Codeine is a weak opiate alkaloid legally prescribed for pain relief. As an analgesic, it alters the way the human brain reacts to pain without anesthetic effects. Codeine is also a narcotic and thus habit forming. Codeine can be ingested in pill form, in liquid form (cough syrups or illicitly mixed with alcohol), injected subcutaneously or intra-muscularly, or smoked as an additive to marijuana. Codeine can be found in many prescription medications and over the counter (OTC) painkiller medications, including:
Effects of Codeine on the Human Body
Codeine is a medicinal opioid and binds to receptors in the central nervous system that typically bind with the body's own physiological opioids such as endorphins and enkephalins. Codeine (and other opioids) is frequently abused because overuse of medicinal opioids provide effects beyond pain relief and create feelings of euphoria.
Long Term Effects of Codeine Use
As an individual continues to use codeine, the body develops a tolerance to its effects (including therapeutic benefits) and increasing amounts of codeine must be taken to produce the same effects. Furthermore, the brain slows or even stops endorphin production, resulting in acute pain without codeine use. Itching, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, constipation, liver damage and stomach ulcers may also occur.
Codeine Rehab and Detox Considerations
Convincing the codeine addict to enter treatment is the most important aspect of the entire treatment process as codeine addiction is a devastating problem for the addict and his or her loved ones. A drug detox program may be required, as long-term codeine use should not be discontinued immediately without consulting a physician. Codeine has many withdrawal symptoms including: headaches, muscle pain and spasms, stomach cramps, nausea, hypertension, fever and insomnia.
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