Codeine addiction is not just about taking tablets. For me, it became planning, lying, acting, rotating pharmacies and living with constant shame. This is the part people often do not see.

This anonymous story shares how dihydrocodeine addiction began through pain relief, escalated during emotional stress and eventually led to dangerous online buying, severe withdrawals and a moment where asking for help became life-saving.

Codeine withdrawals can be physically and mentally exhausting. I share what they felt like for me, why restless legs were the worst symptom and what helped me get through them.

After being prescribed dihydrocodeine for severe ankle pain, one person’s life gradually became consumed by opioid dependence, Nurofen Plus and repeated attempts at rehabilitation.

What began with prescribed co-codamol during pregnancy developed into three years of codeine and Nurofen Plus addiction. This anonymous story explains how reaching out for professional help allowed one parent to reclaim their life.

For 20 years, Nurofen Plus provided a brief escape. The addiction eventually led to seizures, multiple organ failure and ten days on life support.

My body was giving me serious warning signs but I continued taking 72 Nurofen Plus tablets every day. This is what codeine addiction did to my health and why asking for help cannot wait.

I was scared my doctor would judge me for my codeine addiction. What actually happened was very different and my only regret is not telling him sooner.

This anonymous story shows how codeine addiction can begin through prescribed pain relief and slowly take over someone’s life. Shared with permission as part of Codeine Stories.

A personal response to a recent Irish codeine warning and why codeine addiction needs to be taken more seriously in Ireland.