Getting through codeine withdrawal can be challenging

Codeine withdrawal is pretty much the same as most opiate base pain killer medications. They can cause mental as well as physical dependence on the drug. When dependence on the drug occurs codeine withdrawal symptoms will occur if the person suddenly stops using the medication.

Codeine withdrawal symptoms may include vomiting diarrhea, cravings, insomnia, stomach and muscle cramps, goose bumps, nervousness, irritability, sweating, yawing, runny nose and there could be more.

If you think you have a codeine addiction and want to stop using codeine and are concerned about the withdrawal do not be because I am going to let you know how to minimize the withdrawal from codeine.

How to taper off of codeine and prevent withdrawal

Lets say for instance that you are a long term codeine abuser what you would need to do is gradually reduce the milligrams or number of codeine pills taken each day. This should be done under the care of you personal physician if you have one. If you do not have one do not worry about it because you can still kick codeine. The thing is you have to truly want to stop and if you do it will require you to take action. What I would do is to start my taper by reducing my daily dosage by one pill per day. So if you are taking 10 a day the next day you would take 9 then 8,7,6 and so on. You may need to get a trusted friend or family member to dole the medication out to you each day too.

First thing I would do is to get rid of all the empty pill containers lying around your house they will serve no useful purpose except to remind you of what you are missing. A person must make a firm commitment that they are done using that codeine has beaten you and you utterly give up.

How to get through codeine withdrawal

Now if reducing the amount of codeine does not work for you do not give up there are other options. One option is to go to opiate addiction rehab. There you will be treated medically for your codeine withdrawal by trained medical specialists. They will administer prescription medications to help make you more comfortable during your opiate withdrawal. This procedure normally takes from 3 to 5 days.

When you complete your detox from codeine I would suggest that you continue your recovery in residential treatment if you want to stay clean when you leave rehab. I have tried to just detox and trust me that is not enough.

You must do everything you can if you want to overcome your codeine addiction. I would also have an after care plan in place for when you do leave rehab. This can consist of 12 step N A meetings you want to attend or addiction therapy in either case write out your plan include when an where the meetings will be held or how often you plan to attend one on one counseling.

This kind of plan has helped many addicts to stay clean and prevent relapsing on other drugs and this includes myself.