Dihydrocodeine Addiction

Dihydrocodeine is a widely-used medicine, effective both for pain relief and for treating nasty coughs. However, as with all opioids, its potential for misuse looms large, with dihydrocodeine addiction often unfolding rapidly and leading to profound consequences.

What is dihydrocodeine?

Dihydrocodeine is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) that is derived from naturally occurring codeine. It was first synthesised in the early 20th century and was developed to provide more potent pain relief than codeine in its standard form.

Dihydrocodeine functions by binding to the body’s opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, lessening the intensity of pain and creating a pleasant feeling of sedation. It is commonly prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery, as part of cancer pain management and for the treatment of severe coughs and shortness of breath.

What is dihydrocodeine addiction?

Dihydrocodeine addiction is a serious condition that often occurs when prescriptions are not followed or when the drug is used to get “high” or to self-medicate. Like other forms of opioid addiction, dihydrocodeine addiction causes an uncontrollable urge to use the drug even though it is obviously causing you harm.

The process of becoming addicted to dihydrocodeine can begin innocuously, often with a legitimate medical prescription for pain. Over time, however, your tolerance to dihydrocodeine can build, causing you to up your doses or take it more regularly. This is what leads to physical dependence as your body adapts to constantly having certain levels of dihydrocodeine in your system and goes into withdrawal if those levels drop.

Psychological dependence is also a critical aspect of dihydrocodeine addiction, where you experience intense cravings and obsess over securing more of the drug. This dependency can profoundly impact your behaviour, leading to drug-seeking actions that prioritise dihydrocodeine over all other aspects of your life.

Dihydrocodeine addiction in the UK

Dihydrocodeine addiction is a pertinent issue in the United Kingdom, reflecting a broader concern over opioid misuse, which has escalated over recent years with the American Opioid Crisis. While things have not reached the same levels in the US, opioids are still the leading cause of drug-related deaths in the UK, and between 2001 and 2020, there were 2071 deaths related to dihydrocodeine in England alone.

The dangers of dihydrocodeine addiction mean that it is classified under Class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act. This means there are serious legal ramifications for illegal supply and possession, while legal prescription and distribution are tightly controlled to minimise abuse. Despite these regulations, dihydrocodeine remains a subject of misuse and addiction with potentially life-altering consequences.

How to spot the symptoms of dihydrocodeine addiction

It is really important to spot the symptoms of dihydrocodeine addiction early, but this can be tough, especially when it’s prescribed for real pain issues. Here are some specific symptoms that may suggest you or someone you know might be getting addicted to dihydrocodeine:

• Finding that the usual dose of dihydrocodeine doesn’t do the trick anymore and needing more to get relief.
• Feeling physical symptoms like nausea, sweating or anxiety when you stop taking dihydrocodeine.
• Trying to quit but not being able to do it.
• Starting to fail at work, school or in your home life because of dihydrocodeine use.
• Spending less time with friends and family and losing interest in hobbies.
• Seeing several doctors to get more dihydrocodeine prescriptions.

If you notice these dihydrocodeine addiction symptoms in yourself or someone else, it is a huge signal to reach out for help.

What makes Dihydrocodeine addictive?

The way dihydrocodeine works on a chemical level means that it is inherently habit-forming. However, there are also different factors which make the drug particularly addictive to some people, including:

The dangers of Dihydrocodeine abuse and addiction

Dihydrocodeine addiction and abuse can lead to a host of serious problems, both in the short term and over the long haul. It’s important to be aware of these risks to understand just how damaging addiction can be:

• Mental clouding: Chronic dihydrocodeine abuse can impair your thinking and reaction times, which can make activities like driving or operating dangerous machinery very risky.
• Addiction to other opioids: Starting with dihydrocodeine can sometimes lead to using stronger opioids as tolerance develops, which can escalate the addiction and associated risks.
• Mood swings: Dihydrocodeine addiction, cravings, and withdrawal can all create unpredictable mood swings and resulting behaviour.
• Physical health decline: Prolonged dihydrocodeine abuse can harm the liver and kidneys, potentially leading to long-term damage and chronic health issues.
• Mental health issues: Long-term users may see worsening symptoms of conditions like anxiety and depression. This can make underlying mental health problems more complicated and harder to treat.
• Social and financial problems: Dihydrocodeine addiction can strain your relationships, affect your job and cause serious financial problems as your priorities shift towards obtaining and using more of the drug.
• Increased risk of overdose: Misusing dihydrocodeine, especially by taking it in higher doses or mixing it with other substances like alcohol, can lead to overdose. Symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness and can be life-threatening without medical care.

Effective treatment for dihydrocodeine addiction

Dihydrocodeine addiction treatment requires a comprehensive approach because addiction is such a complex condition, including steps such as detox, where you safely remove dihydrocodeine from your system under the guidance of a medical team and combating the underlying mental, social and emotional causes of dihydrocodeine addiction through opioid rehab. This usually involves different therapies and is available as an outpatient or inpatient.

Following these first two stages, preventing relapse becomes the priority, with continued therapy, lifestyle changes and attending support groups like Narcotics Anonymous all playing an important role.

What do I do if I’m addicted to dihydrocodeine?

If you are struggling with dihydrocodeine addiction, reaching out for help is a vital first step. Dihydrocodeine rehab is the most effective tool to help you overcome addiction.

FAQ’s