Codeine is a relatively mild opioid, especially when compared to some of the illicit drugs that are driving the opioid epidemic. However, an opioid’s danger is in its addiction potential and the fact that abuse can lead to the use of more potent substances. Codeine does have a potential to cause a fatal overdose. As the drug metabolizes in your system, it turns to morphine, and excessive amounts can lead to respiratory depression, which means your breathing slows down or stops, causing hypoxia, brain damage, coma, or death. It’s more likely for codeine abuse to lead to an overdose if you mix it with other opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol. Together, these substances increase their respiratory depressing effects. Like other prescription opioid, abuse has the potential to lead to illicit drug use. Around 75 percent of people who entered treatment for a heroin addiction started with prescription opioids. Prescription pills are difficult to abuse because they are more expensive and more difficult to obtain than other options. On the other hand, illicit opioids like heroin come with inherent dangers. Users often contract infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Plus, illegal heroin can contain other contaminants. Dealers will add substances to drug supplies to stretch profits. To increase the power of diluted heroin, dealers may also add fentanyl, a more powerful opioid that can give people the impression of purer heroin. However, fentanyl can be up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Users who think they are taking standard heroin can overdose on the much more potent opioid.
An estimated 1.7 million people aged 12 or older had a pain reliever use disorder in 2018.
About 130 people have died from an opioid overdose.
An estimated 2.0 million people aged 12 or older had an opioid use disorder in 2018.
Addiction is a serious disease that can lead to a variety of serious consequences, especially when it involves an opioid like codeine. If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder that involves codeine, learn more about addiction and how it can be treated by speaking to a specialist at Serenity at Summit. Call 844-432-0416 to hear more about your addiction therapy options.