Codeine Rehab Treatment Explained
Used properly, codeine is a useful and valuable medicine in the treatment of pain; unfortunately, it is also frequently abused, and is highly habit-forming. Codeine addiction now affects thousands of Britons – but help is out there in the form of a number of high-quality treatment facilities enabling codeine addicts to overcome their habits and get back to a life of abstinence.
Where to Get Help for Codeine Addiction/Substance Abuse
If you are suffering from a codeine addiction, it is likely that you will not have a good understanding of the addiction treatment landscape, or where to turn for help – after all, why would this have been something you would have needed to know? There are various different choices for treatment, both public and private, and it is important that you make the right choice – but your first port of call should be your GP and/or an addiction specialist with whom you can discuss your condition and find out about the addiction treatment options which may be appropriate for you.
Importance of treating codeine addiction & when to seek treatment
There is no wrong time to go into treatment (certainly, compared with not getting help at all): whenever you are ready to ask for help is the right time to do so.
If you believe you have a problem with codeine abuse, and have tried and failed to stop consuming codeine – and certainly if your codeine abuse has begun to damage any part of your life including your health – you need to get treatment for your addiction before it does you any more harm.
Understanding codeine addiction treatment and rehab options
There are many different approaches to addiction treatment, and a great variety of different organisations to which you can turn for help. It is important to remember, however, that not every type of treatment, nor every treatment facility, will be appropriate for your needs and situation. The kind of treatment you receive, how you receive it, where it is provided, who provides it, how long your treatment programme lasts, and many other questions will all depend on a number of different factors, some of which will be personal to you and others may depend on your location and environment.
However, regardless of whether you opt for NHS treatment, private addiction treatment options, or to get help from a charity, and whether you choose residential or outpatient treatment, the most important thing is that you do get help in the first place: failing to tackle your codeine addiction could kill you.
- Charities
- NHS Options
- Private Rehab
- Residential Care
Private rehab vs free treatment options for codeine addiction
The NHS does provide addiction treatment services, as do a number of charities which operate across the UK. However, waiting times can be extremely lengthy, and places limited, and many people – especially those suffering extreme distress as a result of their codeine addictions – prefer to get into treatment as soon as possible by going down the private treatment route. Of course, private addiction treatment does come at a cost – but in some cases this can be covered by health insurance, and various payment options, including credit and delay payment, are offered by some private addiction treatment organisations.
Executive/luxury rehab programmes for codeine addiction
If you work in a high-pressure role, and do not feel that you can afford time completely away from work – but nevertheless need treatment for your codeine addiction – you may opt for an executive rehab programme catering for the needs of professionals, offering facilities which will enable you to stay active and in touch with work. Meanwhile, if you are a high net worth individual and wish to ensure that your treatment is provided in luxurious surroundings, luxury rehab programmes are available offering high-end facilities in which treatment can be provided, ensuring minimal stress and optimal levels of comfort.
What Happens in Codeine Rehab
No two journeys through rehab and recovery are the same, and likewise no two treatment facilities are identical. However, generally speaking a similar process is followed in most rehabs, and it is possible to give a rough guide as to what to expect when you enrol in a treatment facility, and the course which your codeine addiction treatment is likely to follow. Bear in mind that it is important to make sure you familiarise yourself with the specifics of any treatment facility you select, so you know what to expect and will not experience any disconcerting surprises during your treatment.
Codeine rehab admission process
While every addiction treatment organisation has its own admission process, generally speaking they strive to make admissions as simple and as stress-free as possible for your benefit. Typically upon contacting a treatment organisation you will be asked to provide a few details about your condition and the situation you wish to remedy, and then will choose a specific clinic where you will receive treatment. In the case of private treatment organisations, once you have placed a deposit and your place at the facility is confirmed, you will be able to travel to rehab (with travel potentially being provided by the facility itself) and begin treatment.
