call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) for a free referral.
Many people do not understand exactly how dangerous codeine is. It is commonly given to patients after dental surgery, tonsillectomies, and as a cough suppressant. Even more concerning is the fact that codeine is often prescribed to children. Too many people do not know that codeine is highly addictive, has a dangerous detox period and contains many dangers to kids and teens that only treatment can help.
Why is Codeine so Addictive?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, codeine is converted into morphine by a specific enzyme in the liver, a process that is more rapid in children and people with certain genetic traits that make this enzyme more active.
This makes it very easy to understand how so many people become addicted to codeine, as it is well known that morphine is a very addictive substance. Once addiction has set in, an occurrence that can happen very quickly, treatment is necessary to recover and avoid any more dangers.
Dangerous Detox
Codeine detox is very dangerous for some individuals. There is no medication for codeine detox like there is for other drugs, making a treatment center that understands the risks of codeine addiction very important. The symptoms of codeine detox depend highly on what kind of codeine you are taking. Some of them are:
Detoxing from codeine can cause feelings of anxiety and depression.
- aggression and irritability
- anxiety
- cravings
- depression
- diarrhea and abdominal cramps
- intense pain and muscle spasms
- severe vomiting
Although individually these symptoms do not seem severe, when you combine them they become considerably more dangerous. People who become severely ill, or even die, from codeine detox often do so because of untreated complications like dehydration. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, opiates such as codeine require a medically assisted withdrawal. This is why it is important to seek out a treatment center for codeine addiction detox. To find one in your area call 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) , we can help.
Particular Dangers to Kids and Teens
Codeine itself is an addictive drug. However, the fact that few people know this means that usage of it is often not well controlled, nor its use well supervised by parents. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, teens, and even children, are drinking codeine cough medicine recreationally and becoming addicted to it.
This is the same addiction that they would have if they were taking opioid pills rather than drinking simple prescription cough syrup. Codeine addiction is essentially an opiate addiction, dangerous addiction that requires treatment.
Codeine use can also cause pathways to change in a child’s brain, making them more prone to addiction later in life. Doctor’s do not always consider this when prescribing it to children.
Dangerous Side Effects of Codeine Addiction
Addiction itself is not the only risk of codeine abuse. There are also a number of dangerous side effects that can result from taking high doses of codeine, something which happens frequently in recreational use. Some of these side effects include:
- low heart rate
- poor circulation and low blood pressure
- slowed or stopped breathing
- brain damage
These side effects show just how deadly a codeine addiction can be. If you are addicted to codeine then you need treatment. There are many addiction treatment centers in your area. You can find one that can help you with your codeine addiction by calling 800-291-1732 (Who Answers?) .
Is Codeine Cough Syrup Addictive? -
Codeine cough syrups are prepared with codeine (an opioid cough suppressant) and other ingredients such as guaifenesin (an expectorant) or promethazine (an antihistamine) w/codeine in generic brands. An alarming trend, although not new, is the casual and recreational abuse of codeine cough syrups mixed with alcohol or sodas known as “sippin on syrup”. People who ... 
Codeine-Promethazine Addiction Risks & Signs to Watch For -
Abusing cough syrup that contains both promethazine and codeine could increase one's risk of developing an addiction. 
4 Dangerous Truths About Cough Syrup Addiction -
Codeine cough syrup can cause addiction in the same ways other opioid drugs can. While many people who drink cough syrup recreationally see it as an effective way to get high that does no real damage, the abuse of this substance is incredibly dangerous and can lead to even more issues, especially once the individual ... 
Getting Treatment for Pain After Codeine Addiction -
Opiates, such as morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone are commonly prescribed to people who suffer from chronic pain or a lingering pain following injury or surgical procedure. These drugs are prescribed without even thinking twice in most cases but what about those who are in recovery from codeine addiction – how is pain properly treated in those ... 
15 Codeine Addiction Symptoms You Can’t Ignore -
Many codeine users question whether they actually have a codeine addiction or “just need a little time to get themselves together.” If your codeine use has affected you to the point that you are asking this question of yourself, chances are, you have a codeine addiction. Be honest with yourself, people who don’t have codeine ...