Codeine

[emmer]

Too anyone who doesn't think codeine is addictive enough to worry about, or is thinking on giving it a whirl-

Well, I wanted to post this because, even though codeine is a weaker opiate than many out there, it is very addictive none the less.

I am amazed at the "control" over it, that I dont have.
Somewhere in the neighbourhood of about 2 weeks ago, I started using this stuff again because I had to somehow stop abusing other meds.

Swapping one addiction for another is beyond stupid, I know, but in my addict brain, it seemed like a good idea.

But anyway,back to how addictive this stuff is
Now, maybe I'm weaker than a lot of folks.........I dont know, but my use has more than quadrupled (sp) in just 2 weeks.

I've easily taken 1000 pills in 10-14 days and I cant seem to stop.
My skin is itchy and my arms are scabbing up and i have a pain (off and on)where my liver is located.

Now I know that I cant stop on my own, I realized that yesterday.

In all my going to NA (here and there) this will be the first time I will have to use the phone list to stop this madness.

My point is .........codeine mucked me over quick and will do the same for you, if you flirt with it.

Please don't.

I might add............ I am thoroughly ashamed of myself.

[Jane63]

((emmer)) Do they sell that stuff OTC up there in your neck of the woods? I would be in BIG trouble if they did that around here!
Maybe you are taking more because it's so easy for you to get more??

Yeah, your body is definitely telling you something there and I hope you can find a way to stop or taper soon before you do some real damage, my friend!
Please don't let your shame or anything else keep you from seeking recovery!

I have faith that you can get back on track, hun! You CAN do it!
((HUGS))
Jane

[emmer]

Yes ,they do sell it OTC here.

I've been pm'ed the CWE method to help take out the large amounts of tylenol but to tell you the truth I just want some non dope mental relief.

I first abused my own meds to try to help with mental health problems and when that got out of control, I used codeine, but as much as I am taking, it isnt helping
at all.
I am in worse shape mentally now then 2 weeks ago.

Now I feel like I cant stop.

[Jane63]

((emmer)) Yeah, the CWE method and taking the tylenol out really isn't going to help you in the long run.
I totally understand wanting relief from the anxiety and mental BS cause I struggle with it everyday. I don't abuse the Xanax I am prescribed though...really weird, but I've just never had the desire.

Opiates though have a strange hold on me and I thank goodness they don't sell those evil little pills OTC here in the states!
Hang in there ((emmer)), OK?:ghug
Jane

[emmer]

Thanks Jane for the reply.

Boy do I feel sick tonight, I have to get some help.

[hopefully tryin]

I know you can get through this! When I was using opiates, I found out that I was allergic to codeine the hard way. I took some (a bunch) and ended up red and itchy like crazy and trouble breathing. Splotches all over my neck and chest. Uggh it was horrible. But you know what when I was out of my doc, and had codeine I took it regardless! How sick is that? I had no control. I'm sure it was probably such a bad reaction because of the amount I had to take to get my high but it was still scary. I went to a rummage sale with my mom when this happened and made up some excuse like it was all the dust or something in the rummage sale. It sounds so pathetic now. You can do it...

[emmer]

Thanks HT, my skin itches too when injesting huge amounts of t1's.
That itching caused me to scratch the heck out of my legs and arms causing sores and scabs.

I told my wife tonight that I need to go to NA because I cant stop and stay stopped.
Time to somehow gmst.

[hopefully tryin]

Quitting is easy compared staying that way! The hard part is staying clean. I'm sure you know that though. It is so easy to trade one addiction for another. I can't imagine how much harder it is when the codiene is readily available OTC. But then again, alcoholics quit and alcohol is available everywhere! It's a hard search but finding out what we are trying to cover up with drugs and learning to deal with it and face it is a great thing in recovery and is key to making progress. I'm trying hard to get to the root of my problems and while I may not get my answer I am at least learning to live life w/o drugs and learning how to deal with problems that seem so easy to handle by people who don't have addiction. Will I ever live up to my own expections? Probably not. But I am not comparing myself to others, trying to live up to their expectations and then using drugs when I find out I am not perfect. A lot of addicts are perfectionist but in that quest for perfection they also end up in a cycle of self sabbotage. Don't know if thats where you are but I know I do it all the time.

[emmer]

Gee Ht , some very good points indeed. Have you ever heard of being terminaly unique?
Well , I guess we addicts/alkes all, at one time or another, think this way and unfortunetly this is where Im at right now.
I read something devistating,concerning me a few days ago and cant even talk about it yet and damned if that doesnt make it all that much harder to stop using.

[Dee74]

Emmer - no advice for you man other than hit NA - evrything to gain and nothing to lose, right?

