What Happens After Codeine Detox Treatment?

So you’ve gone through codeine detox treatment and are out of a hospital or detox center. You may be wondering what happens next. Many users think of codeine as a light opiate and do not realize the danger of using it recreationally.

Codeine as a Drug of Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, codeine addiction and abuse is considered an emerging trend. This is most likely because codeine is still an opioid and like other high risk opioids, it is still addictive but people do not view it as that. Detox is only the first step of an overall treatment program.

Many drug treatment centers offer detox services to make the transition between detox and treatment easier. To find one of these treatment centers call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) .

Treatment for Codeine Addiction

Treatment for codeine addiction is much like the treatment for many other opiates. It begins with and evaluation and assessment of the addiction. Immediately after detox you will be assessed for chronic pain or a co-occurring mental illness. After this assessment the treatment begins.

Counseling

Counseling is a necessary part of codeine addiction treatment.

Counseling is a integral part of addiction treatment. While you were in detox, you might have had supportive counseling but after detox is when the real counseling work begins. Most treatment centers offer:

• individual counseling
• group counseling
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• 12 step therapy

Counseling will help you learn to live without using the codeine as a crutch. It will also help you with coping mechanisms for stress and other life factors that lead you to addiction.

Medication

According to the National Library of Medicine, codeine addiction may cause withdrawal symptoms so you should not stop taking it suddenly. During treatment you might be given medications to stop the withdrawal or to treat your chronic pain. These medications are usually only used for very severe codeine addictions. Some medications a treatment center uses for opiate or opioid addiction are:

• methadone but only in very severe cases of addiction where chronic pain is present
• Suboxone
• Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone

Each of these medications can keep you from feeling the withdrawal symptoms of codeine addiction.

Supportive Medication

Most treatment centers use supportive medication rather than medication directly for withdrawal in the case of codeine addiction. Since codeine is a mild opiate used for moderate pain, the medications that treat both chronic pain and opiate addiction are too harsh. Some of the supportive medications are:

• analgesics such as aspirin
• anti-diarrheals
• vitamins and minerals
• antiemetic medications for vomiting and nausea
• other over the counter or nonaddictive drugs to stop the symptoms of withdrawal

If you are diagnosed with a mood or psychiatric disorder, doctors will also prescribe medication to help with the disorder. Depression and anxiety are extremely common in opiate withdrawal.

Finding Codeine Addiction Treatment

You can find a treatment center that offers both codeine detox and codeine addiction treatment by calling 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) . We can help you find treatment after your codeine detoxification.

What to Expect in Codeine Detox