My codeine story

[fluffi_bunni]

It started years ago when I was a teenager. My dad was on strong painkillers and he gave me some when I had a bad cold to ease my headache and sinus pain. After that, once I realised how they could make me feel I used to take some every now and again. That turned into everyday and eventually mom and dad realised they were disappearing and confronted me.
I saw a councillor, only a couple of times, but had no real help for my addiction specifically. I didn't take any for years after, they were locked away beyond my reach.
After a few years I became depressed due to other things but also realised you could buy codeine with paracetamol over the counter. Now and again I would buy some and started taking more and more. I stopped for a bit but then I hurt my back and the doc prescribed me with codydramol (paracetamol with more codeine) he later put it on repeat, silly mistake. I kept going back and since all I had to do was drop in the repeat form and pick it up 2 days later it was easy. I doubt they even checked when I had last had some. I was also buying the strongest painkillers you could get over the counter, I usually went into town and went round all the chemists to get a few days supply, which never lasted as long as I hoped.
I started to feel sick quite often in the last 2 months and last week I bit the bullet and went to tell my doc (not the one who put them on repeat) He's prescribed me with a small amount of codeine only pills which my fiancee takes with him and just leaves me the right amount and diazepam for when i get the serious shakes and cold sweats. I feel like s**t but at least now I have had my liver tested (thankfully the tests came back ok) and am now being referred to a substance abuse program.
Hopefully soon I can put this behind me but I know I will always be an addict and it will only take one slip to end up back on square one.

Good luck everyone.

[fluffi_bunni]

p.s If anyone has any tips for me to overcome this they would be most gratefully received. I'd also like to hear anyone with a similar story cos I feel like I'm the only one.

luv bunni xxx

[Gooch]

Welcome bunni ... I'm sorry it took me so long to spot this and say hi.

You are not the only one even though it may feel like it.

There are many of us here who waited a long time to ask for help because we were afraid there was no one who would understand. Contrarily, there are people today who might understand me better than I understand myself sometimes. Browse around the forums and you'll find lots of people who feel similiar and have similiar stories. Check out he recovery story forum where people have shared theor stories about what it was like, what happened, and how it is now.

Let us know how things are going with your substance abuse program and keep coming back!

We do recover!

[Evanna]

Welcome Bunni.

Have been there with the codiene addiction and its not pleasant. Well done for the steps you have taken so far and talking about it here. It is good you have some understanding people in your life. Stick close to the forum too.

Hugs Evanna.

hey Bunni
My addiction started years ago with my parents help but I quickly took the lead and promptly drove myself into the ground, but I'm glad your here and it sounds like you realize that you don't want to continue living this way. Your in the right place. Get to a meeting.. You'll meet several people with the same issues as yourself. Good luck and keep coming back.

Mike

[Dawn10]

Welcome Bunni,
You are not the only one. You are one of MILLIONS who have become addicted to opitates and you can overcome the addiction.
You are on the right track. I am clean for 6 years and it is wonderful.
Keep with your program, work the steps and keep coming here. You will find experience, strength and most of all HOPE!

[Imagine]

Welcome to SR bunni, Reading your post got me thinking about when I got clean. I sorry to say, but codeine was never my thing, just a cure for the jones. At first with me it was all about the drugs, but after working my steps I see the drugs as a sign of a bigger problem. Working the steps I got to the root of that problem, addressing that problem now for 5 1/2 years I find no need to drop out and turn on. So what I'm shareing is what worked for me, going to NA meetings, getting a sponsor, and working the steps. It really works, if WE work it. Keep Coming Back.