Codeine Withdrawals: What to Expect and What Helped Me

Codeine withdrawals can be rough. There is no point pretending otherwise. But I honestly believe they become more manageable when you understand what might be coming and remind yourself that what you are feeling is temporary.

When I was going through codeine withdrawal, there were moments when it felt as though my body and mind were working against me. I was uncomfortable, exhausted and desperate for relief. When you are in the middle of it, even a few hours can feel endless.

Knowing that these symptoms were part of withdrawal did not remove them. But it helped me understand what was happening. I was not permanently broken. My body was trying to adjust after becoming used to codeine.

Restless legs were the worst withdrawal symptom for me

The worst symptom for me was restless legs.

It was not just a little discomfort or the occasional urge to move. It was constant. My legs would not settle and it became particularly bad at night. I could be physically exhausted but still feel unable to lie still.

That made sleeping extremely difficult. I would lie there trying to fight the feeling but the more I focused on it, the worse it seemed to become.

The only thing that gave me any relief was walking. Sometimes I would get out of bed and walk around the room. Other times I would walk up and down the hallway. It did not completely remove the feeling but moving helped me more than lying there becoming increasingly frustrated.

Gentle movement may help some people but everyone’s withdrawal experience is different. It is also worth speaking to your GP about any severe or persistent symptoms rather than trying to manage everything alone.

Sleep can become difficult

Sleep can be all over the place during codeine withdrawal.

You may feel completely drained throughout the day but still struggle to switch off at night. You might fall asleep and then wake repeatedly. You may also feel anxious about going to bed because you already expect another difficult night.

Lack of sleep can make everything else feel worse. It can affect your mood, increase anxiety and make physical symptoms harder to tolerate.

What helped me was accepting that my sleep would not immediately return to normal. Fighting it and becoming angry about every sleepless night only added another layer of stress.

I had to keep reminding myself that it was temporary. My body needed time to settle and relearn how to sleep without codeine.

Flu-like symptoms and physical discomfort

Codeine withdrawal can feel similar to having a bad dose of the flu.

You might experience sweating, chills, hot and cold spells, aching muscles and a general feeling of being unwell. You can feel drained of energy and even simple tasks may seem difficult.

Some people also experience stomach problems such as nausea, cramps, diarrhoea or a reduced appetite.

At times it can feel like your body is screaming for codeine. Taking codeine may seem like the obvious way to make the discomfort disappear. That is one of the reasons withdrawal can be so difficult.

But the discomfort does not mean your body needs codeine to function normally forever. It means your body has become accustomed to having an opioid in its system and is now trying to adjust without it.

That adjustment can be unpleasant but it does pass.

The mental side of codeine withdrawal

The psychological symptoms can be every bit as difficult as the physical ones.

You may experience anxiety, low mood, irritability or a feeling of complete emotional exhaustion. Small problems can suddenly feel enormous. You may feel overwhelmed or convinced that you will never feel normal again.

That feeling can be frightening.

Withdrawal can also make your thoughts extremely short-term. Instead of thinking about why you wanted to stop, your mind focuses entirely on ending the discomfort in that particular moment.

This is where support becomes so important. When your own thinking is being affected by withdrawal, another person can remind you why you started and reassure you that what you are experiencing will not last forever.

What helped me through codeine withdrawal

There was no single thing that removed my withdrawal symptoms. It was more about doing several small things that made the experience slightly more manageable.

Keeping hydrated was important, particularly when I was sweating or having stomach problems. I tried to eat what I could even when I had very little appetite.

Fresh air and gentle movement helped too. Walking was particularly useful for my restless legs but it also gave me something to focus on when I felt trapped inside my own head.

I also learned that isolating myself made everything feel heavier. Addiction thrives in secrecy and withdrawal can convince you to shut everyone out. Having someone who knows what is happening can make a huge difference.

Support might come from your GP, an addiction counsellor, a recovery group or someone you trust. The important thing is that you are not trying to carry the whole experience by yourself.

Speak to your GP before stopping codeine

Anyone taking codeine regularly should consider speaking to their GP before making major changes.

Depending on how much you are taking, how long you have been taking it and what other medicines or substances are involved, your GP may recommend reducing the dose gradually rather than stopping suddenly.

There is no shame in asking for medical help. Codeine dependence is real even when the tablets were originally prescribed or bought legally from a pharmacy.

You should also be honest about exactly what you are taking. This includes the number of tablets, their strength and whether they contain other ingredients such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. These additional ingredients can cause serious harm when taken in excessive amounts.

Do not take someone else’s medication or try to treat withdrawal symptoms with alcohol, sedatives or other drugs. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about what is safe for you.

Seek urgent medical assistance if you are seriously unwell, cannot keep fluids down, become confused, have difficulty breathing, experience a seizure or believe you may have taken a dangerous amount of medication.

Withdrawal does not last forever

When you are in withdrawal, it can feel like it will never end.

Your mind may tell you that taking codeine is the only way to feel normal again. But that feeling is part of the process. It is not proof that recovery is impossible.

The symptoms are temporary. Recovery gives you the opportunity to build a life that is no longer controlled by tablets, pharmacy visits, withdrawal fears and the constant need to make sure you have enough codeine.

Sometimes knowing what may happen makes the experience a little less frightening when it arrives. You can recognise the symptoms for what they are rather than believing something has gone permanently wrong.

Codeine withdrawals can be difficult. But they pass.

Recovery is worth going through them for.