Codeine Addiction Treatment Options

Codeine is an opioid narcotic often found in pain medications and cough syrups and is one of the most widely used opioid analgesics in the world. Conversion of codeine to morphine occurs through the liver metabolism. In most individuals, this averages about 10 % potency of morphine with similar effects. Codeine can induce euphoria, sedation, and drowsiness in addition to its pain relieving properties” The more a person abuses codeine or codeine based drugs, the more likely they will become dependent or addicted to the drug.

Codeine Addiction

Support groups are helpful in codeine rehab.

Physical dependency to codeine is common among any person who abuses codeine or uses it for a more than a couple of days and codeine dependency causes withdrawals when the person suddenly stops using the medication. Increased exposure to codeine products increases the potential for addiction just like other opioid drug use. Many people who abuse codeine are poly drug users and abuse other opioids or psychoactive drugs as well. When compulsive behaviors to use codeine, despite negative consequences, occurs the person needs to seek help through a codeine addiction treatment program.

Codeine Addiction Treatment Options

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse “Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives.” There are a diverse number of codeine addiction treatment options that include various treatment types and approaches. The main idea is to help the person detox, and maintain a drug free lifestyle

Most options start with detoxification and many have medically managed withdrawal, which allows for a physician or other clinician to prescribed medications throughout the process for alleviating symptoms of nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and in some instances the drug cravings. Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone are often used as a major component in medically assisted withdrawals and maintenance programs.

A formal evaluation will determine the unique needs of the addict regarding social, family, and behavioral issues, as well as any physiological issues that may impact their recovery. Counseling and therapy options may include group, individual, or family treatment according to the needs of the addict and the resources available by the facility. There are optional treatments available through inpatient, outpatient, long term, or short term programs that can be prescribed based on the addicts history of relapse and level of addiction. The settings of some facilities may be more luxurious than others and some programs may be religious based or based on the 12-Step model.