Prescription Drug Addiction Starts with Those Who Least Expect It

Oct. 26th 2013

pack of prescription pillsWe have become accustomed to quick solutions, we want our food fast, we want our Internet page to load instantly and if we have a problem with pain, we want it gone as quickly as possible. One of the most recent entries in the painkiller market is co-codamol – a combination of paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen, an over-the-counter medication) and codeine. While paracetamol is available over the counter, codeine is a part of the opiate family, a family that also includes heroin and morphine.

What is Codeine?

In order to understand why this is turning out to be a problem, it is important to understand the key ingredient in the medication first. It functions as a cough suppressant and doctors prescribe it for treatment of mild to moderate pain. When not taken as directed, it can be habit-forming. The body metabolizes codeine in a similar way that it metabolizes morphine. While codeine is much safer when we compare it to morphine use, you have to keep in mind that it is also far less effective for pain relief. This means that patients are likely to take more than originally instructed in order to deal with their pain symptoms.

What are the Side Effects of Codeine?

As with any prescription medication, it can have a number of different side effects. When taken as recommended, it is traditionally safe. However, in combination with other substances or when taking too much, it can lead to: a loss of libido, skin irritation, constipation, headaches, vomiting, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness, sleeplessness, blurry vision, dry mouth and increased sweating. It may also include an allergic reaction, which can include difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth or throat, hives or a rash.

Are There Other Known Side Effects?

There are a number of possible side effects to codeine, which you can divide into two main categories. These include short-term effects and long-term effects. The long-term effects are likely to develop with chronic, prolonged use and those who abuse the substance.

  • Short-term effects include – an inability to urinate, agitation, delirium, slowed heartbeat, shallow breathing, irregular thoughts or behavior, blurred or poor night vision and lightheadedness.
  • Long-term effects include – insomnia, disorientation, depression, difficulty concentrating, kidney and liver damage, a constant state of agitation or confusion, convulsions and hallucinations.

Effectively Manages Pain, but at What Cost?

There is no denying that codeine is able to relieve pain in patients effectively. However, unlike paracetamol and many other over-the-counter medications, it provides sensations of well-being and calm. That is the same way the other, stronger opioids work as well and may also lead to problems with dependence. One interesting aspect is that dependence on the drug appears to affect women more than it does men.

Especially when it comes to pain management, it is easy to understand why medications that have ingredients with a proven history of dependence can be dangerous. Over time, the body becomes accustomed to having certain levels present and for those living with chronic pain, this is standard. The patient may first take the recommended dosage, but finds out that as his or her body adapts to the medication, the recommended dosage no longer provides the pain-relieving effects it once did.

The Opioid-Addicted Brain

Like other commonly abused substances, opioids such as codeine affect the area of the brain that is responsible for the perception of pleasure and happiness. This is what provides those sensations of well-being and calm as previously mentioned. However, the body becomes accustomed to having these pleasurable sensations delivered in an easy way.

Instead of seeing a loved one, participating in a sport or doing well at work, our brain starts to understand that simply taking a pill will provide these same pleasurable sensations, as it releases the neurotransmitter, dopamine. We all know from personal experience that if something feels good, we are likely to try it again later. The same thing is happening (oftentimes on a subconscious level) with the abuse of opioids, such as codeine.

This is why people start to neglect things that were once important to them; it explains why users who only used medication such as co-codamol to relieve pain, may suddenly find that they do not have enough of their prescription to last them until next time. This is all because their brain has become accustomed to wanting more and more.

The Difference between Addiction and Dependence

It is important to understand the difference between the terms. Even if people use substances such as co-codamol as instructed, they are going to develop a tolerance and some level of physical dependence on them. This is why doctors may recommend lowering doses instead of simply stopping use altogether, because even in small doses, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. However, at these low doses, many would simply undergo the (traditionally mild) withdrawal symptoms and move on, never to abuse the substance again.

However, those that become addicted are going to continue seeking out the substance in order to get those same rewards. This is going to lead to compulsive drug abuse, despite knowing the negative consequences it has for them and the people around them. If we look at it practically, there is not much difference between a compulsion to use OxyContin, heroin, morphine, Vicodin or codeine, which are all opioids and all work on the same part of the brain.

While it is possible to stop a developing prescription drug addiction by stopping use completely – it is not as easy as it sounds. Oftentimes users are unable to identify the problem before it has a hold on them, which means it becomes a chronic disease that needs long-term addiction treatment in order to undo the compulsive and uncontrolled use of drugs.

We Need to Develop Alternatives

While there is no denying that opioids have a place in modern medicine, we have to take into consideration that it is quickly becoming the leading cause of fatal overdoses across the nation. It is time to take a step back and see whether we truly need opiates for every ache and pain; because with the increased availability and social acceptance, chances are that these numbers will continue to skyrocket in the future.


One Comment on “Prescription Drug Addiction Starts with Those Who Least Expect It”

  1. Jill Bides Says:

    Can we ever hear or read of news soon that says prescription drug abuse/addiction in America has gone down? Each time I read something, it always speak of horrors! Even more scary is that there seems to be very little done on the problem of prescription drugs addiction. Scarier that homes are prone to abusing drugs because our bathroom cabinets always have it! Besides, there’s a rising numbers of autism, ADHD, pain and injuries, etc., pyschological and emotional conditions – – – THESE all seem to require medication, right? Can we please focus on answers that does not require going to the pharmacy? Please?

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