Codeine is a drug that is used in over-the-counter painkillers to treat mild to moderate pain and coughing. Unfortunately some people abuse this drug for its calming effect and become addicted to it (read here for a South African woman’s story about her codeine addiction).
Although it’s not as addictive as other opiates such as morphine, pethidine and heroin, it can be habit-forming and endanger your life.
Codeine’s link to heroin
People are often surprised to learn that codeine is closely linked to heroin, which is basically a painkiller, says Bev Lodge, an addictions counsellor from Life Matters treatment centre in Cape Town. “Both test positive for opiates. Heroin has the reputation of being the most terrible drug, but with codeine there is a slow creep that's just as bad,” she explains. “You get a numbness on the drug and gradually increase the quantity until you are in serious trouble. The worst part is the withdrawal, which is very painful.”
Codeine addiction is easily concealed
Unlike an alcohol addiction, which has obvious signs, people are able to conceal a codeine addiction. “Many users set themselves up in isolated or work-from-home situations in order to accommodate their lifestyle,” says Lodge. “There is a great deal of shame associated with the addiction, and this is what keeps people from asking for help. However, there comes a point when whatever they are doing becomes so unmanageable that they have to take action.”
As Lodge points out the nature of addiction is that it is a chronic relapsing illness and, just like addiction to harder drugs like cocaine or heroin, weaning yourself off codeine requires professional help like that found in rehabilitation clinics. “It is an awful detox and must be done in an in-patient facility under medical supervision,” she cautions. “But while relapse is characteristic of the condition, it doesn't have to happen if the person sticks to the rehabilitation programme and rejects the narrative that says it's okay to use the substance of choice to soothe an upset or reward oneself for an achievement. This is the denial system that keeps the addiction alive. But once you've been through a rehabilitation programme you have the tools to manage, one day at a time.”
Get help
If you need help with addiction, call Narcotics Anonymous on 083 900 6962 or visit na.org.za