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Codeine medications are safe to use as directed with a low to moderate risk of dependence. In most cases, they are prescribed to treat short term conditions and should not be used for longer periods or in abusive ways.
Codeine Uses
While codeine has had a number of historical uses, it is most commonly used today to manage pain and cough when over the counter remedies would be inadequate. By relative dosage comparisons, codeine is less potent than morphine and has been an acceptable medication in small doses for treating these conditions in children.
Cause of Codeine Dependence
Codeine dependence can be caused by a number of factors or a combination of factors after repeat exposure to the drug. Opioids work by attaching to certain opioid receptors in the brain and central nervous system reducing the stimuli of pain and coughs. As the person becomes adapted to the use of codeine they develop a tolerance and require more medication to activate these receptors. With repeat disruption to the brain’s chemistry, it begins to rely on codeine for normal functioning and without it the person will experience withdrawals.
Codeine also activates the “reward circuit” of the brain and increases the neurotransmitter, dopamine, which produces a sense of pleasure and reinforces behaviors that bear repeating such as eating, exercise, and fun. The more dopamine a drug induces, the greater the chance of a psychological dependence.
Effects of Codeine Dependence
Being dependent on codeine makes it very hard to avoid taking the drug.
Codeine dependence can be recognized when a person suffers withdrawals after they stop using codeine. Withdrawal symptoms may include cravings, runny nose, sweating, chills, stomach pains, muscle cramps, nausea, agitation, anxiety, or in chronic cases, psychosis, and suicidal or harmful ideations.
Effects of codeine dependence may include maladaptive thoughts or behaviors that surround the use of codeine such as a strong desire to take codeine or obsess over next dose, avoidance of people or activities that do not involve the ability to use codeine, or hiding usage amounts. Other disruptive behaviors may damage relationships and cause work, social, or financial problems.
Dangers of Codeine Dependence
Codeine dependence can lead to abuse or the use of other more potent opioid drugs and according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, in 2011, there were 9,927 emergency visits for non-medical use of codeine products. Codeine dependence can also lead to addiction.
Physical dangers may occur in chronic or long term use including; liver damage, kidney damage, seizures, respiratory depression, irregular heart rate, overdose, and death. Acetaminophen toxicity is another physical danger resulting from excessive abuse of codeine products containing acetaminophen.
Some people may combine other drugs or alcohol to increase or enhance the effects of codeine and this can be fatal.
Long term use of codeine can cause heightened pain sensitivity and the user may develop pain in other areas than those included in initial diagnosis.
5 Effects Codeine Addiction Can Have on Your Life -
1. Codeine Overdose Codeine overdose can be deadly. If a person can be treated early enough, the symptoms can be reversed, but this is not always possible. According to the NIDA, “codeine-promethazine cough syrup has been linked to the overdose deaths of some prominent musicians.” Codeine overdose causes extreme respiratory depression. The risk of respiratory failure ... 
Side Effects of Codeine Cough Syrup Addiction -
It has become a popular trend in recent years to abuse codeine cough syrup by mixing it with soda or alcohol. This combination, according to the University of Texas, is sometimes called lean, “for the side effect causing users to lose their coordination.” This drug has many side effect of its use and, unbeknownst to ... 
Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms -
Anyone who’s suffered mild to moderate pain symptoms may very well have been prescribed some form of codeine medication. As a fast-acting pain relief agent, codeine is a proven treatment for any conditions where pain is a factor. Besides its pain relieving effects, codeine can also produce feelings of euphoria, calm and an overall sense ... 
Side Effects of Codeine that Need Medical Attention -
Codeine exists as one of many opiate-based pain relief drugs. Unlike many prescription pain medications, codeine comes directly from the opium poppy seed plant. As one of the less potent opiate drugs, codeine became the first opiate-based medication to be sold as an over-the-counter product. In spite of its widespread availability, codeine carries the same ... 
Health Risks of Codeine Abuse -
Contrary to popular belief codeine can be dangerous if it is abused. Codeine abuse has been on the rise in the United States and is widely used by teenagers and young people because it is so easily accessible. Codeine is prescribed for pain but it may also be prescribed to treat diarrhea and coughs that ...