Even Low Doses are Addictive
Posted , 2 users are following.
I’ve been taking Ibuprofen + Codeine (12.8mg) for about six years on a consistent basis. I take the drug in low doses - customarily two in the morning after breakfast and sometimes two after dinner. At most, when I’m suffering from a periodic sore back, I’ll take six a day, but that’s it.
What’s interesting is that even at these low doses, all within the manufacturer’s recommendation, I suffer if I go more than about 24 hours without the drugs. My problem is not so much excessive doses, but long-term and consistent usage.
With Australia moving to a regime of prescription-only codeine availability from February 1, I’ve decided to go cold turkey. I’ve tried this several times before and rarely get past about 4-5 days due to the headaches, flu-like symptoms and exhaustion. The psychological addiction is just as hard to shake. I’m so used to the calming effect I feel after the morning hit, which kicks in as I arrive at the office in the morning.
So this time, I really need to shake it. I know a dose of 30-90 mgs of codeine a day sounds fairly mild, but this is an insidious drug. Ironically, I’m told that the real problem with long-term use is not so much the codeine but the paracetamol or ibuprofen it’s mixed with. Your kidneys and stomach take a pounding.
I’ll let you know how I go, but in the meantime I’d be interested in hearing others’ stories about how to handle withdrawal. I currently cope with hot showers, strong cups of coffee and plain paracetamol.
0 likes, 3 replies
Sezzum jim06010
Posted
Firstly, you are certainly not alone in this. The change making codeine schedule 4 will be terrifying a lot of people right now!
If it helps, final detox only seemed to last a few weeks for me. It felt like forever, especially the sleep interruption and exhaustion, but it does pass i promise.
I tried to quit dozens of times and never lasted beyond 4-5 days (that seems to be breaking point for most of us). Once i got clear of week 2 things really started to look better and after 4-5 weeks i actually felt human again.
I spent a lot of time crying, and feeling ill and feeling so tired. But it was worth it to come out the other side without my addiction anymore.
Just drink plenty of water and eat as much healthy food as you can bare.
Good luck, you can do this!
jim06010 Sezzum
Posted
I’ve found that physical symptoms (headaches, backache) are best dealt with through a combined paracetamol-ibuprofen pill (one or two a day). Strong coffee helps, as does vigorous exercise (even if you don’t feel like it beforehand).
When I’m really tempted to fall off the wagon, I think about what it would be like to start this all over again and the hassle of having to grovel at medical clinics for a prescription. Who needs that monkey on their back?
Sezzum jim06010
Posted
You are doing so well! And you're so right, the biggest deterrent for most of us is never wanting to feel this awful again!
i totally agree with what you're saying about using it as an emotional crutch. All the stuff you're numbing doesn't have a place to hide anymore, excercise does seem to be a good outlet (:
keep going! X