Codeine Withdrawal and Treatment

This article is also classified as:

Tylenol 3® Withdrawal and Treatment
Tylenol 2® Withdrawal and Treatment
Tylenol 4® Withdrawal and Treatment
Fiorinal® Withdrawal and Treatment
Fioricet® Withdrawal and Treatment
Phenergan® Withdrawal and Treatment

Cough Syrups with Codeine Withdrawal and Treatment Include:

Tylenol with Codeine Elixir®
Decohistine® Syrups
KG-Fed® Syrups
Nucofed® Syrups
Phenergan® syrups
Robafen AC® Syrup
Robitussin®-DAC syrups 
Ryna-C and CX® syrups  
Triacin-C® Cough Syrup 
Tussar® SF Syrup
Tussi-Organidin® NR syrups

It is very common for people to become addicted to codeine products. In fact, codeine is the most frequently used painkiller in the world. Doctors prescribe it for pain from kidney stones, dental surgery, slipped discs, athletic injuries, migraines, and so forth. Most often, these prescriptions are combinations of codeine and acetaminophen (Tylenol®).  Other common pain relievers are combinations of codeine, aspirin, caffeine, and barbiturates. Codeine is also an extremely common ingredient in prescription cough syrups. 

Teenagers abuse codeine cough syrups in the same way they use alcohol – to relax, to become intoxicated, and to feel at ease in social situations. However, some teens are serious “sizzrup” abusers and can drink up to five bottles of codeine-laden cough syrups a day. If this describes your teenager, call 866.323.5613 to discuss treatment options. As a parent, you have the right to sign your child into a treatment center, such as a therapeutic boarding school or wilderness program, often with incredible results.

Adults are more likely to become addicted to codeine products after they have been using them legitimately for pain relief. However, once a person becomes chemically dependent on codeine, he or she takes the risk of legal problems, because this drug is regulated by the government. Simple possession of codeine can result in a five-year prison term and fines of $250,000. Most codeine abusers get caught up in an uncomfortable and stressful lifestyle of “doctor shopping,” interacting with sketchy drug dealers or buying their drugs illegally over the Internet.

Another problem with abusing codeine products is that you will probably be taking too much aspirin or acetaminophen. At non-medically recommended levels, these drugs cause permanent damage to vital organs such as the stomach, liver, and kidneys. You also run the risk of overdosing, especially if you mix codeine products with alcohol and other drugs.

If you are chemically dependent on codeine, you will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit using it. For this reason, the best way to become drug-free is to enter an addiction treatment center. 

Withdrawal symptoms begin eight hours after your last dose of codeine and peak after 48 hours pass. Depending on how much codeine you have been using and how long you have been taking it, you may have symptoms of anxiety, weakness, sneezing, chills, fever, headache, clammy skin, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and tremor. It can take up to two weeks to feel completely well.

Once you withdraw from codeine, you will need further help to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. Codeine can mask depression and anxiety – mental disorders that can be successfully treated with counseling and/or medication. You can choose to remain in residential treatment, where you undergo intensive counseling and classes. Some people choose outpatient treatment, during which they can live at home and attend counseling and classes at a local clinic. 

For help in finding the best treatment options available in your geographical area that best suit your budget and schedule, please call 866.323.5613. A counselor is waiting to discuss your recovery plan with you right now.