Day 2

Its been good so far I think, for me anyway. I have taken the 2 I took to work but 4 up to this point in the day is incredible. I went into a chemist for the 1st time in a very long time to just buy zinc and made it. I was waiting for the lady to reach for the solp as it's 1 of my regulars but she didn't.I have a slight headache and stomach cramp but nothing serious and I noticed I was more articulate at work. I hadn't really noticed before how the codeine dries your mouth out so your words stick. Will busy myself with the housework I think to keep my mind from wandering, and write up my journal.

Glad you had a good day at work, and are already feeling the benefits of cutting down. You sound very determined to do this, and have made an excellent start. The journal is a good idea - you can write down any negatives as well as positives so you have a record of how you're progressing. Good luck!

Going Well

Week going really well and please to say that I am down to 8 per day in total which use to be a morning dose alone.
2 solps left and no intention to buy more. Just the script meds from the Drs then and intend to go and see him and discuss my addiction.
Keeping my journal noted when at work as company at home..

x

Well done! and BIG hugs :hug:. Keep up the good work!!!

Love and Light

Well done from me, too! 🙂

Thanks

Thank you for your words of encouragement. It has really motivated me to carry on getting clean, I feel like the fog is clearing a little more every day.
x

Perseverance pays - well done!

still going

First night alone for a couple of weeks.Still managed to cut down but had a couple of shakey days and it made me realise I treat these pills as a crutch to deal with emotions and not pain.
I found it more difficult not being alone as I was not as in control of my emotions, Things have vastly improved though , it seems in all areas and I am determined to beat this addiction.

Good to hear from you, Bared!

You will have ups and downs, but you sound really determined. I'm sure the success you've had already will give you strength to confront any emotional problems you may have been avoiding - well done! 🙂

Good to be back again
.
Had a few problems logging in for a while so had to wait for a birthday e-mail to allow a link back in.

lots of new names but same old problem, those b****** SOLPS.

Keep on working hard at keeping off them and only good will come of it, believe me as a person who came through a few years ago.

Jackys you still about keeping the page alive & kicking?
Hope all well with you too?

Crazydave :

Thank goodness i found a forum that talks about codeine addiction , i've been feeling so lost and alone and pretty much helpless over the past 7 years . I'm Amy and i first became addicted to solpadeine plus when i was 12 in 2004 , obviously being so young i didn't realise i was addicted but i was taking 2 every four hours 24/7 , i wasn't quite sure why i felt the need to take them but whenever i did they gave me a relaxed , without a care in the world feeling and being an severe OCD and depression sufferer it gave me a content feeling i never got with anything else , even with my antidepressant i was on at the time, so after trashing my room looking for a tablet when i ran out my mom realised something was wrong but didn't know that you could get addicted to codeine so i basically went cold turkey , it was without a doubt hell , i got sweats and chills , i was so restless i wanted put my fist through a wall and i had permanent insomnia . Since then i have been struggling , i feel like my addiction is like a monster always creeping up behind me waiting to pounce when i'm weak , when i was 14 it started up again but i managed to fight it of but its always there and its dragging me down, the problem is noone i talk to believes i could still be suffering as they say codeine isn't a proper drug like cocaine or heroin , of course they won't listen to me when i say it is actually and opiut form . I feel so alone and i don't know what to do , i feel like i'm on the brink of becoming a full blown addict and if its not codeine its going to be something else and i'm scared of feeling like i can't control my addiction

Punkchick - please don't feel you can't do this because you can - I'm now on day 537 of giving up (yes I keep a log!) and I don't even think about taking them any more. I'm
Currently in bed with a horrendous headache but taking solpadeine is the last thing on my mind.

When I gave up I literally got through one hour at a time. Then 1 day at a time. Read the previous posts about symptoms - it really helped me to keep going. I know I'm an addict and I won't even take one lot because I did that before and before I knew it I was back on them. Good luck and I hope everyone else is doing well too.

