Like those of other opioids, codeine side effects are harmful. These symptoms of using or abusing the painkiller can cause lasting damage. So what are these side effects and how can you avoid them?
Can Codeine Side Effects Hurt You?
Codeine side effects are not something people using the drug think of when they start abusing it. Instead, the high attracts them, providing positive feelings of the painkiller. These good feelings include euphoria, relaxation, and pleasure. But soon, the pleasant feelings give way to negative side effects.
Painkiller side effects include the biggest problem of all for users–addiction. Addiction brings its own symptoms along with the choke hold it inflicts on individual lives. So whether you are abusing this drug recreationally or already suffer addiction, there are effects you must consider.
Another consideration that abusing an opioid brings are the withdrawal symptoms you suffer when trying to quit. These withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening. How withdrawal affects you depends on many factors, such as:
- Health history
- Family history and genes
- How much of the drug you used
- How long your use continued
- Presence of mental illness
- How you used it, whether snorted, injected, smoked or swallowed
Short and Long-Term Effects of the Drug
Opioids cause both short and long-term effects, not the least of which is an addiction. Negative short-term effects include nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Beyond these issues are sleepiness, dysphoria, or confusion. An irritating side effect is dry mouth and you may also suffer an allergic rash.
Some of the most serious short-term codeine side effects include slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, and low blood pressure. Most of these symptoms occur at high doses, as do unconsciousness, respiratory collapse, and cardiac arrest.
Long-term codeine side effects include death. If this isn’t enough to keep you from using the painkiller, maybe insomnia, nightmares, liver damage and seizures are. Organ damage and coma are not uncommon.
Personal problems caused by abusing the drug include money problems, relationship issues, unemployment, criminal activity, drug seeking behavior, lying and other destructive behaviors.
Help You Need for Codeine Addiction
You can end your addiction to this dangerous drug. A sober recovery will give you a real chance at a brighter future. Serenity House Detox & Recovery offers opioid detox with medical supervision for comfort and safety. Programs at Serenity House Detox & Recovery also include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Detox program for women
- Detox program for men
- Inpatient detox
- Outpatient care
If you or someone you love are ready to end addiction for a better life, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery at 866-294-5306. The help you need awaits you in Ft. Lauderdale and Jupiter, Florida at Serenity House Detox & Recovery.
