Started AA 10 days ago. Got pneumonia 5 days ago...cough syrup?

[lilyput]

Hi everyone, I'm back on the forum after a brief hiatus. I started AA 10 days ago, and haven't drank since. However, I came down with pneumonia 5 days ago, and the doc gave me cough syrup w/codeine to help with severe lung pain and sleep (I didn't ask for it.) I've never liked painkillers as they make me feel funky and cranky, so I've never felt the need to turn to them when in an emotional crisis. My question is this: Is my taking the cough syrup AS PRESCRIBED considered a backslide on my alcohol abstinence?

[HYDROSUPERMOM]

are u sure it's codeine or is it hydrocone-which is vicodan  this was my problem  i took it 4-5 years.  be careful and stop taking it as soon as possible  good luck

[lilyput]

The cough syrup does help with the cough although I see that it does make me a little "high," as in: I like the feeling it gives me. So...I'm going to take cocobean's advice and give the cough syrup to my hubby to keep and dispense to me when needed. My cough is getting better every day, and I only take the syrup so I can quit coughing long enough to sleep, so I shouldn't need more than a couple more doses. It's a tiny bottle so it'll be gone if I continue more than a few more days anyway. I didn't think to mention to the doc about my alcohol problem. I will in the future, fo sho.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am really kinda freaked out about all this. I've had a very, very difficult go with depression and anxiety, and now it seems as though I'm addicted to alcohol. Life can be so freakin' hard sometimes, and it just seems so unfair that now I have this to overcome. But life isn't always fair (rarely is), and I know that it will be good again one day. Now it's time for me to go write my daily gratitude list :)

[Jacqui805]

There is no alcohol in the cough syrup....

[cocobeanlisa]

Hi,
I am a 11years sober, thanks to AA.  AA saved my life...

Now I say go straight to your sponsor, at a 11 days sober you should not be having
anything w/alcohol or codiene..If it is really needed and your doctor knows your history with alcohol, give it to your sponsor or husband/parent to hold and give to you when it is needed.  I can relaspe on nightquil, so this is really slippery business.

hang in there cocobean

[Jacqui805]

Codeine is used as an antitussive as well as being used for the treatment of pain.  There is no reason you shouldn't take this medication.  

[FLaddict]

there is a section in some literature that says the medication from a doctor is ok as long as you are using at doctors orders and stop using it when you feel better.

[dove3053]

Good for you on being 10 days clean. Sorry to hear your sick. Since I had a bad drinking problem I always try to stay away from anything with alcohol in it. ---does your dr know your history with alcohol?  Maybe there is something else he could prescribe. I would no way consider this any kind of setback. Hope you get better soon and keep up the good work. AA did wonders for me. I was almost a lost cause.

Dove

[worried878]

If you need the codeine for cough and using it as prescribed..no...codeine is a weak narcotic..I am not sure if there may be very small amounts of alcohol in the syrup but stick to the dose and stop it when u do not need it...something non-narcotic may have worked for you and may have been a better choice but if this is effective for the cough, use it to stay strong..if u get to liking it too much run...this forum is mainly narcotic addicts so we see the word CODEINE and we cringe...codeine is not one of the main narcs abused tho as it is very weak