Hello everyone. I am here not as an addict but as a daughter if an addict. My mam took several versions of codeine over my childhood and I only came to realise what she was doing a few years ago..even though she is still in denial about it and says my childhood was perfectly normal and she was not an addict despite sending me to buy her solpadeine in boxes of 60 every week because she knew through pharmacist would not sell them to her. I want to say how encouraging it is to see so many people and such an excellent forum of support for people suffering with addiction. I wish you all good health and strength to overcome your obstacles. X my mother and I do not speak now but I hope she comes across a site like this soon before the anger and addiction take over. Xx best of luck.

A couple of month ago my son went into the emergency room via ambulance because of an overdose of amphetamines, xanax, marijuana, and hydrocodone. He also admitted to using cocaine, which we found in his room. Then I sent him to [url]holistic addiction treatment[/url] clinic.

Update

Hey everyone

How are you all doing?
Sorry (again) about the lack of posts, just busy as usual.

Anyway, thought it best to come back on and let you know that it has been a bit of a crappy time with these white blighters.
A combination of bad back and an old neck injury meant i did fall back into the rut and keep taking them, however, i'm now starting from scratch again.

During this time, i've also been trying to sort out prickly heat that i get when abroad, so the solp situation was "overlooked" to a degree.
I know it's my fault, but i'm determined to sort this once and for all. (this is the start of day 2 off them - i.e. cold turkey)

To digress slightly, i'm also concerned that maybe these things could be contributing to the prickly heat as i started painkillers (on and off) about 11 years ago (roughly) and this is when i started to get the early signs of prickly heat.
I was even at the Dr's on Monday and told him i was taking solpadeine every day (over a long period) and he never even bothered about - but i know he's not worth listening too.
Anyway, that's for a different forum........

To anyone that's new to this forum, it can be done and i've done it before - but sadly slipped back to my old ways, so it's fully my fault.

By the way, keeping a log is the best way of giving yourself a pat on the back about this and it's what i did too.

Stay on the forum for help and support as this is where i got my inspiration.
All the best
🙂

FS

Urgently need help!

Hi all

I am Phil, 42 years old and to most people, seemingly a succesful family man. I am, however,
hopelessly addicted to cocodamol 30/500 and feeling very low. I try to come off, manage a few days , feel like death warmed up, then relapse.
This addiction is now blighting every aspect of my life and I have even considered taking my own life, I feel so worthless and dirty.
I am unable to share this problem with anyone as I feel they would be unsympathetic and do not fully understand the extent to which this has spiralled.
Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Phil

Hi Phil and welcome to Healthypages,

You've already done the hardest thing, and that is admitting you have an issue that needs to be sorted, so good on you for that.

The best thing you can do, in the first instance, is to go to your doctor and tell them you've got this addiction. They can then take the appropriate steps to help you get off them in a controlled manner, because as you've found, if you just try and stop something that is so addictive, it just makes you want to go back to it.

It sounds as though it's also making you depressed, which would explain why you believe that people will be unsympathetic. Be assured you're not the first to become addicted to such thing (just look at the rest of this thread) and you won't be the last. Your GP is there to help with such things, and whilst some GP's can come across a bit cold or harsh, they do have your best interests at heart... and they will be able to explore with you what is the best course of action.

And you're not alone, there are always people such as the great members of this forum, who are always willing to support and be there for you when you need to talk (though we do have to sleep every now and then :D).

So, get yourself down the doctors and ask for help, and keep us posted how you get on. It will be ok.

:hug:

Thanks for the reply, just been reading the various posts on this forum and feel very humbled. I will go to my GP, but will they traet my visit in confidence or share this with my wife, who has just lost her father and wouldn't be able or expected to help me through this?
I also want to say how ashamed I am for feeling so sorry for myself, it is really all my own fault and my mess.
Phil.

