Facts About Treatment for Codeine Addiction
Codeine is an addictive opiate painkiller prescribed for mild to moderate pain. Since it is an opiate it is highly addictive, just like many other opiate and opioid drugs. It is extremely easy to become dependent on codeine and addiction or dependence usually requires professional treatment. Before you say no to treatment for codeine addiction, there are some facts you should know about.
There are Many Reasons People Find Themselves in Need of Codeine Addiction Treatment
If you are addicted to codeine you will need some form of codeine addiction treatment. People develop codeine addictions in different ways. You can become addicted for several reasons. Some of these reasons are:
- They understate the pain they are in and wind up taking more than the prescribed amount
- They do not realize that codeine turns to morphine in the liver and continue to take codeine habitually
- They have a chronic cough that is treated with codeine cough syrup
- They find that codeine gets them high and is not as regulated as other opiates
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should seek treatment for your codeine addiction if:
- Your addiction is making your life difficult.
- Your are engaging in unsafe behavior
- You start to having withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the codeine.
If you started your codeine addiction for any of these reasons, then chances are you are in need of treatment. For a treatment center that can help call 800-994-1867Who Answers?.
You can Overdose on Codeine, a Clear Indication Treatment is Necessary
According to the National Library of Medicine, it is possible to overdose on codeine. This is particularly true of codeine and acetaminophen combinations because you essentially overdose on both drugs. Overdose on a drug is one of the key signs of addiction. Most people who overdose either accidentally or intentionally are in desperate need of treatment.
You do not Have to go Through Codeine Withdrawal
There are medical treatments available for codeine addiction. Like all other opiates, codeine addiction is treatable through medication assisted treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medication assisted treatment is using both medication and therapy in order to treat a substance abuse disorder.
It works particularly well with opiate and opioid therapy because of the variety of medications that treat opiate dependence. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the drugs used in medication assisted treatment are:
- Methadone
- Suboxone
- Buprenorphine
- Naltrexone
- Depot Naltrexone
These medications either mute the symptoms of withdrawal or completely stop them. After the dosage is correct, the doctor will start to slowly wean you off the medication so you do not experience withdrawal at all.
Medication assisted therapy also has a counseling component. A treatment center will use a variety of counseling methods including:
- Individual treatment
- Group therapy
- 12 step treatment
- Cognitive behavioral therapies
The combination of medication and counseling is a very effective way to treat codeine addiction.
You do not Have to go Through Codeine Addiction Treatment Alone
Going through withdrawal alone is a horrible experience. Fortunately, you do not have to do this. During inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, you will build a solid support system that helps you to cope with the problems associated with treatment for codeine addiction. To find a treatment center that can help you call 800-994-1867Who Answers?.