Is Codeine Addictive?

Despite being a relatively weak opioid, codeine is addictive.

Like most opioids—morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl—it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. Meaning it can only be obtained by prescription, whether used to soothe pain or suppress coughing.

Not only does codeine cause feelings of euphoria and relaxation, but it also stimulates the production of opioid receptors. As such, it’s not uncommon for people to take increasingly larger amounts of the drug, especially after building up tolerance to it. This constitutes codeine abuse, which significantly increases the risk of codeine addiction and overdose.

Other ways of abusing codeine include:

• Taking it more frequently than prescribed
• Mixing it with other substances, including alcohol, sedatives, and opioids
• Taking it for non-medical purposes (e.g., combining it with soft drinks for recreational purposes, which is also known as “Purple drank”)
• Crushing codeine tablets and snorting or injecting them
• Taking it without a prescription or using codeine that has been prescribed to someone else

To minimize the risk of codeine addiction, always take your medication as prescribed.

Codeine Abuse Statistics

Here are some recent statistics that can give you a better understanding of the extent of codeine abuse, addiction, and overdose in the United States:

• In 2021, 26.4% (2.3 million) of prescription pain reliever misusers above the age of 12 misused codeine products specifically, making codeine the third most frequently abused prescription painkiller in the United States.
• More than 11,700 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose involving codeine and other natural and semi-synthetic opioids in 2021. 
• In 2020, acetaminophen/codeine was the 187th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with nearly 2.8 million prescriptions issued to more than 1.3 million patients.
• Opioids like codeine are involved in 72% of drug overdose deaths.

Codeine Addiction Signs and Symptoms

As dangerous and devastating as codeine addiction is, it can be successfully treated. The first step to achieving a lasting recovery from codeine addiction is recognizing that you’re addicted to the substance.

With that in mind, let’s discuss the signs and symptoms of codeine addiction.

Codeine Addiction Physical Symptoms

If you or someone you love suffers from intense opioid cravings, insomnia, flu-like symptoms, and other withdrawal symptoms after quitting codeine, take it as a sign of codeine dependency and seek professional help.

Besides opioid withdrawal symptoms, some physical symptoms that may indicate codeine abuse and addiction include:

• Muscle spasms
• Skin rashes and itching
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Fainting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Constricted pupils

Besides physical symptoms, those addicted to codeine may also experience frequent mood swings, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and similar psychological symptoms.

Codeine Addiction Behavioral Symptoms

Recognizing opiate addiction isn’t always easy, as those addicted to such substances often go out of their way to hide their addiction from others. This is one of the most common behavioral symptoms of codeine addiction, but it isn’t the only one.

You may also recognize codeine addiction from the following behavioral signs and symptoms:

• Isolating from friends and family
• Hiding or lying about codeine use
• Feeling unable to control codeine use
• Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Experiencing financial distress due to codeine use
• Using codeine even though it negatively affects your life
• Missing work/school and experiencing a drop in performance
• Taking codeine more frequently or at larger doses than prescribed
• Continuing to take codeine after the health issue has been resolved
• Spending a lot of time on obtaining, using, or recovering from codeine
• Trying to get codeine by doctor shopping, stealing, exaggerating illnesses, etc.

Codeine Addiction Causes And Risk Factors

The underlying cause of codeine addiction is the imbalance in the endorphin-receptor system that results from codeine use.

Codeine inhibits the production of endorphins and promotes the production of opioid receptors. As the number of opioid receptors grows, so does your tolerance to the drug, meaning you’ll eventually need to increase your dosage to feel the drug’s effects. This is a sign of physical dependence on the drug, which can develop into addiction if left untreated.

Since opioid use alters the brain, anyone taking codeine risks becoming addicted to it—especially those who take it for a prolonged period of time. Even though codeine addiction doesn’t discriminate, some people face a higher risk of developing an addiction than others.

The main risk factors for codeine addiction include:

• Being exposed to opioids early on in life
• Being able to access opioids easily
• Being in an environment that encourages substance use and abuse
• Abusing codeine (mixing it with other substances, taking it more often than prescribed, etc.)

Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms

If you stop taking codeine after becoming addicted, you’ll experience psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.

The intensity and duration of codeine withdrawal symptoms depend on many individual factors, including how long you’ve been taking this drug. Most people overcome codeine withdrawal within two weeks after quitting their medication, though in some cases, cravings, sleep problems, and other psychological symptoms persist for much longer than that.

Codeine withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 8–24 hours after the last dose and include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Enlarged pupils
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Body aches
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Mood swings
• Appetite loss
• Rapid heart rate
• Fever
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Codeine cravings

While for some, codeine withdrawal feels similar to the flu, others experience severe withdrawal symptoms that can be potentially life-threatening. This is more likely to happen to those who quit codeine “cold turkey” or have been struggling with codeine abuse and addiction for a long time.

In any case, you should never quit codeine abruptly or without medical supervision, as this increases the risk of relapse. Given that your tolerance to codeine decreases if you stop taking it, relapse is extremely dangerous. It’s not uncommon for it to lead to an opioid overdose, which can be lethal if not reversed promptly.

Risks of Codeine Overdose

Although codeine is less potent than many other opioids, it can still lead to a potentially life-threatening overdose—especially if you abuse the drug or take it after a period of abstinence, i.e., relapse. Sometimes, even an extra dose taken by accident can be enough to cause an overdose. For this reason, you should always carefully track your codeine intake.

Here are some signs of a codeine overdose you should not ignore:

• Discolored lips, nails, and skin
• Slowed, shallow breathing
• Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
• Slurred speech
• Choking and vomiting
• Loss of consciousness

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, call 911 immediately—even if you aren’t 100% sure it’s an overdose. Receiving medical attention is critical to preventing a codeine overdose death.

How to Prevent Codeine Addiction

Since codeine addiction is caused by opioid-induced changes in brain chemistry, the only way to prevent it is to avoid taking opioid medications unless they’re absolutely necessary. Although opioids like codeine may seem like a magic cure for those suffering from pain, your doctor may be able to suggest safer pain management options.

However, some patients have no other choice but to take opioids. If this is you, here’s what you can do to take codeine safely and minimize the risk of codeine addiction:

• Always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking your medication.
• Store codeine safely, away from children and pets.
• Never increase your dosage without your doctor’s approval.
• Do not mix codeine with any other substances before consulting with your doctor.
• Stay in touch with your doctor and inform them about any side effects you’re experiencing.

ANR Treatment for Codeine Addiction

Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a safe, fast, and highly effective codeine addiction treatment. Most importantly, it is the only treatment for opioid dependence that addresses the root cause of the issue, eliminating the risk of relapse.

Unlike traditional treatments, ANR doesn’t simply treat the symptoms of codeine addiction. Instead, it re-regulates the endorphin-receptor system, reversing the damage opioids cause to the CNS.

By bringing the brain to its pre-addiction state, the ANR treatment negates the risk of ongoing withdrawal symptoms, enabling you to make a lasting recovery from codeine addiction.

Most importantly, the ANR treatment is very safe—even for those with complex medical issues, such as heart or liver disease. Not only is ANR carried out in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals by board-certified medical professionals, but it is also personalized to each patient’s needs and medical history.

And that’s not all—no matter the severity of your codeine addiction, our innovative approach can help you overcome it within just a few days. The hospital stay for the ANR treatment only lasts 36 hours on average.

For more information, contact us today and book a free, 100% confidential consultation.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, now you better understand codeine addiction, which is one of the greatest risks anyone taking this medication is exposed to.

Here’s a summary of the key points we covered:

• Even though codeine is among the weakest opioids, it still has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
• Some signs and symptoms of codeine addiction include withdrawal symptoms, weight loss, difficulty controlling codeine use, and isolation from loved ones.
• Codeine addiction is caused by chemical changes that occur in the brain due to opioid use, which can be successfully reversed with the ANR treatment.

Codeine Addiction FAQ