Codeine Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects
In the UK, codeine is a controlled substance. Stronger doses are available only on prescription, while lower-strength combinations, such as co-codamol, can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies. Selling or supplying codeine without authorisation can lead to imprisonment and unlimited fines. These rules are in place because the line between safe medical use and dependency is thin and once crossed, it can be difficult to find the way back.
What is codeine?
Codeine is an opioid painkiller that belongs to the same family as morphine but is considered milder in strength. It is often prescribed to treat moderate pain or combined with other ingredients in cough syrups and cold medicines. In small doses, it can bring genuine relief, but the calming, numbing effect that follows is also what makes it so addictive.
Once taken, codeine is converted into morphine in the body, where it slows the nervous system and reduces pain signals. At first, it may simply be dull discomfort, but the relaxation that accompanies it can quickly become something people look forward to. That sense of ease, even for a short while, is what keeps many returning to it long after the original reason for using it has passed.
What makes codeine so addictive?
Codeine is a highly addictive opioid because of how it manipulates the brain’s reward system. Like other opioids, it triggers a surge of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that reinforces pleasurable experiences. The brain learns to associate codeine with relief and comfort, eventually prioritising it over natural sources of reward, sometimes even things like food or socialising.
As tolerance builds, the same dose no longer provides the same effect, which can cause you to up your dosage to feel the initial effects. When the body becomes accustomed to codeine’s presence, removing it can cause withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Seizures
These sensations push people back toward codeine, not to feel good but simply to feel normal again. Here, we can see how this creates a cycle that no one wants to be a part of.
Psychologically, codeine can also create an illusion of control, with many users telling themselves that because it was prescribed, it must be safe. Others convince themselves they can stop at any time, only to find that each attempt ends in uncomfortable effects.
The danger of codeine addiction lies not only in what it does to the body but also in how it convinces a person that life feels unbearable without it.
What are the signs of codeine addiction?
Codeine addiction rarely announces itself loudly and prefers to build gradually, hiding behind excuses like “back pain” or “just another bad night’s sleep.” By the time someone realises how reliant they’ve become, the codeine addiction is usually well established.
This is exactly why recognising the signs of codeine addiction is so crucial, because the quicker they’re spotted, the quicker intervention can be used. But as is the case with most addictions, the signs can be difficult to spot.
Below are some of the most common indicators to look out for.
- Constipation or stomach discomfort that lingers for days
- Drowsiness or feeling sedated even after small doses
- Itchy skin, sweating or nausea during withdrawal periods
- Noticeable weight loss or loss of appetite
- Needing larger doses to get the same level of relief
- Irritability or anxiety when codeine isn’t available
- Preoccupation with the next dose or refill date
- Difficulty focusing or remembering conversations
- Emotional flatness or feeling detached from surroundings
- Justifying use even when it’s no longer medically needed
- Visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies for extra supplies
- Taking more tablets than prescribed or finishing prescriptions early
- Hiding medication or lying about how much has been taken
- Withdrawing from friends, family or activities
- Spending excessive money on new sources of codeine
If you’ve recognised some of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, it’s worth taking a closer look at how codeine fits into daily life. Addiction can be easy to overlook when it begins with a legitimate prescription, but it’s that very subtlety that makes reflection so important.
Am I addicted to codeine?
Because codeine is medically prescribed, it’s easy to believe that using it can’t be a problem. But many addictions begin exactly this way, not through misuse but through misconceptions and underestimating the drug entirely.
If you’re unsure where you stand in your relationship with codeine, the questions below can help bring clarity. They’re not a diagnostic tool, but can highlight whether your relationship with codeine has become unhealthy.
- Do you take codeine more frequently or in higher amounts than your prescription allows?
- Have you tried to cut down but found withdrawal symptoms too uncomfortable?
- Do you feel anxious, restless or low when you go without it?
- Has codeine use started to interfere with your work, studies or relationships?
- Do you spend time planning how to obtain more or worrying about running out?
- Do you continue to take codeine even when you know it’s causing problems?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these, it could be a sign that your body and mind have become dependent. Recognising this is a turning point, as it’s where awareness can begin to replace denial and action can take the place of avoidance.
The DAST-10 questionnaire is designed to identify potential drug dependencies.
Where can I get help for codeine addiction?
If you’ve reached the stage where codeine feels like something you need rather than choose, help is available. At Recovery Lighthouse, we understand that opioid dependence can leave you feeling trapped, caught between the fear of withdrawal and the desire to stop. But with the right support, recovery is absolutely possible with codeine addiction treatment.
When you reach out to us, we’ll start by understanding your circumstances and create a plan that fits your needs. The process usually begins with detox, where your body can gradually adjust under care designed to minimise discomfort. Once withdrawal is managed, therapy becomes the foundation of your treatment.
Optional secondary treatment care and aftercare then provides continued guidance once you’ve left treatment, making sure progress carries forward into everyday life.
Every recovery journey begins with one decision: to ask for help. If you’re ready to make that decision, contact us at Recovery Lighthouse today. We’ll listen and help you take the first step toward rehab treatment, and lasting freedom from codeine addiction.
Codeine addiction does not need to control your life. Reach out for us today to find out how you can take your life back from Codeine.