Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline and Treatment

Codeine is a prescription painkiller that can be highly addictive, and dependence can sometimes develop without the person realising. When regular use stops, withdrawal symptoms can occur, ranging from physical discomfort to emotional distress. Understanding these effects is key to managing them safely and effectively.

If you or someone you care about is taking codeine and you’re concerned about addiction, this guide will explain what to expect during withdrawal, the typical timeframe, and the safest environments for detox. We’ll also cover ways to support long-term recovery. For confidential advice about codeine withdrawal treatment, call Castle Craig today on 01721 546 263.

What Does “Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms” Mean? 

Codeine withdrawal symptoms occur when someone stops taking this prescription painkiller after developing physical dependence. The body, having adapted to the regular presence of codeine, must readjust to functioning without it. This natural process can create both physical and emotional challenges as your system works to restore its normal balance and function.

Understanding withdrawal symptoms from codeine is essential for anyone considering recovery from dependence. The experience can be unpredictable and uncomfortable, often lasting several days to weeks, making it difficult to manage alone. Professional medical support provides essential guidance during this vulnerable period, offering supervised tapering programmes and therapeutic care that improve safety, comfort and significantly increase the likelihood of successful long-term recovery from codeine dependence.

Common Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms, Signs and Side Effects 

Codeine is an opiate prescribed for moderate to severe pain, often after injury, surgery, or when milder painkillers like paracetamol are ineffective. It works on the brain and central nervous system to block pain signals, which can also ease anxiety linked to chronic pain. While effective, codeine carries a risk of dependence, and in rare cases, misuse can be fatal. In 2021, codeine-related deaths in the UK rose by nearly 25%, reaching record levels.

Although considered less addictive than drugs like oxycodone, prolonged or high-dose use can lead to tolerance, meaning larger amounts are needed for the same effect. This can progress to dependence, where codeine is taken to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and eventually to addiction, marked by cravings and compulsive use. Withdrawal from codeine produces symptoms similar to other opiates and can be uncomfortable, making safe management essential.

Various factors impact how you’ll experience codeine withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. How long you have been taking codeine, and at what dosage, will impact your withdrawal experience It can also be impacted by:

• Mental health
• Medical history 
• Body weight 
• Whether codeine was combined with alcohol or other drugs 

If you decide to stop taking codeine, it’s important to seek medical support before you attempt to quit. If you have become physically dependent on codeine, you may benefit from a medically assisted detox, which can better manage your withdrawal symptoms and any other potential issues or complications.

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Codeine Withdrawal Timeline 

The length of the codeine withdrawal process varies between individuals. Generally speaking, the first symptoms can set in an hour or so after the last dose. 

The total duration of time spent experiencing withdrawal symptoms will vary greatly, but you will typically experience the most uncomfortable physical symptoms for around a week. The psychological symptoms, like anxiety and depression, can last for longer, sometimes months after quitting. 

• Day 1: Here you will experience the symptoms associated with acute withdrawal from codeine. These might include a faster pulse, achy muscles, sweating, insomnia, and a runny nose or teary eyes. You will likely also experience intense cravings for codeine. 
• Day 2 – 7: The first week is the worst for physical symptoms and towards the end of the week, they should peak and then fade. Physical symptoms you might experience during this time include headaches, diarrhoea, and vomiting. As the physical symptoms recede, you may experience some psychological symptoms like depression or anxiety. 
• Day 8+: By now, the worst of the physical symptoms should have cleared up. But it is normal at this point to still be affected by psychological symptoms. You may experience these, along with physical cravings, for several months. 

Codeine and Prescription Pain Medication Detox

The reason you undertake a codeine detox is to clear the substance from your system and help your body remember how to cope and function without it. The best way to manage this process is to do so gradually, by tapering down your codeine dosage over a set period of time. 

If you are severely addicted to codeine, it may be beneficial to consider undertaking an inpatient detox at a safe, clinical facility. This means you will be supported from start to finish and any serious side effects of the withdrawal process can be dealt with by professionals. 

Can You Detox from Codeine at Home?

Many people would prefer to detox from codeine at home. While this is possible, it isn’t always advisable, especially if your tolerance to codeine is very high. The symptoms outlined above explain how uncomfortable this process can be, so having experienced medical staff on hand to help you guide you through will set you up for the best chance of success. 

During a home detox, most people quit cold turkey because tapering off can be a bit trickier to manage. It’s also true that quitting cold turkey can speed up the detox process, but it can also make it much more uncomfortable and consequently make relapse a much more likely outcome. When you quit cold turkey you will usually experience very intense symptoms, including extreme cravings that are difficult to manage on your own. 

