Codeine Addiction Treatment Center Washington
Codeine is a prescription opiate medication that is used to treat mild to moderate pain. It also helps reduce coughing when used in combination with other medications. Therefore, codeine is an ingredient in many cough and cold medicines. There is a common misconception that codeine is a safe drug. However, the truth is that while codeine is not as potent or as addictive as some of the other opioid drugs, rehab centers in Washington State are increasingly treating people with codeine addiction. Many people don’t know that codeine can be habit-forming and its abuse can lead to a need for codeine addiction treatment.
Discover Recovery is a leading codeine addiction treatment center in Washington. If you or a loved one needs residential treatment in Washington for codeine abuse, you can benefit from the holistic programs offered here. Read on to learn more about your options for the best addiction treatment Washington offers.
What is Codeine?
Codeine is a narcotic analgesic that belongs to the same class of drugs as heroin, morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone. Codeine acts on the central nervous system to relieve pain and reduce coughing. However, long-term use of codeine can lead to physical and psychological dependence and the need for codeine addiction treatment.
Due to its potential for abuse and addiction, codeine-containing cough syrups are often sold from behind pharmacy counters and are not available off-the-shelf. Nonetheless, people with codeine addiction can obtain the drug on the street from dealers who sell it under names such as 3Ts, schoolboys, and coties.
Individuals that are most likely to seek treatment for codeine addiction at rehab centers in Washington State include males (more than females), Hispanics and Native Americans, LGBT youth, and students in urban areas. This is mainly due to the popularity among these groups of “purple drank,” a combination of codeine-containing cough syrup and sodas or alcohol. The referencing of purple drank by some rappers and sports stars have made it a cultural phenomenon among young adults, fueling codeine addiction and the increasing need for addiction treatment in Washington.
Effects of Codeine
Obtaining codeine is easier than obtaining other opiate drugs like Oxycontin or heroin. Which is why it’s relatively easy to develop an addiction to codeine-based cough syrup.
People abuse codeine for its euphoric effects. The drug also produces relaxation, drowsiness, and a sense of apathy. Over time, users develop tolerance, meaning they need larger and more frequent doses of codeine to achieve the same effects. Ultimately, the person becomes dependent on codeine and requires residential treatment in Washington to get clean.
Discover Recovery is one of the best rehab centers in Washington State with a nationally accredited addiction treatment program for opioid drugs. The multiple levels of care offered at this top-rated residential treatment Washington facility ensure you make a strong start to recovery, no matter how severe your codeine addiction.
Dangers of Codeine Abuse and Addiction
Many people falsely believe that codeine is harmless. However, codeine is an opioid drug, and at high doses, it can lead to serious health complications, including respiratory failure, coma, and death. What’s more, if a person who is abusing codeine doesn’t seek addiction treatment in Washington promptly, they are at risk of overdose, especially when codeine is combined with central nervous system depressants like alcohol or other opioids.
Safe Use of Codeine
If you have been prescribed codeine for pain management or you are using codeine-based cough syrup, there are several things you can do to avoid developing a dependence on the drug. If you don’t want to end up needing codeine addiction treatment in the future, make sure that you:
- Take codeine exactly as prescribed. Do not take more. Do not take it more often. Do not take it in a manner different than directed by your physician.
- Tell your doctor about any history of substance abuse, both illegal drugs and overuse of prescription drugs, in yourself or your family. People who have previously received addiction treatment in Washington are at greater risk of overusing codeine.
- Give your doctor a complete medical history. Codeine can lead to potentially fatal breathing problems and is not recommended in people with medical conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.
- If you are taking codeine, be vigilant for symptoms like shallow or slowed breathing, long pauses between breaths, or shortness of breath (air hunger). If these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention.
- Codeine can interact with other medications and cause serious, potentially fatal side effects. Carefully tell your physician about all the other medications you are on.
- Do not drink or use illegal drugs while on codeine. Drinking alcohol or using street drugs along with codeine increases the risk of serious side effects.
When used as prescribed, codeine is a relatively safe drug. However, its misuse can quickly lead to addiction. If you or someone you love has developed a dependence on codeine, you could benefit from residential treatment in Washington.
Codeine Addiction Treatment
Codeine is a potentially deadly drug that can cause a host of health problems and lead to a tragic loss of life if it is misused or abused. Fortunately, there is a range of treatment options available at rehab centers in Washington State for codeine addiction.
At Discover Recovery, we offer a medical detox program to help you overcome the physical and psychological dependence on codeine. Following detox, you can enter our inpatient program which is administered by a team of highly experienced addiction medicine experts, board-certified physicians, and registered nurses. We offer a young adult program to address the needs of millennials seeking codeine rehab. After residential treatment at Washington’s best rehab, clients can benefit from Discover Recovery’s aftercare program with resources and support services for sustained recovery.
Best Opioid Addiction Treatment in Washington
Are you or a loved one in need of codeine addiction treatment? Get in touch with Discover Recovery today, one of the best rehab centers Washington State has to offer. Our nationally-accredited multidisciplinary program and a comprehensive and individualized treatment approach can give you the best chance of long-term abstinence from codeine abuse.