Codeine is in cough syrup. It can’t be a dangerous drug, can it? In fact, it’s a morphine derivative. In addition, codeine withdrawal symptoms are real.
How Does Codeine Abuse Happen?
You may have heard of Purple Drank or Sizzurp. These terms describe cough medicines that people mix with soda and candy. Dosing is impossible to control. You keep drinking until you’re high or pass out.
Overdoses are common. You may not realize when you cross into dangerous territory. Just like other opioids, codeine can slow down your breathing. It can result in an inability to breathe deeply, which may cause you to slip into a coma.
You make matters worse when you mix codeine abuse with other forms of drug use. Some people drink alcohol along with Purple Drank, which is dangerous. When you keep using the drug, you’ll eventually develop a dependency. If you’re trying to quit, you may be experiencing codeine withdrawal symptoms.
How Serious are Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms?
Unlike other opiates, codeine travels through the body quickly. The liver metabolizes it faster than other drugs. Therefore, it’s not unusual to experience the first withdrawal symptoms about eight to 12 hours after the last dose. You start to feel like you’re coming down with the flu.
These symptoms gain momentum and become more severe. Muscle aches and stomach cramps happen. You feel depressed and tired. Even so, you’re unable to sleep and rest.
In severe cases, people can suffer from hallucinations. The severity of symptoms depends on your overall use pattern and health. Because you’re dealing with opiate withdrawal symptoms, it’s best to detox at a center. If your pain gets out of control, you can get immediate help.
What Codeine Detox Looks Like
You check into the facility. Most people can finish their drug detox in about five to seven days. You answer some questions about your health and drug use. A medical professional examines you to get baseline readings.
Next, you get comfortable and meet the team of medical experts who’ll monitor your progress. A therapist will customize a detox protocol for you. Examples of treatments include:
- Individual therapy that gives you time to meet with a counselor one on one
- Group therapy sessions that encourage you to connect with peers in recovery to learn about relapse prevention
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, which lets you pinpoint areas of dysfunction that led to your drug abuse
- Nutritional support, which guides you to a healthier lifestyle
- Holistic care that might include chiropractic treatments or meditation therapy
You might not be able to envision yourself sober right now. However, after about a week, you break the physiological dependency on codeine. The therapists at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston believe that they can help you with codeine withdrawal symptoms. Call 866.516.8356 today to find out how they’ll do it.
