Codeine addiction (Nurofen Plus)

Hi David. I saw your note to Nikki. The last time I heard from her, she had done brilliantly. Try and read her posts. I am in the same position as you and I am trying to get the courage to tackle this. I did try tapering but my intake just started to go up again. I am seriously now considering full cold turkey. I am travelling round to various pharmacies, spending lots of money and suffering terrible stomach problems. Try and read as many of the helpful posts here. We have developed quite a wonderful little community. There is lots of good advice available. You can do this! I have learned that you need a strategy... you need to be clear how you will tackle it, how you will get space to do it, diet, rest and what to do if you start to struggle. Because I had not prepared properly in the past, I failed every attempt but I am more knowledgable now and I know what to expect so I am planning a proper programme. My GP wasn't particularly helpful but I think it is good to tell them. Try not to tackle everything at once. Your immediate problem is the NP. Deal with that if you can and the other issues may fall into place. Love Drew x

Hi Drew, thanks for the reply. I want to try cold turkey but it scares the hell out of me because I will have to work long shifts whilst going through it. I went to the doctor yesterday and I got put on anti depressants and he gave me 28 15mg codeine tablets so they don't have the ibuprofen in it to which was kind of helpful and not at the same time as that is a single dose really so they are gone already I think I really need to sit down with my partner and tell her everything which in its self also scares the hell out of me but I think it's the only way forward to get all the support I need. I have spoken to my local pharmacist who understands and sells me 3 packs of generic ibuprofen and codeine under the understanding that I get help but I do end up going round many pharmacies too. It is so expensive! How long have you been hooked on these vile tablets?

Hi David, You can do this, you will beat this alwful addiction. Like Drew mentioned you need to find a time that suits you, you have to want to do this. You need a plan.

I am tapering off co-codamol(i could never really afford N+) although when i could they were a nice treat. I have been using codeine in some shape or form for the past 2 1/2 years. I used to work in a pharmacy. Initally it started out the odd 8mg tab for a pick me up on a late shift to then 30mg tabs and then when i lost that job i was taking 32 8mg tabs a day. I drastically cut back to 18-20 8mg tabs a day and stayed that way for about 1 yr. I am now in to week 5 of tapering down and am now taking just 5 8mg tabs. Its not been easy but i have written down a week to week plan and i have only visited a pharmacy when i have needed to do that way i have had no extra tabs and have not been tempeted.

Its not been horrendous like some of the stories i hear on here from people going cold turkey which was why i used the tapering option. i wanted to still be able to function as normal as possible and carry on with my every day tasks but i am determined to do this.I have had the odd aches and pains and restless legs but it has been manageable. My plan is to be codeine free by xmas and so far i am on plan. 

My advice is same as Drews. Make yourself a plan and try and stick to it. Make your life as easy as possible and as stress free for the next few weeks or months or how ever ;long you feel you will need. Try and find your triggers, why do you use codeine? Mine was a confidence booster but in the end it done the opposite.

You can do this how ever you choose to beat this alwful addiction. Once you start you will feel alot more confident in your ability to become codeine free.

Have a read through the posts or post your own comments we would all love to hear how you get on and there are always people on here to offer such kind words and advice, it has really helped me, its like group therapy for free

Hi David. Is that 3 packs per day from your friendly pharmacist? I have had this vile addiction for 3 years now. I started taking NP for genuine reasons to combat my shoulder pain. Within weeks I was hooked. I tried to go cold turkey but I didn't plan it properly. By day 3/4 I couldn't function and I still had to work and behave normally. I couldn't do it so I went back on the tablets. I know I need plenty of space to do this. I know if I don't plan it properly I will fail. Good luck in telling your partner. Honesty with yourself and others is vital. Best wishes... Drew x

Hi, sorry I haven't been on for a few days I have been working. That's 3 packs every few days. I have been on and off mainly on for 6 years now and it's really starting to take its toll, I have told my partner she took it so much better than I anticipated which is such a relief I can now move on to tackling the matter properly. My only problem now is that my local alcohol and drug centre has just moved premises so there is an 8 week back log! I am preparing for cold turkey with drastic drops in tablet numbers I just have to plan it out but fingers crossed I can get over this once and for all! With the help and support from my partner it should make it a lot easier it just doesn't help that she thinks I can just stop taking them and be done with it, it is work in progress and I will keep coming here as well. It has calmed me a lot reading through other people's struggles knowing I'm not alone.

Hi David, sorry to hear you are feeling depressed, I've been suffering with depression myself which was one of the reasons I became addicted to NP - it made me feel calmer and happier for a few hours - so I saw no problem with taking it each day for what I imagined would be a short term basis but before I knew it I was addicted and now I feel it probably exacerbates the depression. Have you spoken to your doctor about anti depressants and CBT to help with the depression (both of these things I've found incredibly helpful) and a codeine phosphate reduction plan to help come off codeine?The problem with the reduction plan is it only helps with the physical symptoms of addiction and not the psychological ones, which are often far greater! 

Hi all, just thought I'd share my story.

