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Addiction to Drugs/stopping taking codeine

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Expert: Caroline West - 2/11/2009


Question
my 41 year old son is addicted to codeine (nurofen plus or sophadine max)ihave helped him reduce but he keeps relapsing (maybe 12or more per day ),he works long hours and hasnt got time to attend centres. can you advise on anything else we can do as he does want to stop.he knows ive contacted you.he may be taking more at times but he cant seem to stop comp;etely.what can you suggest.it doesnt affect his work . can you help   regards   ann

Answer
Hi Ann. The key to coming off meds such as over the counter codeine pills is to reduce the amount very slowly. As this applies to hard drugs it too applies to these meds as well. The best thing for him to do is reduce the amount he is taking by even as slow as 1 per week. I know doing it this way will take a while but its the most effective way of stopping and it should be discomfort free and prevent further relapses.

If he wants to do it a little faster then reduce 1 pill every 3-4 days. This really is the best way to do it. Patience and perseverance and then success. So he must do it slowly.

I wish him all the best and if he reduces the way I've mentioned he will be ok. Anything further you want to ask then feel free to write in again and your son too if he wants to. Good luck, Caroline.

Addiction to Drugs

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Caroline West

Expertise

My expertise in this area is in illicit/street drugs as well as some over the counter and prescription drugs/meds. I can answer questions about most illicit drugs and prescription drugs. I can offer advice on Opiate maintenance drugs like Methadone, Subutex and Suboxone,and the process of going through a Detox and/or Rehab. I understand the problems Drug use can cause regarding convictions and debt problems. There is a difference between recreational drug use and drug addiction and can answer questions on both. Relationship advice if you or your partner is using and can offer help there too. Drug addiction is no joke and it can shatter the lives of the family as well as the user so I can also offer help and advice to friends and family. Drug dependency creates a great deal of issues both mentally and physically and left untreated can lead to poor Mental Health, Psychological and Physical harm and worse. Life can become unmanageable in many ways including work and schooling alongside breakdowns in relationships,risk of convictions and a reduction in personal care. I can offer advice and support in all these areas having been in them and now out of them.

Experience

I have had multiple drug addictions in the past that have included Cannabis,Heroin,Crack,Benzo's,Codeine and over the counter tablets as well as prescription medicines and taken near enough everything. It caused a great deal of problems in my family and I also had suffered breakdowns,Hospitalizations,suicide attempts,convictions the lot. I had been in a 7 year drug using relationship which was tough. I've come out the other end now and haven't used illicit drugs for 5 years. I really do understand what it is like for the user and those around them.

Organizations
I am in 4 other categories here at All Experts: Abusive Relationships; Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT which can simultaneously help those with BPD and with Drug/Alcohol Problems; and Teenage Problems. I also belong to Care2.com which helps various causes all over the world.

Education/Credentials
I have schooling up to A-Level standard,College Diplomas and what I offer here is valuable 'life experience'.

Past/Present Clients
I have done this voluntary job here at All Experts for about 3 years now.

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