As a legitimate medication, codeine works well in many cases: it’s a reliable pain reliever that can help treat everything from symptoms of the common cold to severe ailments. However, millions of people have taken to recreationally using the drug. This abuse may lead to codeine addiction. Young people can be especially prone to battling dependencies to codeine, as it usually easily obtained. Those recovering from illness or injury may also become dependent on the drug to cope with perceived pain after being prescribed it by a doctor. At BetterAddictionCare, we’ve created a nationwide addiction recovery network of rehab facilities that can address the unique challenges posed by an addiction to codeine with care and compassion. With personalized addiction counseling and guidance from highly trained medical professionals, codeine addicts can enter an addiction recovery facility, detox, cope with the side effects of withdrawal and get sober in a supportive and safe setting.

Though codeine can be purchased over the counter (OTC), its addictive properties should not be underestimated. Those who are predisposed to addictions through physiological, environmental, genetic or related factors are especially susceptible to becoming dependent on this drug. An addiction to codeine may be experienced differently by individuals, depending on their personal physiologies, circumstances and level of addiction. For example, certain people may metabolize codeine at a faster rate than others, potentially making their addictions severe. As part of successful addiction recovery, it can be important to develop customized treatment plans, so that all of these factors are assessed and addictions are met with the appropriate course of action while individuals are in rehab.

Codeine’s popularity as a street drug has resulted in new nicknames for the substance and additional ways in which to ingest it. The drug may be referred to as “Cody”, “schoolboy”, “sizzurp“, “syrup”, “lean” or “purple drank”, among others, depending on its formulation and its presentation. Combining it with additional addictive substances, such as alcohol, can make an addiction to codeine an especially challenging dependency to break. For this and many other reasons, those suffering from a codeine dependency should complete our pre-treatment assessment to find the right drug rehab center to enter. Enrolling in a top facility with medical staff that specializes in treating codeine addictions can help addicts beat their dependencies the first time and with an improved chance of long term success.

It is imperative that individualized addiction treatment be administered during the detox process, so as to reduce the potential for relapse and decrease discomfort. Those with a codeine addiction, for example, may resort to taking harder opiates as a result of an unsuccessful detox. While the majority of physical responses to a codeine withdrawal can occur at the beginning of a detox, symptoms can linger for months after addicts successfully taper their use of the drug or completely rid their systems of it. Since withdrawal symptoms can eventually manifest as altered psychological states or mood disorders, having the right medical team and support systems in place long after an addict has left rehab can significantly improve the chances of a full recovery. If you suffer from a codeine addiction, don’t wait; start healing now. Call today to speak with a counselor who can match you with inpatient or outpatient alternative rehab programs near you.