Over 50 million people live with chronic pain in the United States.
Chronic pain is not just physically debilitating; it’s mentally exhausting, too. To ease pain and discomfort, many individuals reach out to their doctors for help and are subsequently led toward opioids.
Research from the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that 1 in 20 adults in the U.S. experience co-occurring chronic pain and anxiety or depression. While there are many ways to treat chronic pain, opioids like codeine are some of the most common. Unfortunately, this can lead to additional problems, such as opioid-induced hyperalgesia, increased tolerance and dependence, and a heightened risk of codeine overdose.
As one of the most trusted recovery centers in Yavapai County, Wolf Creek Recovery offers treatment services for opioid use disorders (OUDs). While codeine receives less attention than other opioids like fentanyl or heroin, it still carries many risks. If codeine is causing problems in your life, help is available to turn things around and avoid the dangers of overdose and OUD.
What Is a Codeine Overdose?
A codeine overdose occurs when someone consumes more codeine than their body can safely process, leading to potentially life-threatening symptoms. This can occur from accidental misuse, intentional misuse, or drug interactions. For example, some people overestimate a safe dose, especially if they are self-medicating. Mixing codeine with other central nervous system depressants can also intensify its effects and increase the risk of overdose. Understanding the risks, signs, and treatment options for codeine overdose is essential, as quick intervention can save lives.
Early Warning Signs of a Potential Codeine Overdose
Recognizing the early warning signs of a potential codeine overdose can enable timely intervention. Because codeine is an opioid, it can cause drowsiness and fatigue. However, an overdose is much more than this, affecting the central nervous system, respiratory system, and other bodily functions. If you notice extreme drowsiness, confusion, or slowed breathing after taking codeine, it’s important to take quick action by calling emergency services.
Signs and Symptoms of Codeine Overdose
- Extreme drowsiness and sedation
- Mental disorientation and confusion
- Slow, shallow, or labored breathing
- Blue lips or fingernails
- Pale, ashen appearance
- Tiny, fixed pupils and blurred vision
- Persistent nausea or repeated vomiting
- Feeling faint or losing balance
- Slow, weak pulse and cool, clammy skin
- Slurred speech, drooping eyelids, and impaired movement
Dangers of an Overdose
A codeine overdose affects multiple systems in the body, particularly the central nervous system and respiratory systems. This is why quick intervention is crucial. Understanding the risks associated with a codeine overdose can highlight the importance of safe use and prevent fatal outcomes.
One of the most serious risks of codeine overdose is respiratory depression, where breathing slows down to dangerously low levels. As breathing slows, the body receives less oxygen, which can affect vital organs like the brain and heart. In severe cases, breathing can stop altogether, leading to respiratory arrest. Sadly, this can happen quietly as the person lies down to sleep.
Other dangers to be aware of include loss of consciousness, cardiac complications, aspiration pneumonia, brain damage, and seizures. Fortunately, many of these complications can be avoided if the symptoms of overdose are recognized right away and help is alerted. It is also possible to develop increased tolerance and dependence on codeine, which can lead to opioid use disorder (OUD).
In the Event of an Overdose
A codeine overdose is a medical emergency that can quickly become life-threatening. If you suspect that someone is experiencing an overdose, dial 911 immediately. Let the dispatcher know what symptoms you are observing and follow their instructions on what to do next.
If you have naloxone on hand, administer it now. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that temporarily reverses opioid effects. Keep the person awake and alert, if possible, and monitor their breathing and heart rate. If the person is unconscious but still breathing, place them in the recovery position and stay with them until help arrives.
While codeine overdose can be reversed if naloxone is given at the right time, it is not a treatment for OUD. If you or a loved one is experiencing codeine dependence, codeine addiction rehab will provide you with the tools and skills needed to overcome this problem and rebuild your life.
Who Is at Risk of a Codeine Overdose?
While a codeine overdose can occur in anyone who misuses the medication, certain groups are at a higher risk than others. If you or someone you know falls into a high-risk group, it’s important to take the proper precautions to avoid codeine overdose. This includes taking the medication only as prescribed, avoiding mixing codeine with other sedatives, and being aware of potential drug interactions. It’s also important to store codeine safely and out of reach of children or others who may misuse it, and keep naloxone on hand to reverse an overdose.
Risk Factors for Codeine Overdose
Some of the factors that can raise the risk for overdose are:
- Increasing opioid tolerance or dependence
- Being of older age
- Underlying respiratory conditions
- Taking other sedative medications
- Mental health disorders
- Liver or kidney impairment
- Using codeine recreationally
Treatment Options for Codeine Dependence in Prescott, AZ
“Codeine addiction” requires a comprehensive approach to treatment that addresses both physical dependence and psychological factors. With the right combination of treatments, you can recover and regain control of your life. The first step in the journey is detox, which is where codeine is removed from the body in a safe, controlled manner. Medical professionals can monitor withdrawal symptoms and provide medications to ease discomfort.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat codeine dependence effectively. Specifically, MAT helps manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, making it easier to participate in therapy. Individual and group therapy, peer support, holistic and complementary therapies, and relapse prevention strategies should also be included in a well-rounded recovery plan. Ultimately, all of these treatments and therapies help you build the resilience and life skills needed to maintain long-term recovery.
Wolf Creek Recovery provides evidence-based treatments and alternative therapies to individuals looking to change their lives. Substance use and mental health disorders are treatable conditions, and with the right support, you can overcome them and regain control over your life. Aside from therapy and other interventions, our clients also get to spend time outdoors with their peers, developing healthy hobbies and coping skills. To start your path to recovery, contact Wolf Creek Recovery at 833-732-8202. Build a life you love.
FAQs About Codeine Overdose
What is codeine overdose?
Codeine overdose occurs when a person ingests more codeine than the body can safely handle. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent the body’s systems from shutting down.
What are the signs and symptoms of overdose?
The main symptoms of codeine overdose are excessive sleepiness, pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, mental disorientation, blue lips or fingernails, nausea or vomiting, and slurred speech.
Can you use naloxone to reverse codeine overdose?
Yes, you can use naloxone to reverse any opioid overdose, including codeine overdose. However, it’s important to know that naloxone must be administered early, and a second dose may be required, as it can wear off before the codeine does.
Who is most at risk for codeine overdose?
Anyone who misuses codeine is at a heightened risk for overdose. This is why it’s important to take the medication exactly as prescribed. Older adults, individuals with respiratory conditions, and those with impaired liver or kidney functioning are also at an increased risk. Taking other sedatives is also a concern, as this could cause the body’s systems to slow to dangerous levels.