D

[hopefully tryin]

Terminally Unique?? Hmm yes myself indeed. But being unique is a characteristic that noone can immitate and is original :-)
I accept and celebrate my uniqueness. If we were all the same the world would be soo very boring

[hopefully tryin]

Terminally Unique?? Hmm yes myself indeed. But being unique is a characteristic that noone can immitate and is original :-)
I accept and celebrate my uniqueness. If we were all the same the world would be soo very boring

[tw33k]

I hear ya man. Back in the day I would down 5-6 bottles of codeine linctus a day. I know what it's like. Anything that we get hooked on is as bad as anything else. Addiction is addiction and it's brave of you to post this and a good wake up call for some.
Hang in there bro, we're with ya.

[lostbutterfly]

I so know where you are Emmer. My habit took two years to get out of control originally. But now, when I start up again, it seems to take two days. By the third day I am crying with the helplessness and hopelessness of it all.

Thanks for posting. For a weak opiate, it's claws sure do sink deep.

((Joe)) I hope you are using CWE - just to keep you safe until you kick this thing.

[Impurrfect]

(((Joe)))

I'm glad you are here, being honest, and reaching out. I'd rather you not be using, but I really don't like it when you disappear, so stick around, okay?

I don't care if someone considers it "weak" or not....if something is "weak", I would probably just take enough of it, that it would kick my butt, which is probably what you've done. My motto, with dope, has always been "if one's good, well then more is better!".

I know you have some things that are bothering you and I don't have any solutions or cures, but if there IS anything I can do to help, other than praying, all you have to do is ask. You have a lot of friends here, and a lot of support. I never could have gotten to where I am without my friends at SR, and I wouldn't recommend it Heck, get support wherever you can..it's a good thing, NOT a weakness!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

[woops]

Hi Joe

Well - as you know I am back in the mire again - taking these bloomin pills - only ours contain 12.8 mg of codeine phosphate instead of the 8 mg which the Canadian pharmacies sell. Lucky us??

Like you I have been taking them only for a couple of weeks - but no way can I just quit - tried that - impossible to do and function at work and at home. So - the only option at the moment for me is to taper.
What a terrible situation to find myself in having been clean for a fair period of time - and to find that I cannot just quit after a couple of weeks is awful.

I think that the referral to "weak opiates" is about the strength of bonding of the molecules - nothing to do with the potential for abuse/addiction. So - I dont think of it in that way. I know from my own experience just how strong this addiction is.

You said on another thread that you were going to cut by half the amount you were taking. Is this right? Why such a big cut? I ask - as I have seen that advice often - to cut the amount in half and then taper down. But cant see the logic. Anyway - did you manage to do that?
Do you think you will try to taper or will you try for c/t?
Just asking - for we could travel together for a bit?

I intend to reduce tomorrow. (I know - always tomorrow!! LOL). Tomo is the start of the new year in terms of work and habit etc - so its a good idea for me to try this I think.
I am at present taking 24 pills per day (310 mgs codeine phosphate) - and I will try for 20 tomorrow - for 5 - 7 days - see how it goes.
It would be terrific if we could help one another along as we go?

What about yourself?

[lostbutterfly]

Just popped in to cheer you on, you two!

Personally, I don't care if it's weak, strong, or somewhere in between. All that matters is that it's a darn sight stronger than any of us!!!

Rooting for you! ((Joe and Woops))

[emmer]

I have one monumental problem staring me in the face (not drug use,something else)
that is even too f---ing scary even to discuss right now, and using seems to help.
But my tolerance to these damn things has sky rocketed out of control and I know deep inside that it will only get worse.

This is a very good example of why doping over problems only leads to more problems.
Quite simply, I cant seem to gather the courage to put an end to this bandaid approach of dealing with life.

[TheWonkydonkey]

I've been guilty of thinking the codeine wasn't such an issue, I'm a year on from beating a coke addiction and have snorted and swallowed just about ever other drug available but never codeine. I always figured if you could buy it OTC how bad could it be?
I'm guess i'm learning the answer to that

[emmer]

I've come to the conclusion that this using thing, is sucking the life out of me.

[hopefully tryin]

"This using thing" WILL suck the life out of you. BUT not if you don't let it!! Keep your head up Emmer YOU can do do this. You have done it before, you can do it again. Look deep inside yourself and pull out that strength. Keep us posted

[emmer]

Thx HT , very much. This is my third day with a muchly reduced codeine use.

from 60 pills to 45 to 30 and now to 24 today.
Also I have stopped in its tracks, my abuse of my other meds.

[lostbutterfly]

Wow, Joe. You're doing good!

[Impurrfect]

((Joe))

Fantastic!!!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

[woops]

Originally Posted by emmer

Thx HT , very much. This is my third day with a muchly reduced codeine use.

from 60 pills to 45 to 30 and now to 24 today.
Also I have stopped in its tracks, my abuse of my other meds.

Absol terrific, Emmer.
Are you suffering withdrawals?
Perhaps I could cut to half my present dosage and then downdose more slowly?
Anyway - great news, Joe - keep it up. It's heartening to see someone in a similar situation getting thro this. Hope its making you feel so much better about things?
Take care
woops