March 19, 2024

Codeine Rehab

5 Signs Your Loved One Needs Codeine Addiction Treatment

1. Codeine Overdose

If someone you know has overdosed on codeine as a result of abuse, they need treatment. Codeine overdose is one of the most dangerous outcomes of codeine addiction, and someone who has experienced it definitely needs help.

According to the NIDA, “Opiates can depress breathing by changing neurochemical activity in the brain stem, where automatic body functions are controlled.” This is very dangerous and can result in the person dying from codeine overdose. Knowing that someone you love has overdosed on codeine is a wakeup call for the need for treatment. Next time, they might not be as lucky.

2. Withdrawal

Someone who is abusing codeine and goes through withdrawal as a result should attend codeine addiction treatment. Withdrawal is not necessarily a sign of addiction, but it can show that a person’s abuse of codeine has gotten out of hand.

The NLM states that “about 9% of the population is believed to misuse opiates over the course of their lifetime.” Someone who does so will experience withdrawal symptoms after abusing codeine for a long period of time. This is a sign of the person’s need for formal treatment, as they are now dependent on the drug.

codeine addiction treatment

Social issues might be a sign that someone you know needs Codeine addiction treatment.

3. Social Issues

For someone who experiences two or more extreme social issues that are somehow caused by their codeine abuse over the course of one year, treatment is necessary. Some of the possible social issues a codeine addict may face are:

  • Legal problems, getting arrested, being caught driving under the influence of codeine
  • Relationship issues, breaking up with a significant other, becoming estranged from your family because of codeine
  • Work or school issues, getting reprimanded, getting fired, grades slipping
  • Financial problems, going into debt, spending money meant for other things on codeine

If your loved one experiences two or more of these issues related to codeine abuse within a single year, help them seek treatment.

4. High Tolerance

A person abusing codeine who develops a very high tolerance to the drug should consider treatment. Tolerance is not always a sign of addiction, but someone who has been abusing the drug who experiences tolerance is at a high risk for overdose. The codeine abuser will continue to take more of the drug each time to feel its effects which can be very dangerous and should be treated before worse consequences occur.

5. Inability to Quit on Own

If your loved one has tried to quit abusing codeine and is unable to do so on their own, treatment is the best possible option. Addiction is characterized by the inability of the person to stop taking a substance voluntarily. At this point in their addiction, your loved one will likely exhibit these symptoms:

  • Unwillingness to talk about codeine and their use of it
  • Hiding the drug around the house
  • Paranoia or hostility when the problem is brought up
  • Surrounding themselves with others who also abuse codeine or other substances

Someone who acts this way is in need of formal treatment. They may feel as if they can quit or just stop any time, but when it become evident to you and them that they cannot, codeine addiction treatment will be necessary.