From Prescription Codeine to Nurofen Plus Addiction: “I Finally Have My Life Back”

This story is shared with the full consent of the writer. It has only been edited to correct spelling and grammar and to remove any details that could identify the person involved. The story itself remains as close as possible to the writer’s original words and experience.

So here goes…

I was diagnosed with SPD during late pregnancy, which meant that my body was producing too much of a hormone called relaxin and my pelvis was splitting. I was on crutches and in absolute agony. Doctors prescribed me co-codamol to ease the pain.

After giving birth, it took a long time for my pelvis to get back to normal, so my GP put 30 mg codeine on repeat prescription. I was also diagnosed with postnatal depression and quickly realised that when I got that “buzz”, everything felt better. So, like everyone else in this situation, I was constantly upping my dose to get that effect.

I quickly ended up running out of the prescription codeine, so I self-medicated with Nurofen Plus in between. I thought I was in control and could stop at any time, but I just “needed” it to get through this rough patch. Well, this rough patch turned into three years of utter hell.

I asked for help from my GP, who decided to prescribe me 15 mg tablets along with the 30 mg tablets to try to wean me off. But this just gave me access to more. It got to a point where they stopped my prescription because I told them it was under control. Spoiler alert: it was not under control.

I ended up getting through three boxes of Nurofen Plus a day to fend off the withdrawals and hit that buzz. My life was taken up by touring multiple pharmacies in the area so I would not be caught buying them daily. It was costing me not only a fortune but also my life. I was miserable, irritable, ill and exhausted.

I was eventually admitted to hospital for something unrelated and was getting my partner to smuggle Nurofen Plus in for me while they begged me to get help. I think one of the nurses on duty caught on to what I was doing as she asked me if I ever took ibuprofen and codeine. I lied, of course, but eventually broke down and told her everything.

I was put in touch with my local addiction service and they prescribed a medication called buprenorphine. It is a substitute opioid that stops withdrawal symptoms without that euphoric feeling. I am still on that medication to this day and some people might say that I am “not clean”, which technically may be true. But I have been free from Nurofen Plus for five years and I am bloody proud of that.

I want to share my story to try to fight the stigma of addiction. Addiction does not discriminate and it can happen to anyone. A big part of my fear of getting help was that social services would be involved because I am a parent. But I beg people not to let that get in the way of seeking help.

A health professional involved in my care was notified and confirmed that there were no concerns about the safety of my child, who was healthy and well cared for. These services are there to support you, not judge you. It is okay to need help.

Every week, as I wait for my prescription, there is at least one person buying a codeine medication. It scares me that so many people could be in the position I was in but are too scared to get help. Only a handful of people in my life know my story because I still fear judgement from those who do not understand.

I hope that by sharing my story, I am able to help someone. If even one person reaches out for help, it is worth it.

I finally have my life back. It has taken five years of hard work and a lot of therapy, but the old me is slowly creeping back. I have an amazing family who have given me a reason to live. I doubt I would be here now telling this story if I had not reached out.

I am very lucky not to have been left with lifelong effects from the drugs, but that would not have been the case if I had not got help.

Keep fighting the good fight.