In the early 70s, immediately after the Nigeria/Biafra civil war. We were then living in Lafia town in the then Benue-Plateau State, and now Nasarawa State. My dad was running a Provision cum Medicine store. We were selling drugs like aspro, codeine, APC(not the political party), cafenol, phensic, butazoladine, ephedrine, gripe-water, herb-tea, conquer-mixture, castor-oil – etc, etc, etc.
Whenever any of us had fever or headache, my father would instruct us to go to the counter or table and take one or two tablets of codeine – which was then in a brownish bottle of 50 tablets. Notwithstanding we preferred APC tablets which were smaller in size and easier to swallow, my father would always refuse, saying codeine was more effective than APC. Now look at what we have done with the simple codeine.
Yes, codeine(methyl morphine), is the least effective of the opiates. It is white and crystalline in form, and is often used with aspirin for treating headaches. Because of the inhibiting effect on nervous reflexes it shares with all opiates, it is used in many cough medicines, and sometimes in the treatment of diarrhoea, since it reduces peristalsis( the automatic rhythmic contractions of the intestine). The risk of tolerance and abuse are gradually increasing, hence this discussion.
Understanding Codeine addiction
■ Codeine is a short-acting narcotic prescribed by Doctors, most often used as a treatment for pain relief or added in a syrup as anti-tissuve-cough suppressant.
■ Codeine can be highly addictive and provides the user with an overall sense of well being and pleasurable calmness.
■ When codeine is used it enters the brain and causes the release of neuro transmitters that stimulate the reward centre of the brain, leaving the user with an intense feeling of well-being and pleasure. This kind of pleasure can lead to both physical and psychological dependence.
■ Some individuals use codeine for legitimate medical purposes, but over time they develop an addiction. After prolonged use an individual develops a tolerance for codeine and needs to take more and more of the drug in other to feel the effects.
• Someone addicted to codeine, can begin to feel symptoms of withdrawal if he goes for a short time without using the substance.
■ Other individuals who become addicted to codeine, begin to use it to manage their other social and other problems in their lives, such as emotional pain or psychological stresses due to the euphoric feelings it causes.
■ Many who become addicted to codeine, will use it with other substances – such as benzodiazepans or alcohol to increase the calming effect, and feeling of well-being these substances cause. This can lead to respiratory depression or coma.
Signs and symptoms of codeine addiction
Symptoms of codeine abuse will vary among users, depending on the amount and the duration of drug abuse. Symptoms of codeine abuse include;
1) Mood Symptoms – a) euphoria. b) calmness. c) depression d) anxiety d) mood swings
2) Behavioural Symptoms – i) drowsiness ii) increase in the length of sleeping time iii) decreased appetite iv) apathy v) increased hospital visits v) negligence of loved ones vi) “doctor shopping” or visiting a number of doctors to obtain more codeine prescription vii) prescription forgery or buying codeine containing preparations over the counter viii) stealing prescriptions or opiates from friends and family ix) health care fraud x) lying to cover up amount used.
3) Physical Symptoms constipation, blue tinge on lips and finger nails, muscle twitches, dizziness, fainting, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, itching, rashes, urinary retention, hypotension, seizures, respiratory depression and decreased libido.
4) Psychological Symptoms – hallucinations, delusions, memory loss, lack of emotions.
What are the effects of codeine abuse?
Although codeine is a prescription drug, the abuse of codeine can cause significant damage to an individual life. Some of these effects may include –
■Acute pancreatits, major depression, liver damage, kidney damage, financial problems, legal issues, domestic problems, job loss, heightened pain and light sensitivity – photophobia, uncontrollable muscle twitches, muscle spasms – cramps and pain, loss of productivity at school or work, impaired social relationships, seizures, incarceration, respiratory depression, bradycardia, cold clammy skin, decreased muscle tone and coma. Please re-read the effects of codeine in the body above, as researched by Acidiana Addiction Centre in Louisiana USA, then you will not wish even ,your worst enemy to be addicted to one.
Treatment of codeine addiction
The person should be taken to a rehab centre. Always be medically guided.
► Please follow me on twitter ; @ _ DRSUN.