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Addicted to codeine

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my boyfriend has been taking 30mg codeine tablets for the last year due to medical reasons. he has been meaning to come off for a while but unable to do so due to his addiction. yesterday and overdosed and took 50 tablets... hes fine but his mum found out and freaked out, taking away all his tablrts. now she only lets him have the recomended dose of 6 ever day. anyway he just called me saying he needed the hospital and felt like he was going to die, so i was just wondering whether this is the withdrawl talking or he genuinly mght not survive that drastic drop from 50 to 6 tablets and his mum needs to reduce his intake at a slower pace.

​i just want to clarify, a normal day for his is roughly 20 tablets, but when he has loads to do or get stressed then he takes more. he is still in pain from a medical issue so needs them still, but just needs to learn how to control it better.

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7 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 Guest

    Posted

    He won't be able to cope with the drastic reduction. Codeine has to be reduced very slowly and with medical supervision where possible. He will feel as though he's going to die. The way his mum is doing it is cruel and not the correct way.
    • tony15730
      tony15730 Jan999

      Posted

      What is the correct way? There are lots of options amd one of those options is cold turkey which many people choose to do. It is unfair to call his mum cruel when she is trying to help. She most likely does not know the true dose he was taking each day and dis not realise cutting him back so fast would cause problems. She is a parent trying to protect her son from another overdose. How is that cruel?!
    • Jan999
      Jan999 tony15730

      Posted

      She's not cruel but the way she's trying to get him to reduce the codeine is. He needs the support of his GP or Addictive Services which most health trusts now have in place. Reducing codeine to 6 a day is not going to work.
    • oly958
      oly958 tony15730

      Posted

      Cold turkey can be dangerous, caution definitely required. If you are in the UK skip your GP and go straight to drug and alcohol services as GPs don't have the knowledge or ability to prescribe alternatives to help through withdrawal.

      Taking all his meds is well intentioned but not a suitable path.

  • lyndsy26237
    lyndsy26237 Guest

    Posted

    I am currently tapering off these my self and have been for the past 2 weeks almost .. I tried to go cold turkey and it never worked , best to cut him down a few every week so if he took 20 per day , perhaps 15 start at per day then each week go down a little more .. He will only end up going and buying the solpadeiene max strength ones from the chemists , and taking more .. It's hard but he needs all your support right now and cutting him down slowly but surely will work .. I hope your ok .. And your boyfriend is feeling a little better ..

    Perhaps try and discuss why he overdosed so many in the first place ?.. Was it intentional , or was it due to the fact he was in so much pain ?... Or just in general for the high ?..

    Wishing you well X

  • tony15730
    tony15730 Guest

    Posted

    Cold turkey withdrawal from opiates is not dangerous but it can be very very unpleasant. His mother is not being cruel as one poster put it, she just is a mother trying to do the right thing for her son. Take him straight to the doctor and explain his addiction and he'll will be given the correct treatment. He is probably feeling very ill right now and probably has high anxiety and depression now too but it won't kill him. Paracetamol, ibuprofen for the pain and sudafed will help innthe mean time. He could alao go to a and e if you cannot him to see a doctor.

    Do you know what daily dose he was on before the overdose? The doctor will need that information to provide the correct treatment.

  • max83505
    max83505 Guest

    Posted

    His mum must think she's doing good by protecting her son but in reality she's not now remember everyone is different how they come off opiates . Some are just stronger than others It all depends on your boyfriend what he want if he has the desire to reduce ? Safest way is first see your GP And then decide how many to reduce , belive me when I say this is a hard and long journey he will be on and having support is the best thing you can all do . I hope he gets the help he needs and I am here to talk or just tel you about my experience as there are a lot of good people on here who has been through it and has a lot of good advice . But I see you GP first then decide Wats best for your boy friend all the best
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