I'm currently clean of codeine for 8 days after what has been a 13-14 year addiction to Nurofen Plus. I was taking between 20-30 tablets a day and had tried to stop many times before cold turkey with no luck. I have a wife and kids and have suffered in silence with addiction for my entire relationship. I know every chemist within a 20km radius of work and home and which ask for id and those that don't. I take them out of the packet and put the tablets into containers so they don't make sound when I take them... always counting my tablets to make sure I have enough for the morning.. looking back I was trapped in the addiction. Last Sunday something clicked inside when my son asked if I was sick and if that was the reason I "always" take medicine... it broke my heart as I never realised the kids (4&5yo) had noticed. I took two Monday morning and told myself I was done... I haven't looked back since. It's been tough but so worth it. I had severe headaches and muscle aches in my back and legs.. I was agitated.. depressed.. but I knew I was withdrawing. I came into work but left early each day saying I had a virus.. (I looked pale and sick) I booked in a movie at the cinema every afternoon on my own so I had some time to myself alone doing something I enjoyed. I also booked in a couple of massages in my first week. I took Panadol in the first week (sometimes 20 a day for the aches) but now I am clean of everything. I had the "runs" really shockingly and found myself in the toilet ever hour in pain. I told myself (sometimes out loud) that I was in control of my body and my body didn't need codeine. I continuously found myself out of habit walking up to where I kept my tablets for a fix.. even now it pops in my head.."I need Nurofen".. but after 8 days.. (or 14 years!) I have no tightness or pain in my body.. my headaches are gone (even tho I thought I suffered from headaches which is what kicked all this off). I still gets the "runs" now but in comparison it's mild.. I still feel really fragile and am worried if something upsets me I'll reach for the tablets.. but with each day I feel stronger mentally. I love this feeling of waking up with a clear head.. no hangover from all the tablets and toxins.. I just wake up feeling OK. I try to meditate on the bus even for 5 mins.. and remind myself throughout the day that I am strong. Cold turkey was hard.. really hard.. but after 4 days you'll feel better... you just need to remind yourself of why you feel this way... and hopefully it's all worth it for you. Try to do things while withdrawing that you will look forward to (you might need to write off the first day) like movies.. walks.. reading etc.. I found for me going to a cinema took my mind off the withdrawal for a couple hours and I came out relaxed. I will admit it's hard to stay relaxed and stress free around young kids.. but I'm staying strong. I have done all this alone.. my wife has no idea... I've had to lie and say I had a virus. She knew I took tablets but had no idea the extent of it. I still have bank notes in my wallet which is rare for me.. I was spending so much on tablets.

I wish you guys that are taking the step to getting clean all the best.. it is not easy.. you'll need to find your reason to go through and fight the withdrawal. 25 years ago my father beat alcoholism going cold turkey.. in the back of my mind I used this as strength to know I could do it.. and my DNA had done it before.

I am still avoiding any alcohol (which is hard this time of year) or things I know that will stress me out immensely.. I'm doing my best to take deep breathes and be chilled.. when I get agitated and want those tablets.. I remind myself of my reasons to stay clean. It's amazing how much my life has changed in 8 days.. I am a better person to be around.

I wish you the best of luck x

The other thing I will add for those interested is that I'm currently taking a multi vitamin and 2 x 1000mg of magnesium tablets in the morning and another 2 in the evening.. I found this helps with muscle aches and pains. I'm also drinking quite a few cups of herbal tea throughout the day and limiting myself to 1 x coffee in the morning just to avoid getting too agitated.

All the best

Wow Anton. Thank you so much for sharing this. Some great tips and your story will no doubt inspire me and others. I just get fearful that I enjoy my NP hit as I feel calm and relaxed and can take on the world. I worry that I will miss it. I won't miss all that horrible physical stuff though. Thanks again. Drew xx

I know what you mean ... and admittedly for as long as I can remember I have started my day the same way.. a banana.. and 3-4 N+ with a coffee. I do miss that warm tingly feeling, but I admit I don't miss everything that came with it... for me I spent so much time driving around chemists... feeling anxious about the pharmacist knowing I was an addict.. feeling anxious about running out of tablets... always having to carry them around... always having to have some for the morning.. my entire day was spent thinking about these damn tablets. 9 days later and I find myself slowly becoming human again.. being myself and finding joy in things.. laughing.. etc.. the first 3-4 days I had no emotion besides depression and couldn't even really talk to my own family. I am still sweating a lot.. that's one thing I've noticed off the tablets.. I am not sure why yet but I have noticed my body feels hotter and I'm sweating at night and during the day.. but the colour in my face has returned and I no longer look so sick.

For me I had tried to taper in the past but mentally it never worked for me.. and I found it easy to cave-in and instead of one tablet.. I'd get frustrated and just take 3-4 and I was back to square one. I hadn't planned to quit.. it just happened - when you're ready I'm sure you'll find the will to do it also.

Xx

Thanks Anton. I currently really look forward to the buzz but, like you, the price for it is so difficult. I drive every day to pharmacists, spreading out my purchases so as not to arose suspicion. Also, my stomach often hurts a lot. Other times I feel drowsy. I am glad you think that your life now without the buzz is better. I worry that I will just feel low.. I did try and switch to Codeine Phosphorate instead of NP. I couldn't understand why just codeine wouldn't give me the buzz so I switched back to NP. Why NP gives the buzz when it is meant to be the codeine that gives you the buzz, I don't know. Thanks again for your posting. It really is inspirational and I hope you stay on that path xxx Drew

OMG that is a lot of tablets but so refreshing to hear you are free at last! Can I ask how come you almost died stopping and how going cold turkey was? I haven't taken any today yet and usually get some as soon as I leave the house in the morning so was going to try and just stop today and hope withdrawal isn't too bad. Thank you for posting x

I was like you every morning i got my pills n every afternoon i swore id stop tomorrow.Dont let it steal anymore of you.

Amanda,

you just wrote my future! 64N+ was my demon, a subutex program, initially 6mg per day, now on 3.2mg and falling.

I'd love to shazaam a nurofen plus tablet to see exactly what else it contains.

Best wishes!

Rich