Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms
Codeine is a prescription opioid used for mild to moderate pain and cough relief. It is the most common natural opioid. Although milder than other opioids, it can cause dependence, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.
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What Is Codeine Withdrawal?
Codeine withdrawal is a series of physical and psychological symptoms that happen when you reduce your Codeine use or eliminate it.
Codeine withdrawal can make you sick and uncomfortable. While opioid withdrawals aren’t typically life-threatening, some physical symptoms—like dehydration and high blood sodium levels—can be severe or deadly in rare cases.
Additionally, since many symptoms of codeine withdrawal can be uncomfortable, the temptation to relapse or return to prior drug use can come up.
However, if enough time has passed, your body has already begun to eliminate codeine from your system, and returning to the same amount you used to take can be deadly.
What Causes Codeine Withdrawal?
Codeine interacts with your central nervous system (CNS) to provide pain relief and minimize coughing.
If you take enough Codeine over time, your body becomes “dependent” on the drug’s effects, meaning you need it to function normally.
But when you abruptly cut back on your dose or go “cold turkey,” you may experience withdrawal symptoms as your body readjusts to a lack of codeine use.
Common Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms
Since Codeine is a fast-acting opioid, you’ll typically feel withdrawal side effects sooner than slower-acting opiates, and the symptoms may be more intense. However, they usually don’t last as long.
Because codeine use can cause symptoms like drowsiness, constipation, and low blood pressure, sometimes the symptoms of codeine withdrawal will end up causing the opposite effect.
Common Codeine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Codeine cravings
- Irritability
- Rapid breathing
- Runny nose
- Muscle aches, pains, twitches, or spasms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating and chills
- Goosebumps
- Tremors or shaking
Codeine Withdrawal Timeline
Symptoms of codeine withdrawal can begin 12 to 24 hours after your last dose and peak around 36 to 72 hours. The entire process for a short-term opioid-like Codeine typically lasts four to seven days.
That said, some people continue to experience long-term symptoms, which can last six months to a year after the withdrawal period passes.
Potential long-term Codeine withdrawal symptoms include:
- Memory problems
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Sensitivity to stress
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Sleep problems
How Do People Safely Withdraw from Codeine?
While it is possible to quit opioids on your own, it can be dangerous. Many people’s attempts to quit drugs solo don’t lead to long-term abstinence.
Plus, quitting opioids suddenly can cause more severe withdrawal symptoms that encourage you to return to drug abuse or seek other opioids.
To make Codeine withdrawal more tolerable and improve your chances of lasting abstinence, getting professional help is key.
Medical Detox for Codeine
Most people find it more comfortable to taper off opioids like Codeine slowly. In many cases, the best way to manage codeine dependence is through medical detoxification (detox).
During a detox treatment program, medical professionals can provide supervision as your body eliminates Codeine from your system.
However, not all medical detox requires in-person medical supervision. Medical detox can take place on an inpatient or outpatient basis or as a part of an addiction treatment program.
Detox often includes a tapering schedule. You might take smaller doses of Codeine directly or switch to a slower-acting opioid (such as methadone or buprenorphine) since these drugs are associated with milder withdrawal symptoms.
Non-opioid medications, like Lofexidine, can also help ease symptoms by decreasing levels of chemicals connected to certain opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering Schedule for Codeine
While Codeine withdrawals only last a week, the detox process may take longer—often between two weeks to a month or more.
While you may be eager to get through the detox process, remember studies have connected longer tapering schedules to better abstinence rates.
Tapering is often recommended for dealing with opiate withdrawal (including Codeine), so you can ask your doctor or healthcare provider about this treatment option.
Complementary Medication for Codeine Withdrawals
In addition to a slow tapering schedule, your care team may prescribe complementary medications or suggest over-the-counter options to manage your symptoms, such as the following.
| Symptom | Medication |
| Anxiety | Clonazepam |
| Muscle cramps | Ibuprofen |
| Aches or pains | Acetaminophen, or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) |
| Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea | Metoclopramide, bismuth subsalicylate, Ondansetron, or Prochlorperazine |
| Insomnia | Trazodone, or zolpidem, doxepin, or mirtazapine |
Additional Support During Codeine Withdrawals
Substance use disorder is more than just the compulsion to continue taking drugs: It also changes your brain and makes it harder to control your impulses. It’s why many people can benefit from mental health support like therapy during or after their Codeine withdrawals.
You might learn new coping skills with individual therapy through methods like:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A therapy technique that challenges unhelpful thought patterns and teaches you new ways to respond to them through “homework” assignments.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): A type of therapy that helps you manage intense emotions and change your behavior patterns.
- Family therapy: A form of group therapy that addresses how substance abuse impacts different members of your family and promotes positive change in the family’s dynamics.
Some people also benefit from making new connections at a 12-step support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Find Support and Treatment for Codeine Withdrawals
Like any opioid use disorder, treating Codeine addiction is a multifaceted process. While it’s possible to quit on your own, you can get more support through the withdrawal period by seeking professional help.
To find medical detox programs for yourself or a loved one in your area, visit SAMHSA’s online treatment locator.
Remember that just by seeking Codeine treatment resources, you’re already making progress toward long-term recovery.
FAQs About Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms
Can codeine cause withdrawals?
Yes. Codeine is an opioid, meaning it has abuse potential and can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
How long do codeine withdrawal symptoms last?
As a short-acting opioid, most Codeine withdrawals typically last around four to seven days. However, some people may experience mild symptoms that linger for months afterward, like anxiety or trouble sleeping.
What is the first sign of codeine withdrawal?
There isn’t necessarily a definitive order to Codeine withdrawal symptoms. But, according to a 2023 study of opioid withdrawal, the most common symptom is anxiety. Other Codeine withdrawal symptoms include sweating, chills, hot flashes, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