Codeine addiction assessment
The first step in your codeine addiction treatment will be a full physical and psychological assessment carried out by medical professionals and designed to establish your condition and the severity of your addiction. This assessment will form the basis of your addiction treatment plan, and it is imperative that you are completely candid with your doctors about your codeine abuse and addiction and any other health conditions that you may have; a failure to be fully honest at this point will make your treatment significantly more difficult and less likely to be successful, and could even be dangerous.
Acceptance of the problem
No addiction treatment can hope to be successful unless the addict truly wants to stop their substance abuse – and is able to accept that they have a problem that they are unable to manage themselves. Upon entering a treatment facility, doctors will need to confirm that you are accepting of your situation and truly wish to overcome it, so they will be confident that you will give the proper dedication and attention to your treatment. Many addicts find this difficult as they do not wish to admit to weakness; however, it is an indispensable aspect of treatment.
Medically assisted/controlled detoxification
Following your initial assessment, the first phase of your treatment will be detoxification (detox) during which your system will be cleansed of all substances of abuse including codeine: no further treatment will be successful if you are still struggling with codeine dependence (and certainly not if you are still abusing codeine). During detox, codeine withdrawal symptoms are likely to manifest; if necessary, doctors can make codeine withdrawal significantly less distressing and unpleasant with the help of certain medication (known as medically assisted detox), and will be on hand 24/7 throughout detox to ensure your safety and optimal comfort.
Rehabilitation
Once you have completed detox, you will move into the next phase of your treatment, which will be founded upon the provision of therapy aimed at uncovering and addressing the fundamental causes of your codeine abuse and addiction, and providing you with the psychological defence mechanisms which can see you through recovery after you complete your treatment plan. During this phase you will also benefit from bespoke fitness and dietary plans (as well as access to an array of other facilities, varying from one clinic to the next) aimed at ensuring that you are healing bodily as well as mentally.
Recovery
At the end of your addiction treatment plan, you will be free of codeine and will have learned many valuable skills which you can take with you into your life outside the clinic. However, it is vital to bear in mind that your recovery is not complete the moment you leave the treatment facility: it is an ongoing process with many pitfalls along the way. Quality treatment facilities will provide up to a year’s free aftercare to ensure the strongest possible foundations for your recovery; nevertheless, staying addiction-free in the long term will require significant dedication and commitment on your part.
What is an Inpatient Rehab Programme?
As the name suggests, inpatient rehab programmes see addicts treated on site in a residential facility where they will stay (typically for between 30 and 90 days) to be treated according to their individual addiction treatment plans. Inpatient – or residential – rehab facilities are secure, calm, friendly, confidential and substance-free environments in which clients can focus solely upon healing and recovery, and can benefit from the advice, support and companionship of other addicts in treatment who understand the nature of addiction and its many challenges – as well as from the 24/7 presence of highly experienced medical professionals
What is Outpatient Rehab?
Some addicts – especially those with significant family or work responsibilities – do not feel able to take the time out from daily life which an inpatient addiction treatment programme entails; for such people, outpatient treatment – in which some appointments including therapy, check-ups and prescriptions when necessary are provided on-site, but other elements of the treatment plan must be conducted independently – may be preferable. Although outpatient rehab has its advantages, it does not take addicts away from their day-to-day environments in which substance abuse and addiction have developed, making relapse – and potentially the failure of treatment – much more likely.
Day programmes
Some treatment facilities offer day programmes, with treatment being provided during the day for between one and seven days a week, but with addicts returning home or to other accommodation overnight. Day programmes are particularly appropriate for addicts who live close to the facility and are able to travel easily to and from it for treatment; for those who have particular requirements at home, such as young children, making overnight stays difficult; and for those who have especially strong support networks who can provide assistance whilst away from the facility. Day programmes may also be of interest to addicts who have gone through inpatient treatment but want supplementary support following the end of an addiction treatment programme. They are not considered appropriate for anyone who does not have strong support at home; who has physical and mental health problems outside their addictions; or who has to travel long distances (typically over an hour) to and from the facility.
