Nurofen Plus Addiction: My Body Was Begging Me to Stop

My body was trying to stop me from swallowing 72 Nurofen Plus tablets every day.

That might sound dramatic but it is the truth. There were times when my body would almost shudder as I forced the tablets down my throat. It was as though my body understood what was happening long before my brain was ready to accept it.

My body was begging me to stop.

My Body Was Breaking Down

My stomach was in bits. I was vomiting blood regularly and eventually developed two stomach ulcers. I was exhausted all the time and constantly freezing cold. I experienced brutal stomach cramps, constipation and a complete lack of energy.

My blood results showed just how much damage was being done. My body was being pushed dangerously close to breaking point.

These were not small warning signs that I could dismiss or pretend were normal. My body was screaming at me every single day.

But I still could not stop taking the tablets.

I Knew the Tablets Were Killing Me

This is something people need to understand about addiction. It is not always that the person does not recognise the danger.

I knew exactly what was happening.

I knew taking 72 Nurofen Plus tablets every day was destroying my body. I knew I was potentially killing myself. I knew it was no longer about treating pain and I knew that no part of what I was doing was normal.

Despite knowing all of that, the grip codeine had on me was stronger than my fear of the consequences.

That is the terrifying reality of addiction. Knowledge alone is not always enough to make someone stop.

Chasing a Feeling and Avoiding Withdrawal

Half of the time I was chasing the subtle euphoric feeling that codeine gave me. The rest of the time I was simply trying to prevent withdrawal symptoms from starting.

That is how codeine and other opioids can trap you.

Your body gradually adapts to the drug and begins to expect it. Before long you may no longer be taking codeine only because you want the feeling it provides. You may also be taking it because you are frightened of how you will feel without it.

The tablets become part of your daily routine. You begin planning your day around when you can take them and where you can buy them. Your decisions slowly become controlled by keeping enough codeine in your system.

Over-the-Counter Codeine Is Not Harmless

This is why I speak so openly about over-the-counter codeine addiction.

Nurofen Plus is not harmless simply because it can be bought from a pharmacy. The same applies to other codeine-containing medicines such as Solpadeine and certain co-codamol products.

Something that begins as pain relief can gradually become a daily routine. That routine can turn into dependence and addiction.

It can lead to planning your entire day around tablets. It can lead to hiding how many you are taking and lying to the people around you. It can lead to serious physical damage.

In my case it meant bleeding, vomiting and becoming dangerously unwell while still going back for more tablets.

Do Not Ignore the Warning Signs

Your body will often give you warning signs when something is seriously wrong.

You might be experiencing stomach pain, digestive problems, exhaustion or symptoms of withdrawal between doses. You may be taking codeine every day or using more than the recommended amount. You might regularly tell yourself that you will stop next week.

Please do not ignore those signs.

Speak honestly to your GP about what you are taking and how often you are taking it. You can also contact addiction services in your area or tell someone you trust what has been happening.

I understand how frightening it can feel to admit that you have lost control. I carried enormous shame and fear around my addiction. I continued hiding it until my body was close to breaking down completely.

Waiting nearly broke me.

Asking for help can feel like the hardest step but it could also be the step that saves your life. The sooner you speak to someone, the sooner you can begin getting the support you need.