Codeine Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, and Detox Treatment

Codeine is a prescription opioid medication that is used to manage pain and suppress cough. While it has valuable medical uses, it also has the potential for abuse and addiction. Like other opioids, taking codeine for extended periods of time can lead to physical dependence and opioid use disorder (OUD).

When you become dependent on codeine, you will experience physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it or decrease the amount you take. Codeine withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, but it can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. The severity and duration of the codeine withdrawal timeline can vary from one person to the next based on the extent of use and other factors.

Because of how unpleasant codeine withdrawal can be, it is important to detox under medical supervision. If you or a loved one are struggling with codeine dependence and addiction, our opioid detox program at ARISE Treatment Center can help you start your recovery journey. Speak with an admissions counselor today to learn more about our detox programs.

Understanding Codeine Withdrawal

Codeine is an opioid drug, meaning it binds to and activates mu-opioid receptors in the brain and body. This activation causes symptoms of pain relief and central nervous system (CNS) depression. To compensate for CNS depression, the body works overtime, keeping the heart pumping and blood flowing.

However, after regular codeine use, the body will anticipate your next dose and automatically perform as if there is codeine in the system. If you don’t take any codeine or another opioid, your body will remain in this overactive, heightened state, resulting in symptoms of withdrawal.

Symptoms of codeine withdrawal include:

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Agitation
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Runny nose
  • Watery eyes
  • Excessive sweating
  • Yawning
  • Goosebumps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • Tremors
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Drug cravings

It’s important to note that the severity and duration of codeine withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. It’s recommended to seek medical guidance and support when discontinuing codeine or any other opioid medication to manage the detoxification process effectively and safely.

How Long Does Codeine Withdrawal Last?

Codeine is a short-acting opioid drug. Its effects only last around 4-6 hours, and withdrawal symptoms can appear shortly after the effects wear off. As a result, codeine withdrawal may begin as early as 8 hours after your last dose. In some people, it can take up to 24 hours for symptoms to appear. Symptoms usually peak 48-72 hours after your last dose, then subside within two weeks.

There are many factors that can affect the severity and duration of the codeine withdrawal timeline, such as:

  • Age
  • Height and weight
  • Metabolism
  • Kidney and liver function
  • Length of use
  • Dose taken
  • Frequency of use
  • Polysubstance abuse

People who have been addicted to codeine for longer periods of time, take the drug in higher doses, or take it more frequently will have more severe and longer-lasting symptoms of withdrawal than people who have only been using it for a few weeks or months. Physical withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and is best managed with the help and support of an opioid detox center.

Codeine Withdrawal Timeline

An approximate timeline for codeine withdrawal is as follows:

8-24 Hours: Symptom Onset

Codeine withdrawal usually begins 8-24 hours after your last dose. Early symptoms may mimic allergies or the flu. You may experience watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, muscle aches, anxiety, and cravings.

48-72 Hours: Peak Withdrawal

Symptoms will be at their worst 48-72 hours after your last dose. You may experience extreme body pain and discomfort, flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal upset, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and intense drug cravings.

4-7 Days: Symptoms Start to Lessen

Symptoms will start to subside 4-7 days after your last dose. Symptoms may change and fluctuate in severity during this time. People with mild opioid use disorder may experience complete symptom relief.

Within 2 Weeks: Symptoms Subside

Codeine withdrawal rarely lasts longer than two weeks. Most people report that their symptoms subside completely sometime between 1-2 weeks after their last dose. However, people with a severe opioid use disorder may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).

PAWS is a condition where mild withdrawal symptoms persist for longer than two weeks and up to one year. PAWS can usually be managed with medications, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes.

How to Detox From Codeine Safely

Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, but severe complications such as dehydration, relapse, and overdose can occur. Codeine withdrawal can be so uncomfortable that it can feel impossible to stay sober on your own. Due to how severe codeine withdrawal can be, it’s important to seek help from a drug detox center.

Detox centers can prescribe medications like methadone (a full opioid agonist) or buprenorphine (a partial opioid agonist) to bind to and activate opioid receptors to effectively reduce withdrawal symptoms and alleviate drug cravings.

In addition to medications, detox centers can closely monitor your symptoms and intervene in the event of an emergency. For example, if gastrointestinal distress becomes so severe that you end up dehydrated, they can administer IV fluids to prevent organ damage, seizures, and other complications. Additional symptom-specific medications can be prescribed to further alleviate symptoms, such as clonidine for high blood pressure.

Once your symptoms subside, a staff member can help you arrange a plan for continued treatment. Treatment will address the root causes of your addiction so you can manage triggers, cope in healthy ways, and avoid returning to codeine use in the future.

Find Help for Codeine Abuse and Addiction Today

Whether you got addicted to codeine after taking it for pain or you started using it for personal pleasure, our compassionate team understands what addiction is like and what is needed for recovery. When you make the first step to undergo treatment at our California opioid detox center, you trust that the program you enter employs detox methods that are effective, proven to work, and above all safe.

ARISE Treatment Center’s opioid detox program in Vista, California provides a complete medically-supervised approach to opioid withdrawal and recovery. Rather than trying to beat opioid addiction on your own, let the professionals at ARISE Addiction Treatment Center help you. Call now to get started.

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