Intensive outpatient programmes
Intensive outpatient treatment may be seen as a kind of “halfway house” between inpatient and outpatient care. While some outpatient programmes only require attendance at a couple of sessions per week, intensive outpatient care usually consists of four, five or more longer (often between three and five hours, though specifics will vary from one treatment facility to another) sessions each week (usually decreasing in frequency over the course of the programme), and usually lasts for a shorter period than other outpatient options. Addicts attend the clinic for therapy and other appointments over these sessions, but for the rest of the week are able to engage in their normal activities including work (which nevertheless needs to be structured around the intensive outpatient treatment programme). Participants in intensive outpatient treatment are usually required to undergo regular screening for substances of abuse to ensure that they are not deviating from treatment whilst away from the clinic.
Ongoing care
Ongoing care – commonly known as aftercare – is support provided after the conclusion of an addiction treatment programme. Addicts in recovery frequently need supplemental care in the form of therapy and counselling appointments, checkups, medication prescription, and support group meetings; an aftercare plan will be given to you after you complete treatment featuring scheduled appointments (some of which will be able to be carried out on site, while others will be conducted over the phone or by email) and potentially requiring you to engage in counselling or attend support groups. Quality rehabs typically provide up to a year’s free aftercare, with the frequency of appointments usually declining over the course of that period as addicts become more and more confident about their ability to maintain their sobriety in the outside world. Many rehabs also offer emergency appointment opportunities as part of aftercare should you feel in need of urgent support during your recovery process.
How is Medication Used to Treat Addiction?
First and foremost, it is vital to bear in mind that at present there is no pharmaceutical “cure” for addiction: addiction treatment primarily consists of therapy enabling you to reshape your thoughts and behaviours in a way which allows you to live without substance abuse. However, medication can play several roles in the treatment of addiction, depending on the nature of the addiction itself: some medicines may be provided to manage cravings, reduce dosages, give safer substitutes for problematic substances of abuse, or even to disincentivise substance abuse itself, while others are commonly prescribed to alleviate the worst symptoms of withdrawal – while of course other medication may also be given to counter threats to an addict’s health during treatment.
Medications used in addiction treatment & rehab
Various different medications have been approved for the treatment of addiction in the UK; however, not all such medications are useful in every case of addiction, with some only playing a role in the treatment of particular substance use disorders. Moreover, not every medication may be appropriate or even safe for any given individual: some drugs interact very dangerously with others, whilst some individuals suffering from coexisting health conditions (especially mental health disorders) may not be able to take particular medications without risking further damage. Whether or not you are prescribed medication as part of your codeine addiction treatment, and the type of medication you may be offered, will depend upon your initial assessment and how you respond to detox and other elements of your addiction treatment plan. It is absolutely vital that you never attempt to self-medicate any aspect of your codeine addiction, as doing so could place your life in jeopardy.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
- Buprenorphine (Buprenex)
- Methadone
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Acamprosate (Campral)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Modafinil (Provigil)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Bupropion (Buproban)
- Gabapentin (Fanatrex)
- Vigabatrin (Sabril)
- Baclofen (Kemstro)
- Topiramate (Topamax)
Psychotherapy for Codeine Addiction Treatment
Coping-focused psychotherapy
Coping-focused psychotherapy seeks to enable clients to develop ways in which they can cope with challenges (in the treatment of addiction, especially those challenges associated with substance abuse and the desire to engage in it) in order to minimise or overcome conflict and stress; in psychotherapy, “coping” is the putting of conscious effort into the solution of personal and interpersonal problems. Psychological coping mechanisms – usually referred to as coping strategies – are typically established as an individual matures, but some people adopt substance abuse as a coping strategy, with obvious negative consequences. Coping-focused psychotherapy aims to develop better coping strategies in the client, who works with the therapist to discuss challenges they have faced and continue to face and to find ways in which those challenges can be overcome. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) are two coping-focused psychotherapy approaches commonly deployed in the treatment of addiction.
