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.

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.