of place where you can sit, relax, and imagine a new life for yourself.
A Supportive Environment
Our addiction center is a place of true compassion. We have created a genuinely supportive and caring environment – one where everyone lifts each other up. Everyone is rooting for one another, and you will never feel alone when in our care.
Understanding Codeine Addiction
First of all, let’s understand what codeine is. Codeine is an opioid very similar to morphine, although not quite as strong. It’s used to treat moderate pain in patients, such as when they are recovering from surgery or when other painkillers (such as paracetamol) do not work well enough. Several branded medications contain codeine alongside other substances, including Ambenyl, Bromanyl, Pherazine, and Bromotuss.
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Codeine works directly on the central nervous system, interrupting pain signals by attaching to opioid receptors and providing relief. At the same time, people often experience a reduction in anxiety.
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Unfortunately, this drug is habit-forming due to these positive effects. It stimulates the reward system in the brain, so people feel an urge to continue taking the drug. Simply taking codeine does not always lead to an addiction, but continuously taking more codeine over time can cause a physical dependence on the drug. At this stage, it is a substance use disorder, or opioid use disorder.
Who is at a Higher Risk of Developing a Codeine Addiction?
A codeine addiction can affect anyone, but some risk factors increase an individual’s likelihood of experiencing this addiction.
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A Family History of Addiction: Those who have a family history of addiction are more likely to develop a problem with codeine abuse (or any other type of substance use disorder).
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Those with Pain: Codeine is a drug that relieves pain. That means individuals who experience higher levels of pain are more likely to use this drug for pain relief.
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Mental Health Disorders: Codeine provides feelings of relaxation. People with mental health issues are more likely to self-medicate with the drug for this reason.
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Exposure to Codeine: Anyone who has more exposure to codeine is more likely to develop an addiction.
Of course, falling under risk factor categories does not automatically mean you will become addicted to codeine. It is simply something to think about and observe, as it’s better to notice an addiction sooner rather than later.
Codeine Short-Term Side Effects
While the dangers of codeine usually occur after forming a codeine dependence, there are still some unpleasant side effects that can occur in the short term. These include:
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Stomach Pains
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Vomiting
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Dizziness
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Weakness
The Dangers of Codeine Addiction
There are plenty of long-term health risks associated with codeine use, including:
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Insomnia
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Increased Pain
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Seizures
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Digestive Problems
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Kidney Damage
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Liver Damage
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Depression
Of course, taking codeine over a long period of time also increases a person’s likelihood of a codeine overdose.
The Signs of a Codeine Overdose
The biggest danger of short and long-term codeine use is the risk of overdose, which occurs when a person takes too much of the substance at one time. It is essential to know the signs of overdose as it is a medical emergency – if it happens, you need to contact emergency services as soon as possible, as it could save a life. Here are the signs to watch out for:
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Breathing Difficulties
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Shallow Breathing
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Unresponsiveness
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Clammy Skin
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Pupil Changes
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A Slow Heartbeat
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Drowsiness
This can lead to respiratory depression, which can be fatal, which is why seeking medical attention is so important.
Do You Have a Codeine Addiction?
You might be concerned about having a codeine addiction. It is not always easy to know when you have an addiction, especially if you use a substance to relieve pain. However, there are some signs of codeine dependence to watch out for:
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You Have a Strong Desire to Use Codeine: If you have strong desires and urges to use codeine, particularly if that desire causes you to take more than a prescribed dose, then that is a sign of addiction.
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You have a Tolerance for the Drug: People often build a tolerance for codeine after taking it over a long period of time.
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Persistent Use Despite Knowing the Consequences: People with codeine addictions will still use the drug despite knowing the consequences.
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The Presence of Withdrawal Symptoms: Many people who are addicted to codeine often experience painful withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug.
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You Are Doctor Shopping: If you are trying to get a prescription from multiple doctors (perhaps because other doctors have refused), that is a clear indicator of a codeine abuse problem.
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Prioritizing Codeine Use: Those with addictions often place more importance on the drug than they do other areas of their life, whether that’s their career, social life, or family.
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Wanting to Quit but Being Unable to: If you have a genuine desire to quit taking codeine but find yourself unable to, that’s a strong sign of addiction, and finding a treatment program is the next best step.
Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the reasons a medical detox is necessary is due to the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that occur when a person stops using codeine. Here are some of the most common codeine withdrawal symptoms:
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Excessive Sweating
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Chills and Fever-like Symptoms
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Increased Anxiety
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Muscle Pain
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Nausea
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Diarrhea
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Vomiting
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Fatigue
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Intense Cravings
There are several stages to the withdrawal process. It starts with the onset of the codeine withdrawal symptoms, which occurs between six and twelve hours after the last dose. The symptoms are at their worst between 24 and 72 hours, after which they gradually subside. They usually subside completely after around day 10.
The Steps to Recovery with Opioid Addiction Treatment
If you have an opioid addiction, you will want to know what happens with medication-assisted treatment. We are here to demystify the process.
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Getting in Touch
The first step to receiving drug addiction treatment is getting in touch. You can do so by phoning, emailing, or filling out an online contact form.
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The Admissions Process
The next step involves talking to our admissions team. At this stage, our medical professionals will take into account all the necessary information to devise a treatment plan, including crucial points such as whether you require assistance for a co-occurring disorder.
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A Medical Detox
Next, you will go through a codeine detox. When going through a codeine detox with us, we provide medication-assisted treatment that lessens the symptoms to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
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Recovery
To prevent you from abusing codeine in the future, you will undergo a comprehensive recovery program that includes twelve steps. It will put you in touch with your body, mind, spirit, and your connection to God. You will do this at our beautiful center in Arizona, where you will connect with nature and the people around you.
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Leaving Our Care
After going through comprehensive therapy and treatments at our center, you will be ready to leave, taking all the lessons you have learned with you. We will stay in touch via email and phone. Additionally, we can connect you with outpatient treatment programs.
Seek Addiction Treatment Today
Are you ready to take back control of your life? Do not let codeine be the one calling the shots. If you have experienced opioid abuse and want to get clean, get in touch with our amazing team today. With our help, you can overcome your opioid addiction and live a life on the path of God. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you on that journey.