Social skills/interpersonal/growth psychotherapy
Many addicts suffer from poor interpersonal skills (or a belief that they possess such poor skills) which can create very significant challenges in daily life, especially when it comes to important relationships including romantic ones. These challenges can often drive individuals into self-destructive behaviour including substance abuse, and eventually addiction. Moreover, addiction itself can create social challenges as addicts become increasingly distant from friends and loved ones, and typically become more and more isolated as addiction takes hold. Interpersonal psychotherapy seeks to build and/or improve social skills in order to avoid such challenges becoming debilitating, and to enable clients to enjoy better and more fulfilling relationships which can have a wide range of positive benefits. Better communication can also make treatment itself significantly easier as clients are able to articulate their feelings more fluently, enabling more effective therapy, while the skills learned in interpersonal therapy can also create a sounder professional footing for the recovering addict once they leave treatment.
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Exploratory psychotherapy
Exploratory psychotherapy – also known as psychodynamic psychotherapy – explores the connections between what has happened in the past and the addict’s behaviour in the present, in order better to understand where the addict’s problematic thought processes and behaviours have come from. Such exploration may involve the investigation of traumatic events which have contributed to the addict’s engagement in substance abuse and the development of the addiction, and can therefore be quite a difficult and even distressing experience, at least initially; however, therapists are of course well aware of the sensitive nature of many such traumas and work carefully with each client to explore past events sensitively and thoughtfully. Exploratory psychotherapy can contribute to an improvement in self-esteem, self-awareness, and mood regulation, and many addicts continue to participate in, and feel the benefits of, such psychotherapy long after the end of any addiction treatment programme.
Types of psychotherapy used in codeine addiction treatment
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Art therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Counselling
- Dialectical behavioural therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
- Fitness therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Individual therapy
- Meditation
- Music therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
The Recovery Process
It is understandable that any addict who has been through treatment, potentially for several months, and has managed to achieve abstinence may feel that their struggles are over and that they have been “cured“ of their addiction. However, in some ways the hardest part of the journey only begins once you leave a treatment facility and need to navigate your way through daily life without the security offered by rehab. There is no one single point at which you should say you have fully recovered from your addiction; recovery should be seen as a long-term process requiring constant dedication and commitment, even a long time after you leave treatment.
Elements of recovery
Of course, just as no two experiences of addiction are identical, no two journeys through recovery are exactly the same. However, there are clearly commonalities across experiences, with many similar challenges and pitfalls facing addicts in recovery. It can be helpful to break the recovery process down into a number of different elements, each of which can be focused on individually whilst at the same time reviewing recovery as a holistic process; these elements can be worked on during the course of a treatment programme, with different techniques being developed to boost skills and capabilities in each area – indeed, different types of therapy may be deployed to address particular elements of recovery. It is important always to bear in mind that each individual proceeds at a different pace and some people naturally have very different skills from others; feeling particularly deficient in one area does not mean that your recovery is doomed, merely that you have a point of particular focus upon which to work.
- Developing hope
- Secure base
- Sense of self
- Supportive relationships
- Empowerment
- Social inclusion
- Coping skills
- Giving meaning
How Long are Codeine Rehab Programmes?
How long you will need to remain in treatment for your codeine addiction will depend on a number of factors, including your physical and mental condition and the severity of your addiction, and on the type of treatment programme you decide to undergo. Typically, a stay in residential rehab will last for between 30 and 90 days, though significantly shorter (as short as 7 to 14 days) and much longer programmes are provided by some rehabs.
It may be that you set out on treatment with a particular duration in mind, but because of changing circumstances during the course of treatment – for example, if you respond especially well to your treatment, or on the other hand if it becomes clear that longer treatment is required – you may end up staying in the clinic for significantly less, or more, time than was originally intended. You may also come to feel that you require supplementary support after the end of an addiction treatment programme, and continue to engage in some form of treatment (for example, counselling) or to receive medication for some time after you leave the treatment facility. This does not mean that treatment has failed; merely that your recovery process is ongoing.
What does Codeine Rehab Cost in the UK?
