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Help what do I do, Cocodamol addiction.

Posted , 9 users are following.

andrew84796
andrew84796

Hi All,

I have recently realised that I am well and trully addicted to cocodamol, I have taken the drug for just over 4 years initially for bad shoulder pain, sometimes taking upwards of 30 tablets a day to get the same effect, different doses of 30/500 or 15/500 or 8/500. I have even thought of going different places to get my fix. I am so scared, I know I need to stop, I am scared of the unknown, what will happen, even with reducing the dose I get the dreaded restless legs when in bed although I have been told Tramadol can help with this? and then find it hard to even get to sleep. I have an appointment to see the GP next Tuesday, I am wondering how I should proceed until then, I tried tapering but knowing that the drugs are here I can't taper, leaving me the only other option of going cold turkey. I am really worried about the withdrawal symptoms, I just don't know what to do.

Please help!!

Andy   

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Zoe1502
    Zoe1502 andrew84796

    Posted

    Unfortunately with any addiction theres no escaping the withdrawls entirely although hopefully your doctor will be able to help with making them a little less severe. Myself I have a methadone addiction and have gone from using codine, weed and then sleeping tablets just to get through the withdrawals but at the end of the day I have an addictive personality and end up getting hooked on something else. Im now nearly clean from methadone and am not touching anything else but it hasnt been easy it just comes down to pure determination and the will power to do it. Hope you manage to overcome this demon
    • andrew84796
      andrew84796 Zoe1502

      Posted

      I hope I can too, I hate knowing how addicted I am, i have so much fear, and it's hard trying to work out how I will get through the day. I have an addictive personality too, I have given up Alcohol, fizzy drinks etc (i know thats not a big one but still an addiction), I need to kick the codiene, I just don't know how to start. 
  • katz31
    katz31 andrew84796

    Posted

    Firstly can you see your DR any earlier?

    You are taking a dangerous amount of

    Paracetamol or do you CWE?

    If your serious about coming off them can

    You tell a trusted friend or family member? As they could take your medication and

    Give you the allotted amount each day.

    If you want to go cold turkey the worst of.the withdrawals should be over in 5-7 days but

    Your sleeping pattern will take longer to

    Get back to normal and the restless legs

    You can ease with warm baths and putting

    A hot water bottle under your calves. I have

    Heard hylands restless legs is good also,

    You can get them in any health stores!

    Please do NOT take tramadol that is a lot

    Worse to get off if you become addicted to!

    • andrew84796
      andrew84796 katz31

      Posted

      Hi, I tried to get an appointment today, they unfortunately did not have any available. I have created a taper plan dropping 1 tablet each week, i know it will be a long path, and I will need to keep my mind focussed away from the drug use. I really don't think going cold turkey is a good idea, too risky in my opinion too. I think I may have to do some cycling or exercise to get my mind off the drugs etc. The tapering plan will take 14 weeks, but I am sure there is light at the end of the tunnel, and at least if i do not feel comfortable making the drop I can wait another week. (sounds like I am making excuses). I will beat this!
  • SMGP
    SMGP andrew84796

    Posted

    Hi Andrew, perhaps you could take some info along with you to your doctor from an organisation that trains GPs about 'addiction to medicines' - they published a special on the subject last year, including a personal account of coming off painkillers  http://www.smmgp.org.uk/html/newsletters/net037.php

    It can be done with support from a sympathetic doctor. Good luck. 

    • andrew84796
      andrew84796 SMGP

      Posted

      Hi, Thank you for this, I will print a copy of it and take it with me, I know it will be difficult, and this is a process I must follow. I'll keep you informed
  • pmcg21
    pmcg21 andrew84796

    Posted

    Hi andrew , i have been addicted to both codiene and Tramadol, DO NOT TAKE TRAMADOL - quitting it is much harder than codiene, i have done both cold turkey - tapering down always sounds like the easier option- fourteen weeks is a long time to stay on track- you will have alot of occasions when you will be tempted to up the dose again- talk to your GP - he can give you something to relieve the WD's if you get off them quicker- look at it this way you could be through the worst in about 5 days- do it once and your done for good- 5 bad days or weeks of trying to stick to a taper schedule- hopefully you will get good advice and support from your GP- the only problem is that alot of gp's know very little about addiction and WD's- you may need to find an addiction specialist- it is important that you get medical advice because of the amount you are taking- best of luck which ever way you decide to tackle it-
    • andrew84796
      andrew84796 pmcg21

      Posted

      Hi, I am going to try to get to the GP tomorrow if I can get an appointment, I am scared of WDs more than anything else
    • pmcg21
      pmcg21 andrew84796

      Posted

      the WD's from codeine are not that severe, headache, sweating, restless legs, upset stomach, general fatigue - you can combat most of these- drink loads of water- hot bath with epsom salts in it will help the restless legs- imodium for your stomach- like alot of things in life the fear is often far worse than the reality- i have been de-toxed many times from alcohol and drugs- both medically de-toxed, with the aid of drugs and cold turkey- not being able to sleep and the restless legs are the worst part, i found, but you will survive it- you could sugest to your DR that he give you a short course of librium, normally for 5 days, to help you with the WD's - you will be fine, you can beat this c..p - stay strong-
  • maxwell1986
    maxwell1986 andrew84796

    Posted

    Your seriously doing your body severe damage taking that much paracetamol! U need to urgently go to your doctors and get put on codeine phosphate first!

    Basically it's the codeine your addicted to so it's pure codeine you need as a first start !

    Then the second step is maybe go the same route I have and be moved on to subutex which is a opiatethat is used for opiate dependence maintenance!

    It's a easier smoother way to start reductions

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