What Is Codeine Intoxication?
Codeine intoxication is the phrase given to the feeling of being under the influence of codeine without a prescription or when used contrary to how it’s intended to be used. The sensation of codeine intoxication comes when the codeine is converted to morphine inside the body, effectively binding to the brain’s opioid receptors.
Once this conversion and binding occur, the body decreases the sensation of pain, reduces the urge to cough, and increases the release of dopamine. Naturally, this dopamine release brings on a good sensation throughout the body. However, as the codeine intoxication sets in, the feeling shifts from good to bad.
Like morphine, hydrocodone, and heroin, codeine is what’s known as a CNS depressant — this means that codeine intoxication directly impacts the body’s central nervous system. Other CNS depressants include sedatives, tranquilizers, and hypnotics, and all are known to slow down the brain’s activity significantly, making the substances helpful in treating anxiety, panic, stress, or sleeping disorders in proper doses, but quite dangerous and addictive in higher quantities.
The dangers of CNS depressant abuse are nothing to brush off. CNS depressant abuse has been known to bring on a slowed heartbeat and reduced breathing, severe seizures, disorienting hallucinations and delusions, suicidal ideation, aggressive behavior toward the self or others, and cardiac arrest, and it can even induce comas. That’s not even the half of it, either — there are also codeine side effects over the short and long term to consider.
Codeine Side Effects: The Short Term
In the time immediately following the intake of codeine, users typically experience a series of distinct and unmistakable side effects that come after the good feeling begins to fade. These are just a few of the most common:
- Intense nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or constipation.
- Noticeable pinpoint pupils.
- Severely reduced or slowed breathing.
- Extreme fatigue or full loss of consciousness.
- A significant change in heart rate or blood pressure.
- Loss of memory or inability to form thoughts.
- Severe dry mouth.
- Extreme dizziness.
- Intense sweating.
- Painful headaches or migraines.
Of course, after these short-term side effects come the long-term codeine side effects.
Codeine Side Effects: The Long Term
Short-term codeine side effects are bad enough, but prolonged use of the drug can result in even worse side effects. Chronic abuse, addiction, or dependence on codeine doesn’t just harm the body in the moment, it can also cause long-term damage to the body and the mind long after taking the drug. These side effects include:
- Life-threatening intestinal blockage or ruptures.
- Lasting impairments to the liver, kidneys, brain, and eyes.
- Problems with amnesia and permanent loss of key memories.
- Permanent damage to the brain as a result of slowed breathing, and subsequently reduced oxygen flow.
- Difficulties with cognitive function.
- Changes to or loss of vision.
- Troubles falling asleep and staying asleep.
Even if a person ceases the use of codeine, these long-term side effects may continue to stick with them for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to know the risks associated with codeine use.
Is It Possible to Overdose on Codeine?
Just like any other opioid, it’s very possible to overdose on codeine. This occurs when an individual takes far more than the recommended dose and the body simply cannot handle the toxic level of the substance. Not only this, but opioid use can lead to overdoses quite easily compared to other substances because of the nature of codeine.
As the opioid activates the brain’s central nervous system, the body slows down as dopamine is released. Because of this, the brain’s ability to think clearly and logically is also slowed — as such, the opioid user can accidentally take too much of the drug with ease because of this impairment of the brain and the body.
If someone is overdosing on codeine, there are some important signs and symptoms to look for to identify it. These include:
- Bluish-purple lips and fingernails due to the slowing of the heart.
- Feelings of muscle weakness due to the lack of blood flow.
- Cold, clammy skin as a result of decreased blood flow.
- Feelings of breathlessness or shallow breathing as a result of the slowing of the lungs.
- Weak pulse, slow heartbeat, and low blood pressure from the slowing of the heart.
- Entering into a comatose state.
- Being overcome by feelings of weakness or fatigue.
- Shrinking of the pupils to the size of pinpoints.
- Slipping in and out of consciousness.
- Feelings of extreme drowsiness.
- Severe itchiness.
- Slurring of the words.
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Codeine?
When a person subjects their body to prolonged use of codeine, like other opiates, they can quickly develop a tolerance to it or even a dependence on it. When this happens, coming off the drug — either by choice or by lack of access — can be extremely rough. This is what’s known as withdrawal, and it comes with its own set of hard symptoms.
On the upside, unlike the short- and long-term effects of codeine, withdrawal is very rarely fatal. Alas, it is highly uncomfortable. Because of this, it might be in a person’s best interest to seek medical attention when experiencing extreme withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms of codeine include:
- Insomnia or inability to sleep.
- Extreme feelings of agitation or anxiety.
- Intense cravings for the drug.
- Runny nose, sweating, and watery eyes.
- Excessive yawning and feelings of fatigue.
- Muscle pains and aches.
- Severe stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
- Development of goosebumps.
- Dilation of the pupils.
How Windward Way Recovery Can Help Treat Codeine Addiction and Dependence
As you can see, the sheer number of risks makes codeine abuse something not to be taken lightly. Thankfully, there is hope. If you or someone you know or love experiences these side effects and wants to seek treatment for codeine abuse, look no further than Windward Way Recovery.
Windward Way Recovery proudly offers free clinical assessments to anyone who seeks one. After the assessment, you or the person you know will have the chance to talk with a specially trained admissions coordinator to discuss the wide range of treatment options. After this, the choice is in the patient’s hands whether or not they’d like to enter a treatment center. There’s no obligation whatsoever.
At Windward Way Recovery, the main priority is to ensure a comprehensive and customizable addiction recovery treatment plan that is designed to suit the patient and their needs. This includes the use of evidence-based and holistic therapies and the reliance on small, intimate group settings that promote both acceptance and privacy.
Part of what sets Windward Way Recovery apart is our status as a dual-diagnosis treatment center. This means that our alcohol and drug addiction treatment goes hand-in-hand with addressing any underlying mental health issues that can develop as a result of substance use disorders (including anxiety, depression, trauma, and more).
For more information about seeking treatment for codeine dependence and addiction, contact Windward Way Recovery today. Call anytime, day or night, to speak with someone who can help you find the treatment you need. You can also chat with Windward Way Recovery 24/7, reach out via email, or even conduct a 15-minute assessment over the phone — whatever is most convenient and most helpful for you and your journey to recovery.
