I'm addicted to co-codamol

[mizzu]

I started taking co-codamol several years ago for a leg injury. When I first took the painkillers, I felt absolutely amazing. I have always suffered from nerves and anxiety and found that the drugs made me feel so relaxed and took away all of my worries. Since then, I have been going to my doctor on and off, trying to get co-codamol and making any sort of excuse I could to get them. If my doctor wouldn't prescribe them, I would go to another doctor. If that doctor refused, I would go to the Emergency Room and claim that I'd just injured myself. I've been creating all sorts of fake injuries in an attempt to get the meds. I only take two a day, but it worries me because when I reach a certain point in the evening, I automatically go to the bathroom and take them, almost at the same time every night. I turn the tap on so my partner can't hear me opening the packet, and sneak into the kitchen to get a glass of water.  I am about to run out, and am already thinking of how I can get some more pills. I'm quite worried about this now. My moods have definitely changed. I get so irritable and moody over nothing, and often snap at people. The thing is, when I take the pills, I don't care about anything anymore, and my body just turns to jelly. I've become so addicted to this wonderful feeling, and am concerned that I won't be able to live without it.  Has anyone else experienced this?

[chaaa07]

I am 14 years old and very mature for my age, however, you will probably find this the most stupid case here. I went to the doctors 6 months ago due to headaches i was getting, they prescribed me some cocodamol, i wasn't too sure what it was, all i knew was to take one whenever i got headaches, i never felt high or anything like that off it. then after a month of moderatly taking it, lots of things changed in my household, and i suddenly stopped being happy, i felt empty and lost inside. then one night i went to a friends house for a party, and there was alcohol, everything got to me after getting very drunk, i took about 5 tablets along with the alcohol, but nothing happend, infact, i felt better. After that, i started taking atleast 5 a day, just to give me a 'pick me up', but only 2 months ago i started taking them with different tablets, because i just started feeling worse and worse, i also started to feel selfish and greedy because of what i was doing. I know this hasn't been going on aslong as most of these cases here and my effects aren't as bad. But i really got a wake up call, when only 3 weeks ago, i took too many with other tablets, i was shakey, scared, and couldn't see properly, nothing like it had happened before. i have spoken to a very close friend of mine about it, and he has tried helping massivly, he promised he wouldn't tell my mom, because i can't let her know, she is going through to much atm, which makes me more selfish. i ran out only 4 days ago, and i'm starting to want them again. My headaches are coming back, so my mom is taking me back to the doctors again to get more, i told my friend that i had thrown them away, but i didn't i just took them all. Please don't think i'm a pathetic child who wants some attention. i've been keeping this bottled up for so long now, and after finding this and reading it, it is making me feel some sort of hope, and i don't want to end up having a long run addiction to this. Please can someone give me some advice on what i should do?

[sudie58]

this thread started a long time ago, and then another person used it, you need to return to the top and post your question there, that way you will get replies and help,

[bilebag]

i lost so much over the past 6years without even noticing it due to addiction to this drug since 2005.Taking 8-10 daily life revolves around waiting for that 4hr period to pass to eat another 2.In the beginning they induced somewhat of a nice buzz but nowadays the buzz has since gone been replaced by irritable moods,heart ectopics and the odd rebound headache,there seems to be no much positives to taking them except when your addicted your body cries out of them regardless.I manage to hold down a full time job but when not at  work im mainly very tired but due to childcare dont get to relax much so become irritable.Life revolves around always having enough for whatever im doing.I have neglected my family i think as i have shown no interest in doing anything but wanting to sit at home,i have missed out on family holidays,days out etc and now 6 yrs down the line of this my wife has changed so much and it only recently hit me what i have lost and the thought of if i do stop what a mess im returning to.Another problem is was diagnosed with life threatning heart beat problem i take drugs for and not sure how much the codiene contributes to this,im a 40 a day smoker and need to quit desperatley,but for months ive been toiling with the which do i quit first before its too late,the cigs or the codiene cant do both together life seems a right mess.i wish i could get off both..i do the repeat prescription thing with success..few weeks ago i decide to quit and gave the codiene to my brother to save but by lunchtime same day was running up for them,nobody actually knows about my problem..i owe it to myself to quit before i lose the bit i have left but again i say which do i quit first,cigs or codiene i told people im quitting smoking this evening but ill not last it out,if i fail then ill be looking to quit the codiene then when comfortable off that concentrate on coming off theb cigs..god knows life seems such a\mess

[kelsterjojo]

am so glad i found this site,.. i have been head wasted for 2 years with this drug,.. first taken to recover from a serious injury,.. at first i felt stoned... not that i know what thats like but i can imagine,.. felt dopey hazy and chilled,.. did not care about anything,.. it kinda masked all the other stuff going on in the back ground,.. i developed a anxiety for being stuck in traffic and in crowded places... the ccd took all of that away... and now am wasted with it,.. i am down to 4 a day,..i dont even get the high anymore,..i have taken so much strength from all of your posts...and i am looking forward to being off this drug once and for all...

[marko300]

Hi all.
I'm 35 and have been taking this medication for around 10 years now. I started taking them as I suffer form lower back pain and have had all treatments for this but nothing worked, I remember the first time i took co codamol and I had the best night sleep ever. Then it got worse as I started to take them when i woke up, then in the afternoon and then in the evening and late at night. It's ruined my life. I have lost so much weight, I cant think clearly anymore and I don't do the things that I loved to do. My life seems to revolve around taking this drug. I'm going to stop taking them tonight as I dont want to rely on them anymore. I will let you know how i get on tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[Astray]

Physical withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone but usually things get gradually worse for around 4 days, then things get a LOT better very fast.

There are ways to reduce the effects, something like imodium to control your stomach and valarian to help you sleep might be a good start. There is good info in the Health Pages (link top right). Might be the last thing you feel like doing but some gentle excersise will help a lot too, even if it is just a walk around the block.

No way to avoid it though, you will be in for a rough few days but after that it will be over. Deciding to quit is the hardest step, you have done that now, stick with it, by the weekend you will be feeling sooo much better, believe me.