Codeine Abuse, Addiction, And Treatment Programs

Codeine is a prescription narcotic that can be used to treat mild to moderate pain and cough. It belongs to a class of drugs known as opioids, or opiates.

It comes in the form of a tablet, capsule, or liquid solution. It is the active ingredient in some cough suppressants, including over-the-counter cough syrups.

Like many other prescription drugs, codeine can be habit-forming. This can cause those who take codeine to develop an increased drug tolerance and dependence. Prescription painkillers like codeine can also be addictive, especially when misused.

The following are ways codeine can be misused:

• taking codeine without a prescription (even if you have pain or cough)
• taking higher doses than prescribed
• taking codeine more often or for longer than prescribed
• crushing and snorting codeine
• drinking codeine cough syrup (e.g. sizzurp, purple drank) in ways other than directed
• mixing codeine with other drugs (including alcohol) to boost drug side effects

Prescription opioids like codeine can have life-threatening side effects when taken in very high doses, or when mixed with other drugs. This can cause drug overdose. Codeine overdose is a high risk in people who misuse codeine or have become addicted to it.

At Spring Hill Recovery Center, we understand how hard it can be to admit you have a drug abuse problem and seek help. We also know that breaking free from opioid addiction is possible.

Here you’ll find information about codeine addiction, treatment options for codeine addiction, and an overview of our New England rehab center in Ashby, Massachusetts.

Codeine Abuse And Addiction

Codeine, a natural opiate, is a prescription painkiller that works in the body by binding to the body’s opioid receptors. It is chemically similar to drugs like morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone (OxyContin).

Taking codeine can cause certain changes in the brain, including an increased amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. When taken, codeine can cause a rush of pleasure and relaxation in addition to pain relief.

Short-term side effects of codeine use include:

• drowsiness
• calmness
• dry mouth
• constipation
• mood swings

Drug abuse is defined as taking a drug in any way other than prescribed. Codeine abuse can have effects on mood, physical movement, and behavior.

It may cause a person to act in ways they normally wouldn’t. It can also have dangerous effects internally, causing changes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and liver damage.

Chronic codeine abuse can lead to addiction. Codeine addiction can cause you to feel unable or unwilling to stop taking the drug. Your body may be physically dependent on codeine, and you may begin to rely on it to manage pain, stress, and withdrawal.

Dangers Of Codeine Abuse And Addiction

One of the greatest dangers of codeine abuse is overdose. A drug overdose occurs when someone has taken too much of one or more drugs, causing an adverse reaction in the body. In severe cases, codeine overdose can be deadly without immediate medical attention.

Signs of codeine overdose include:

• cold, clammy skin
• low body temperature
• slow heart rate
• slowed or stopped breathing
• low blood pressure
• loss of consciousness
• coma

Drug overdose took the lives of over 67,000 Americans in 2018. From 1999 to 2017, drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids rose from 3,442 to 17,029 in the United States.

The primary treatment for codeine overdose is the opioid antagonist naloxone (Narcan) which can be injected or sprayed.

In addition to overdose, codeine abuse can also have severe effects on mental and physical health.

Chronic or severe codeine addiction may cause depression, moodiness, breathing problems, and organ damage. It can also impair a person’s ability to work, study, and socialize normally with people they love.

Treatment For Codeine Abuse And Addiction

Addiction is not something that most people can break free from on their own. Opioid addiction is a struggle that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and income level.

Overcoming an addiction to codeine will likely require treatment. For people with severe or chronic addiction, inpatient treatment may be recommended. This is the highest level of care for people who need around-the-clock medical and behavioral support.

Treatment for codeine addiction can take place in a variety of settings that may include:

• Detox Centers
• Inpatient/Residential Rehab Centers
• Outpatient Treatment Settings

At Spring Hill, we offer residential rehab and intensive outpatient treatment programs for codeine addiction from our comfortable treatment facility. We offer access to detox services for addicted individuals and partner with nearby sober living homes.

Opioid Detox Programs

Codeine withdrawal is a condition that can set in when people addicted to codeine try to quit. This can cause uncomfortable physical symptoms—such as stomach cramps and diarrhea—as well as restlessness, mood swings, and depression.

Drug detox programs are short-term treatment programs that can help stabilize individuals during the withdrawal process.

Trying to stop your drug use on your own is not recommended. This can risk some serious side effects during withdrawal. Attempting detox at home also carries a higher risk for relapse.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab programs are highly recommended for people who have chronic or severe addiction. This is the most intensive level of care for people struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

Within an inpatient (or residential) rehab program, individuals can work with a team of counselors and doctors to address the root causes of their substance use disorder, and learn supportive strategies to help them stay sober.

At Spring Hill, we offer an array of treatments to help patients heal from the physical, mental, and emotional effects of living with addiction.

Within Spring Hill’s residential rehab program for opioid addiction, you’ll find:

• Around-the-clock care
• Customized programming
• Evidence-based treatment
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Chronic pain management services
• Clinical and psychiatric support
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Behavioral therapy
• Holistic therapies
• Relapse Prevention Planning
• Aftercare Support

Residential treatment at Spring Hill is customized to meet each person’s needs. Addiction doesn’t look the same for everyone, and neither does recovery.

Our compassionate, informed treatment approach recognizes the importance of a treatment program that can be personalized to meet your physical and mental health needs.

Outpatient Treatment

Spring Hill offers an intensive outpatient program for people who have recently completed inpatient treatment or can otherwise benefit from a lower level of care.

Outpatient treatment does not involve residing at a treatment center. Instead, individuals attend treatment at our rehab center for a few hours a day, two to four days a week.

During this time, residents may:

• attend individual counseling sessions
• receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• attend group therapy
• meet with our onsite psychiatrist as needed

Aftercare For Opioid Addiction

After your fourth week in treatment at Spring Hill, we give our patients access to our alumni recovery support network. This connects current and former patients for ongoing peer support through alumni support groups and events.

We can also help coordinate aftercare through community-based support. Many people recovering from addiction can benefit from attending community support groups—such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA)— and outpatient counseling for some time.

Begin Your Addiction Recovery Journey At Spring Hill

If you’re looking for opioid addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one in New England, look no further than Spring Hill. Spring Hill is an accredited addiction rehab center located in Ashby, Massachusetts.

Our New England rehab center serves all of Massachusetts and the following surrounding states:

• Connecticut
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

If you’re traveling to our treatment facility from out of state, our staff can assist in verifying your insurance and arranging travel, as needed.

During this time of COVID-19, our facility has remained open to help people with addiction begin their recovery journey.

It’s never too early or too late to seek help for addiction. For more information about our codeine addiction treatment programs at Spring Hill, call us today.