Medically Managed Detox for Codeine 

If you are dealing with a severe addiction to codeine, or you’re addicted to codeine along with alcohol or another drug, undergoing your detox at a centre that can provide you with a medically supervised detox is likely to be your best option. 

Here, you will go through a strucutured, gradual withdrawal. Tapering off of codeine means you gradually reduce the dose over a period of time, which leads to a much more gentle detox. It allows your body to learn how to cope with fewer and fewer levels of codeine in its system so that when you eventually do stop taking it altogether it isn’t quite such a shock. 

To maximise your chances of quitting for good, you should detox in a medical environment where you can be safely monitored and any withdrawal symptoms managed. You can usually do this as either a residential treatment centre or as an outpatient. 

Medications That Can Support Codeine Detox

Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help manage codeine withdrawal symptoms, depending on your health history and individual needs. For mild discomfort, non-narcotic pain relievers like ibuprofen can ease aches, while diarrhoea can be treated with medicines such as loperamide (Imodium or Dioraleze).

For more moderate symptoms, clonidine during medically managed codeine detox may be prescribed to lower anxiety, reduce high blood pressure, and ease issues like cramping, sweating, and muscle aches. If sleep problems occur, short-term use of benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) may be considered, though their addictive potential means they are used with caution.

Codeine Withdrawal Management and Treatment

After completing codeine detox treatment, ongoing painkiller withdrawal support and recovery care are essential to prevent relapse. Even if codeine was prescribed for genuine pain, experiencing withdrawal symptoms often indicates dependence or addiction. Codeine withdrawal treatment is only the first stage in your journey towards lasting recovery.

Addressing the underlying causes through comprehensive treatment for codeine addiction greatly improves long-term outcomes. Whether you require co-codamol addiction treatment or broader codeine addiction treatment, therapy, counselling and structured aftercare provide the foundation for sustained healing. Professional support ensures you have the tools and guidance needed to build a healthier, substance-free future beyond the initial detox phase.

Residential Rehab Treatment for Codeine Withdrawal

If you are struggling with a severe addiction to codeine, inpatient rehabilitation may be the best option for you. You will temporarily move into a treatment centre, like Castle Craig, and receive all of your codeine addiction treatment on site.

This allows you to be completely removed from the environment where you developed your addiction, which will eliminate any triggers. You’ll also be able to access professional help whenever you need it, whether that’s medical monitoring while you’re undergoing a codeine detox or accessing a peer support group to help you navigate your addiction.

Addiction Counselling and Therapy for Prescription Painkiller Dependency

Addictions don’t just happen out of nowhere, in most cases they have an underlying cause. Without working out what caused your addiction, you risk remaining in the dark about it which leaves you vulnerable to developing other unhealthy coping mechanisms down the line.

You can choose from a range of different addiction therapies, with many people grappling with dependency finding CBT a very practical, useful form. Along with your therapist, you will uncover the issues that led you to addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms to help you avoid relapsing. 

Codeine Addiction Support Groups Near You

If one-to-one therapy sounds too intense for you, you might feel more comfortable in a support group setting. This peer-based approach is often experienced as a much less formal type of support, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t helpful. Peer support can help by sharing similar experiences, showing that avoiding relapse is possible and creating a support network that is there when you need it most. 

Outpatient Rehab Programmes for Opiate-based Drug Addiction

If you have decided that inpatient rehab is not for you, outpatient rehab may be good alternative. You will still attend a recovery centre at various points throughout the day or week, where you will receive codeine addiction treatment. However, instead of staying at the centre, you’ll go home afterward. Because this form of rehabilitation is less intensive, it often takes a little while longer than inpatient rehabilitation and can last for several months or even up to a year or more. 

It’s common to feel daunted about the codeine withdrawal process. But the good news is, that plenty of people have been exactly where you are right now and have beaten their addiction to codeine. In just a matter of weeks or months, that could be you, too. 

If you’d like to explore your options, talk through any concerns, or would like to understand how we can help you tackle this, please give us a call on 01721 546 263 for non-judgemental information and advice about our inpatient codeine detox treatment.

Contact Castle Craig Codeine Detox Centre

:Castle Craig is located in West Linton, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH46 7DH. Our serene surroundings in the Scottish Borders provide the ideal privacy for a focused recovery from codeine misuse, while the secure and private environment supports your progress towards a healthier future.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions on Codeine Withdrawal