Is there anyone who can successfully do this?

[lola200677]

I have been addicted to codeine for 15 years now and the problem of a vicious circle lies in that I need them because iv had stomach ulcers in the past so I can't take anti anti-inflammatorys and Normal painkillers don't work. I take codeine for headaches back ache (from a seizure a few months back) and period pains. So basically I 'need' codeine cause it's only thing that works on me and that I can safely take however...I am addicted to it. So iv tried having a batch that I use just for pain but I just can't help 'using' them too for various reasons such as emotional comfort and...addiction :( any advice or comments would be amazing and thank you for reading my rant!!! Xxx

[Gettingalifeagain]

Hi and welcome...good for you for reaching out for support.  I started taking codeine over the counter in 1990, along with alcohol.  I thought I was taking it for various slight pain, but I realized I too was getting emotional "ease" from it.  BUT, it then led me to opiates, which were NOT prescribed.  Addiction will move us from drug to drug.  I recommend as above, to let your doc know you are dependent on them and seek alternatives....all the best...

[msdelight]

Hi Lola,welcome to MH! So many of us here have made the transition from addiction to recovery and though you feel trapped now, it is something you can definitely do! You are in the right place with people who totally understand. I remember when I was using that I would see folks on the streets or at the store just living and laughing, and I could not imagine how they did that without being on drugs! I mean really it would make me cry. Just an example of how an addicted brain works. We make a big airtight box of reasons we NEED to use, but really it is just a bunch of irrational poo poo that makes no sense at all! Its not as hopeless as it seems dear Lola. You can do it and you will be okay. Here for you also!

[nonights]

I just want to tell you my story. I took hydro's for 18 years. I was diagnosed with fibromyalga and lupus. I too had a really bad childhood. I was out of control with taking the pills. Always counting pills days etc. Well I came on here after starting my own taper and really loosing it. I hot down to 3 a day and jumped off. Yes it was hard but doable. I'm now 102 days clean. You know what  I have very little pain now The withdrawals were causing a lot of my problems. Im much more active now than I was when taking pills
I have a real life now. I still have life problems but I can think so much better. I have grown so much. I wish you the same. I wasn't taking anything  else but the hydro's. Whatever you do I support you. Keep posting. It can be done.

[lola200677]

Thank you all for your comments I really really appreciate it. I'm thinking of going to rehab because I have had a hard childhood and am probably trying to numb my feelings with the codeine and also for legit pain and I just can't taper or go c/t so I need to get it sorted but I'm just scared of living daily life without the codeine it's so so hard to even imagine it - even makes me depressed n wana cry just thinking of not ever having those pills. Thank you all again tho :)))

[ariley13]

Hi Lola and welcome! I too suffer from chronic pain issues, as do many on here, so totally get how hard it is. The problem with opiates is that as we get dependent on them, and use them long term, our bodies stop producing our natural pain fighting chemicals, so our overall pain level in increased. I know it sounds backwards and screwy, but it's a real thing. It's called opiate induced hyperalgesia. I would highly suggest looking into this and doing some research, because after 15 years on opiates, you are more likely than not suffering from it. If you quit, the more time you put between you and the pills, the less pain you will have. You can do this and we will be here to give advice and offer support. Please stick around and keep posting.

[gnarly_1]

Hi and welcome.....well like you ,most of us who found ourselves here are addicts with that said with a few changes you can arrest the disease and then recovery is possible...the first thing you need to do is detox  there are 2 ways of doing this the taper and the c/t where you just stop taking  them both have merit  the ct is the most common approach you simple stop taking them and in 4 or 5 days the phyical addiction is over the other way is to taper slowly you dont get as bad of withdrawal but it last a lot longer there is no painless way of doing this it is kinda like the theory on a bandage you can rip it off quickly .(ct) or you can pull it off slowly (taper) most addicts can not taper if we had that much control we would not be here keep reading the posts you will see people doing it both ways  then decide how you want to  go about it...let us know we can support you ether way we all look forward to helping you with your problem ................................Gnarly

[VICourageous]

Ditto the Above..It is always best to reach out for Support..Talking to your Dr is a start..Then you can work on the underlying issues of why else you take these. There are MANY reason why!!!
Wishing You Peace & Comfort!

[ActingBrandNew]

Kyle and Lesa gave you great advice. There's really nothing I can add. I just wanted to offer you support.

[10356]

Hi Lola Welcome to MH.. I'm sorry to read you deal with pain. It seems to me the only choice you have in this is to stop the codeine and try alternative methods to control your pain. once You Realize you are a addict there really is not much we can do but get clean, Our lives spiral out of control eventually once we cross over into addiction. I hope you stay read pick up support.. Many have gone on before you thinking that they Needed a drug to survive when in the end it was that very Need that was killing them.. I wish you well on your journey, lesa

[kyle505]

Since, I'm assuming, you're under a doctor's care, and are getting meds from the doctor, then my suggestion would be that you tell your doctor that although you have legit pain issues you've found yourself "dependent" on the drug (you can avoid using the addict word, or, better still, tell your doc the truth - whatever is most comfortable for you).
Self medicating for any reason is very dangerous, as you're finding. You really need to get your doctor on board. My opinion. And by the way, hundreds of addicts have stopped using and are now living life in recovery.
K