Opioids are a class of drugs that include illegal drugs like heroin, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, and prescription pain relievers like hydrocodone, morphine, and many others. While prescription opioids are highly effective in treating the symptoms of pain, they are extremely addictive and often cause individuals to experience life-threatening overdoses. According to the CDC, “opioids were involved in 68,630 overdose deaths in 2020 (74.8% of all drug overdose deaths).”[1]
One of the most common prescription opioid drugs is known as codeine, a narcotic analgesic that provides relief for mild or moderate pain. While codeine is effective in treating the symptoms of pain, it is habit-forming and highly addictive. Oftentimes, teenagers and young adults abuse codeine to experience a euphoric and relaxing high, leading to the development of addiction.
If you or a loved one struggles with codeine abuse and addiction, a New Jersey drug rehab can help you regain control of your life. Understanding the signs of codeine abuse and addiction and how rehab can help is vital to preventing the long-term effects of opioid use disorder.
Signs of Codeine Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one are using codeine in any way other than a doctor’s recommendation, you are abusing the substance. Codeine abuse includes taking larger doses of codeine than recommended at once, using codeine for longer than advised, or using the drug without a prescription qualifies as substance abuse. Anyone who is abusing codeine is at a high risk of developing an addiction to the drug.
When you abuse codeine, you will display certain signs and symptoms. While the signs of codeine abuse can be difficult to spot early on, over time they will become more apparent as your addiction progresses. Codeine addiction can cause an array of emotional, behavioral, social, and physical effects.
The common signs of codeine abuse and addiction include:
- Increased drowsiness and sleeping
- Decreased appetite
- Apathy
- Signs of intoxication such as pinpointed pupils, nodding off, or slurring your words
- Faking illnesses to obtain a prescription for codeine
- Going to multiple doctors to get more than one prescription for codeine (doctor shopping)
- Stealing money, valuables, or prescriptions from loved ones and friends to obtain more codeine
- Taking more codeine than prescribed to experience a high
- Continuing to abuse codeine despite facing mental and physical health complications
- Hiding your codeine use from your friends, family, or loved ones
- Having to increase the amount of codeine you consume to experience the desired effect (developing a tolerance)
- Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when you cannot use codeine (physical dependency)
- Experiencing strong urges or cravings to use codeine (psychological dependency)
Untreated codeine addiction can lead to physical health conditions, life-threatening overdoses, worsened mental health symptoms, social isolation, and much more. The best way to overcome a codeine addiction and regain control over your life is to get help from an opioid rehab center.
How is Codeine Addiction Treated in New Jersey?
Getting treatment for codeine addiction can improve your overall well-being, health, relationships, and quality of life. If you have never been to rehab before, you may not know what to expect. Codeine addiction treatment centers in New Jersey use a combination of services, including an in-depth assessment, medical detox, behavioral therapies, and relapse prevention planning.
Assessment
Before you begin treatment, you will undergo an in-depth assessment to determine the severity of your addiction and which services you will require. Assessment the staff members collaborate to create an individualized treatment plan based on your personal needs and goals for recovery.
The initial intake assessment will include questions like:
- When did you start abusing codeine?
- What is your typical dose and how often do you use it?
- What do you think causes you to abuse codeine?
- Do you abuse other substances?
- Have you been diagnosed with a mental health condition?
- Do you have any medical conditions that require treatment or maintenance?
- When was the last time you used codeine and are you experiencing symptoms of withdrawal?
- Have you ever been to rehab before?
Medical Detox
Once you have completed the assessment, you will begin medical detox. This process involves the use of medication to manage your symptoms of withdrawal, which can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful without proper medical treatment. Typically, codeine detox involves the use of tapering medications, which allows your body to slowly adjust to the lack of codeine.
In addition to tapering medication, opioid detox involves constant monitoring to ensure that you are medically stable. Also, you will have 24/7 access to a licensed mental health professional who can provide you with support and treatment throughout the entire process.
Evidence-Based Therapy
After you are done detoxing, you will begin recovering from the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of addiction. Evidence-based therapies are used to identify the root causes of your substance abuse, induce positive behavioral changes that help you avoid self-medication, and teach you how to cope with emotions and uncomfortable situations healthily.
Types of addiction therapy used during codeine rehab in New Jersey include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- Contingency management
- Motivational interviewing
- Family behavior therapy
- Group counseling
Aftercare Planning
Lastly, before you make the transition from addiction treatment to independent living, you will participate in aftercare planning. Aftercare planning is a process that involves services and tools that help you maintain long-term sobriety and avoid relapse.
Aftercare planning involves the following tools and services:
- Continued attendance of individual or group therapy
- Access to an alumni program that provides you with support and community
- Continued medication management if needed
- Referrals to sober living housing programs to ease your transition to independent living
- A list of personal triggers and coping mechanisms to use to avoid relapse
- People to call in times of need, like sponsors, therapists, or sober friends
- Recommendations for addiction support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery
- Vocational training to help you learn how to obtain and keep a job
Get in Touch With a Codeine Addiction Treatment Program in New Jersey
If you or a loved one suffer from codeine addiction, substance abuse treatment is vital to your overall health, safety, and quality of life. Long-term codeine addiction can lead to the development of mental and physical health conditions, legal troubles, social isolation, financial devastation, and death. Attending a licensed drug and alcohol treatment program can provide you with the tools and support you need to maintain long-term sobriety.
Contact Moving Mountains Recovery Center today to start your recovery.
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