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Is my dad addicted to codeine?
My dad has been taking codeine for around 2-3 years. He first took it when he broke his collarbone and his doctor continues to prescribe it for him. I've read about people getting addicted to prescription medication and I'm just wondering if it's possible for my dad to have become addicted to the codeine?
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I agree with the others... please watch out... the doctor should not keep feeding him this.. it will not help him whatsoever.. 2-3 years.. I think he is addicted to it.. why would someone be giving it to him for so long? it does not seem right at all... watch out before it gets worse.
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I agree with Never2beAlone. I too blame the doctor who should be aware that he is feeding your fathers addiction and should be working to cure his addiction.
Unfortunately your father will not help himself until he is ready to ask help . Like anyone who is dependant on something that usually means they have to hit bottom and everyone's bottom is different.
There may be a light at the end of this tunnel. Many states, hopefully yours is one of them, are joining a federally funded program to monitor prescriptions for class I and Class II prescriptions. Codeine Prescriptions are a mostly class II prescription. Should your fathers prescription trip the monitoring program the program will contact his doctor as to why he is being prescribed this drug for this long a period.
I'm not sure as to where or how things proceed form there but it can end with your father being given assistance in getting off his dependence for codeine.
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Unfortunately he is addicted to it without a doubt. The problem with this particular addiction is that it is not just a mental addiction but physical. If he were to just stop taking them he would get very ill. The pain he will suffer is equal to that of having the worst flu you can imagine. If he were to stop taking the pills cold turkey he could possible die. So, it is important that he seek medical attention and asap. However, until he realizes he has a problem and wants to change it there is nothing you or anyone else can say or do to change the problem. Although your father is an adult and ultimately responsible for hiself I blame the doctor who is continuously prescribing the medication. The doctor should know that a broken collarbone doesn't warrent narcotics for years but more like a couple of days. I am so sorry your father is going through this because I am sure he had no idea what path he was headed down. Please encourage your father to seek help. He can get past this with your love and support.
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He's almost definitely addicted to it at this point. I don't want to say codeine is "highly addictive" or anything like that... it can be legitimately helpful. But it also causes dependence; it's an opiate, the same way heroin is.
Your dad is probably addicted to it after so many years of use, and him getting off of it (or switching his painkiller) depends on whether he still feels pain in his collarbone and needs a painkiller. If it's strictly an addiction/physical dependence and he wants to get off of it, he'll probably have to go to rehab. He will then probably crave it for months afterwards and he will most likely relapse. A tough road ahead.
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