Are you trying to figure out everything there is to know about addiction and codeine? Transcend Recovery Community is here to give you the lowdown on all the relevant information about the drug and what you should know about withdrawal, treatment, and detection times, most especially in the system through various drug testing methods.
Continue reading to find out more.
How Long Does Codeine Last in the Body and by Type of Drug Tests?
Detecting codeine in an individual may be challenging. That's why drug test methods like a urine test and a hair follicle test come to play in helping detect codeine and its traces in the system. Drug tests are also crucial in the entire addiction treatment process.
Codeine in Urine Tests
A urine exam may detect codeine in about 1 to 3 days after the last dose.
Codeine in Hair Follicle Tests
As with most drugs, a hair follicle exam can detect how long codeine is staying in the hair follicle for up to 3 months.
Codeine in Saliva Tests
An oral/saliva test may still detect traces of Codeine for up to 4 days after use.
Codeine Detection in Blood Tests
The window period for blood tests for Codeine only lasts for 24 hours since the latest dosage.
What is Codeine?
Codeine is considered an opioid analgesic under the opioid family used to treat minor pain. It works by depressing the central nervous system to promote pain relief. While it may help relieve pain, it also has side effects, such as:
- gastrointestinal pain
- urination problems
- headache
- heartbeat changes
- rashes
- itching
- vision changes
- seizures
When someone starts to take more codeine than intended, this addictive drug develops into a full-blown addiction. Long-term users may take these in high doses.
A codeine overdose may include the following symptoms:
- Shallow breathing
- Cold and clammy skin
- Fainting
- Slow heartbeat
Studies show that Codeine use has been attributed to life-threatening respiratory depression and death in children. Therefore, it must be prescribed and taken under strict medical supervision.
Codeine's half-life can be classified as:
- Short - 2 to 4 hours
- Final - 9 to 11 hours
Determining Factors on How Long Codeine Stays in Your System
People who have long suffered physical dependence on Codeine and other drugs may not know it, but detoxification may be harder than it seems. There are various reasons attributed to these.
Some of the factors may include behavioral health conditions alongside physical factors that may influence how long codeine stays in the system. Let's look more closely at what those are with a few factors you have to watch out for.
- Age - Younger people who have better-functioning organs and a stronger immune system may flush away Codeine better than older people aged 65 and above.
- Kidney and liver function - People who have poor renal and hepatic health may suffer the consequences of their drug abuse and have a longer time processing chemicals or substances inside their bodies.
- Pre-existing medical/health concerns - People with mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, and other comorbidities will understandably have lesser effectiveness in processing or overcoming substance abuse brought about by their general codeine use.
- Codeine half-life - This determines how long your body can get rid of half of the Codeine drug after the last dose.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Codeine?
Similar to an addictive drug like Clonazepam, once you stop your Codeine addiction, you would feel various withdrawal symptoms that may affect your body in many ways. Some may experience mild Codeine withdrawal. However, others might feel otherwise.
You may first feel the signs of Codeine withdrawal during the initial 24 hours of your last dose. Sometimes, it may take up to 4 days with its peak on the 5th day. During this time, you may feel the worst possible symptoms of your withdrawal.
But what do people usually feel when they withdraw from their Codeine addiction? Here are some of the symptoms:
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Runny nose
- Drowsiness
- weak pulse/weakness
- muscle aches
Your body may later feel other sensations as your withdrawal progresses. They may include:
- Nausea/vomiting
- diarrhea
- chills
- stomach cramps
If withdrawal symptoms continue and worsen, it's best to consult licensed medical professionals to get the appropriate treatment right away.
About Codeine Misuse and Addiction Treatment
Recognizing if someone is indeed experiencing "long" Codeine abuse is key to helping someone get better the soonest time possible. There are warning signs that you should watch out for if you suspect that someone close to you might be engaging in codeine abuse.
- Sleepiness
- Impaired focus and judgment
- Poor coordination
- Apathetic demeanor
- Slurred speech
- Poor attention span
- Dilated pupils
Continued substance use may lead to an eventual Codeine overdose. Therefore, addressing an ongoing substance use disorder should be done right away with professional medical advice.
Here are some of the treatment options you may consider with codeine addiction.
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Individualized Intensive Program (IIP)
- Group/on-on-one therapy
- Dialectical-behavior therapy
- Sober living arrangements
Sometimes, a recovery specialist may recommend a patient to reside in a halfway house, as this may help them recover better from their mental health disorder brought about by drug use. If this is something you would like to consider, talk to your healthcare provider to further discuss this option.
How To Get Help from Codeine Addiction?
Addiction treatment may seem like an impossible or difficult option for people with substance use disorder. But given the conveniences that advanced recovery systems have provided us, reaching out is now easier than ever.
You can choose from various locations around the country, whether you're located in New York, Los Angeles, or even Houston. Once a thorough examination and diagnosis are done, a recovery specialist will recommend the best option for your recovery journey.
Contact us to find out more and to help you or your loved one start on that first step.