Hi all

I am Phil, 42 years old and to most people, seemingly a succesful family man. I am, however,
hopelessly addicted to cocodamol 30/500 and feeling very low. I try to come off, manage a few days , feel like death warmed up, then relapse.
This addiction is now blighting every aspect of my life and I have even considered taking my own life, I feel so worthless and dirty.
I am unable to share this problem with anyone as I feel they would be unsympathetic and do not fully understand the extent to which this has spiralled.
Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Phil

Energyls is spot on Phil, there is plenty help available. You have everything to live for its just that drugs can have that kind of effect on mind
1. Please don't keep judging yourself for this addiction.
2. Don't make it too big in your head, its solvable, Don't forget some get addicted to as common thing as food and balloon enormous sizes.. So forgive yourself and stay on track to getting beyond this glitch.
3. When you do get over it you will find that it helped you more than it harmed you.
4. Every challenge that threatens to drown you is actually a call for you to see how unsinkable you can be
5. Never under estimate human kindness and ability of others to reach out if you truly need and stay open to help. Your heartfelt cry for help triggers understanding and compassion around you. Do ask for it and it is given.
Blessings and good wishes to you and all around you. You are going to get over this, for sure!
love

Hi Phil - Welcome to Healthypages :wave:

This is a predicament to be in but definitely not the end of the world. I support all that Giles and Jnani have said. It is possible to get through this - and remember it is the drug that is addictive not your weakness! So often it is handed out like smarties and people have no idea of the consequences - the drug companies love it as it means they can sell lots of their nasty pills :eek:. Codeine is a derivative of morphine - one of the most addictive drugs available. There is absolutely no shame in getting 'hooked' - just shame on the drug companies who peddle it.

If your GP is not helpful, go and see another one or ask for a referral. There should be no reason to tell your wife, especially if you request them not to do so.

Meanwhile there are some lovely people here who will lend a non-judgemental ear and maybe even offer some advice.

Love, Light and Healing to you.

I would just add that acupuncture is very helpful to support coming off addicting substances. Find a properly qualified acupuncturist .

Another method is [url]Emotional Freedom Technique[/url] and see for someone who specialises in addictions.

Hi again Phil,

As you can see, you've got lots of support already. 🙂

I will go to my GP, but will they traet my visit in confidence or share this with my wife,

GP's are under a code of conduct that means they cannot share information about a patient with any other person, unless that patient is a minor and the other person is the parent or guardian. So, your GP shouldn't be telling your wife anything about you, even if she were to ask... though hopefully you will find the courage, in time, to talk to her yourself.

who has just lost her father and wouldn't be able or expected to help me through this?

You may be surprised at how strong the human spirit is. She may have a lot of things going on for her at the moment and she may be grieving, but she is your wife, and she no doubt cares about you just as much. It's entirely up to you whether you tell her, but I'm sure she would want to know if there's something you need support with, just as I'm sure you would want to know from her if she needed you for support. You'll find the right time to tell her I'm sure... it doesn't have to be straight away, just when you're ready.

I also want to say how ashamed I am for feeling so sorry for myself, it is really all my own fault and my mess.

Nothing to be ashamed about. As Caroline correctly points out, you've been given these drugs without the proper support and now you recognise that there's more to them than just helping with pain (I guess I was lucky, I had some for my kidney stone pain a few years back, but I restrained from taking any except on a couple of occasions when it was very painful, simply because I knew how addictive they can become... I could have easily got hooked on them as yourself and other people have). You can't be at fault for what drugs do, but you can be responsible for getting it sorted out... and for recognizing your issue and choosing to want to sort it out you can certainly be commended. :047:

So, let us know how it goes with the GP. 🙂

Hugs

Wow!
Thank you for giving me another perspective, it lifts the gloom of the situation somewhat and readjusts the mind to focus on what matters-getting free of these drugs.
I have an appointment tomorrow so we'll see what that brings and if necessary I will get another GP's opinion.
Thanks for the support, this is going to be hard, I know and I will steel myself for a lot of dark days to come but hopefully draw strength from here.
Again, enormous thanks, just to know such empathy exists is amazing.

Phil

Today is the day to face the demons head on ! Slightly scared and ashamed at having to admit this, but as others have said, it's the first step, albeit small.
Still on the meds at moment as I want to get advice on the best way to come off / taper and free myself of this addiction,
Here goes nothing.............

