How to quite codeine safely

If you are familiar with the name captain Cody, schoolboy, or purple drink, to mention a few, then you are no longer using the drug Codeine for its prescribed reasons. Codeine is a prescription drug used to relieve pain and sometimes as a cough suppressant. Unlike other pain-relieving medicines such as morphine, codeine is easily accessible with or without a prescription. People start using codeine innocently for mild pain but eventually start using it for any physical or emotional pain as it offers some relaxation.

They become so dependent on the drug, and within no time, they cannot do without it, addiction. Some users even advance into mixing the medication with soft drinks (purple drink) and alcohol to spice the drug consumption. Codeine drug abuse can lead to adverse effects in one's health as it can cause coma, respiratory failure, and even death. It is, therefore, essential that addicted victims seek ways of codeine withdrawal. The following is a guide on how to quit codeine safely;

1.       Acknowledge that you have a Problem

The first step to getting any help is to stop being in denial. If you refer to the drug codeine as Captain Cody, admit that you are no longer using it as per the doctor's prescription. Like any other drug addiction case, the codeine substance abusers are not aware that they have a problem until someone points it out for them. For victims who are willing to get better, they must acknowledge that they suffer from codeine addiction.

2.       Decide that you want to Stop

Once you acknowledge that you are addicted to the drug codeine, the decision to quit the drug cannot be made for you. Your parent, spouse, or friends may urge you to stop, but if the decision does not come from within, then you will find yourself relapsing. Therefore, decide personally to quit codeine, and only then can you successfully end substance abuse.

3.       Seek professional help

Now that you acknowledge that you have a problem and made a personal decision to stop,  quitting on your own may be a challenge. The urge to go back to using the drug could be too much for you; hence you should seek help from a specialist. Identify a reliable and reputable professional to help guide you in the recovery process. The benefits of having a professional's guide on the codeine withdrawal process include;

·       Identification of the root cause of the addiction. The professional will help you identify the initial reason for the development of the habit

·       It helps to identify situations that trigger the urge to use the drug and how to deal with them in the future.

·       Recommendations on guaranteed ways to help you recover

·       You get a chance to interact with people experiencing the same problem through support groups.

For guaranteed recovery, one has to be determined and committed to recovering. Also, one must follow the professional's guidelines to the latter and avoid situations and even friends who might contribute to relapsing. Codeine abuse is dangerous for one's health; hence, one should follow these guidelines to quit the drug safely.