Phil

Today is the day to face the demons head on ! Slightly scared and ashamed at having to admit this, but as others have said, it's the first step, albeit small.
Still on the meds at moment as I want to get advice on the best way to come off / taper and free myself of this addiction,
Here goes nothing.............

Phil

let there be no shame, it is no crime to pop pills...best of luck!

Not too sure how that went to be honest. Feel shattered but relieved. Doctor suspects I have depression, of which I was unaware and has put me some more meds, Dosulepin, which I do not intend to take as I want to stop the crutch of pills altogether, not just replace one with another and Lomotil for the stomach problems that he feels are inevitable.
Phil

I'd say it probably went ok... I'm sure the doctor didn't dismiss you as if you were talking rubbish, or not care that you had come to them with a problem?

Ok, it was fairly clear from what you've posted above that there is an element of depression there, so not surpising that the doctor has picked up on that.

As for the pills... don't just dismiss them altogether. I can't comment on the pills you've been given, and the thing with antidepressants is that they work well for some people and for others maybe not so well, in which case a different antidepressant would be better. Of course, ensure you read all the information leaflet about them first, as typically AD's take a couple of weeks or more to really take effect and before that there can be noticable side effects (sometimes to the point you may think "why the hell am I taking these things").

It probably comes down to the 'lesser of two evils' thing. The AD's could work to help you gain a more positive perspective, in order that you can come off the Codeine with your mind intact (did the doctor suggest any possible support outlets for you, or ask you to come back regularly to monitor your progress?). If you did take the AD's and manage to come off the Codeine you'd then have to work with the doctor to come off the AD's as, even though they may not have the 'addictive' factor, they are often something that shouldn't just be stopped.

If you're not comfortable starting on the AD's or you feel you've not got enough information, or the doctor didn't quite listen to you or offer support etc. YOU CAN go back... and speak to the same doctor or ask to see another one.

Nobody said it would be an easy road, but it's one you have the choice to take because you've already decided you want to, and you can have support while you're doing it. It probably would help if you could confide in your wife (hell she's probably already noticed how much co-co you're taking but has been concerned about confronting you about it?) as I'm sure she would want to be helping you with this.

You certainly got the support of the people on this forum, though it would help you to have support in person too.

Take some time to digest what the doctor spoke about, read the information leaflets, even look up some 'facts' from the internet (be careful not to belief everything you read, because like the media, people love to relate their scare stories or misinformation about things). Also consider looking into some of those things Caroline mentioned above such as EFT or Hypnotherapy/NLP practitioners who have experience of dealing with addictions etc. Such therapies can work wonders.

Hugs

Giles

The doctor listened and suggested that I taper, starting from today . I told him that I respected his judgement but, that as someone who has tried this before unsuccesfully, I felt CT was the more probable route to gain success. He advised me then to get ready for some pretty nasty flu like and upset stonmach symptoms and to keep in touch should I find myself struggling . I havent had a Solpadol for 6 hrs and 54 minutes , which is a marvel for me as I was popping 20 plus some days. He also told me that my libido will improve gradually, that was one fact I was glad to hear. So all in all positivity reigns with me at the moment but I am also aware that this is a tiny step on the road, but at least it is a step in the right direction.
Just to have finally admitted this and thereby effectively cut off my supply route is greatly relieving as I have asked him to decline any further repeat prescription requests unless accompanied by a doctors appointment so hopefully temptation is now stemmed too, as they were issuing me 2 x 100 effervescent 30/500 tablets every 21 days.
Thanks to all on here for being there.

Phil

Well, that sounds good. He sounds like he's there to support you (you can always get an 'emergency appointment' if necessary, don't let the receptionists put you off).

If you're going cold-turkey, it certainly may be wise to tell your wife now... just so she can be prepared.

Well done.... that's stage 1 complete... 🙂

Hi Phil

Wishing you all the best. Not an easy route to take but maybe the best for you. If you need help, EFT as mentioned below, can make it a whole lot easier and you can be guided over the phone while you tap. Find a practitioner [DLMURL="http://www.aamet.org/search/search-aamet-members-test.html?task=advsearch2&search_id=8630"]here[/DLMURL] :hug:

Well done!