The cost of private codeine addiction treatment can vary very significantly from one treatment facility and organisation to the next, and even from one programme to the next within the same facility. Costs will be determined by the type of treatment you receive, the length of your stay, any complications you may have requiring specialist care, the standard of facility you attend (understandably, executive and luxury rehabs cost substantially more than standard facilities) and various other factors.
Very roughly speaking, standard residential codeine addiction treatment in the UK costs between £4,000 and £15,000 a month; however, pricing varies so significantly from one rehab to the next that it can be very counter-productive to contemplate treatment without getting precise figures from the clinic or clinics that you are considering attending. When doing your research into treatment facilities, make sure you ask directly for prices for treatment, as well as enquiring about payment plans, paying with health insurance and any other relevant factors.
An addiction specialist can give you more comprehensive information regarding likely treatment costs, as well as helping you to find out about how to pay for treatment and whether or not more affordable options are available to you.
Codeine Addiction Recovery and Aftercare
Once you have completed an addiction treatment programme and moved into recovery, a quality treatment facility will provide you with up to a year’s free aftercare to ensure that you have the most solid footing possible for your recovery. Having left the facility and achieved abstinence, it is understandable that you may feel free of your addiction and may not wish to return to the facility for aftercare appointments, as this may remind you of the difficulties of your recent past. However, aftercare is provided for a reason: recovery can be extremely challenging, and you should take advantage of all the support that you are given in order to ensure the greatest likelihood of a sustained abstinence.
Recovery and community
Your recovery will be immeasurably easier if you have a strong support base, including friends and loved ones who can help you through any difficult times ahead. It is important to remember, though, addiction is an unfortunately common affliction and there is now a significant community of recovering addicts, and those assisting them, active throughout the country which can provide you with further support during your recovery. You may also benefit from becoming part of that community and providing support and advice to other recovering addicts who can learn from your own experiences; helping others can be extremely therapeutic, as well as helping you continue to work through some of the issues by which you may still be troubled.
Support groups
A large number of support groups are now active across the UK providing help, advice and fellowship to recovering addicts. The most famous of those relevant to codeine addicts is Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which provides meetings on a weekly basis at many venues around the country, though a number of other groups are also active in helping codeine addicts through recovery. Attendance at support group meetings is usually free, and they are typically open to anyone in recovery from, or even continuing to struggle with, an addiction who is committed to leading an abstinent life. Support group meetings are low-pressure environments hosted and populated by people who understand the nature and challenges of addiction and who wish to both help and be helped by others. If you believe that participating in such meetings would benefit your recovery, contact an addiction specialist to find out more about relevant support group organisations active in your area.
12-Step
NA operates the 12-step methodology initially developed by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Although not every addict is comfortable with a 12-step programme (as certain aspects of it may be incompatible with their personal beliefs), such programs have benefited countless individuals worldwide. To find out more about the 12-step model, speak with an addiction specialist.
Ready to Start Rehab?
If you are struggling with a codeine addiction, the sooner you can ask for help the sooner you will be able to receive it. If you recognise that you have a problem, and want to overcome it, you are ready to request that help: get in touch with your GP and/or an addiction specialist as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.
Take control of your life – get started on the road to recovery
Addiction is an all-consuming affliction, and if you are suffering from a codeine addiction it is understandable that you may feel that you have lost control of your life and that you are powerless in the grip of your addiction. However, it is vital to recognise that it is not too late to beat your addiction, and that with the right professional help you can stop engaging in codeine abuse and get back to the life you want and deserve.
Right now, thousands of people in the UK, and many more worldwide, are living healthy and happy lives free from the addictions that once threatened to destroy them. You could be one of them: pick up the phone today to your GP and/or an addiction specialist to discuss your situation and find out how you can get the treatment you need to defeat your codeine addiction. Making that call could be your first step on the road to recovery – so take that step today.
Sources
https://www.ukat.co.uk/opiates/codeine/treatment-rehab/
https://www.oasisrehab.co.uk/rehab-programme/
https://www.oasisrehab.co.uk/admissions-process/
https://www.addictionhelper.com/treatment-rehab/day-care/
https://www.ukat.co.uk/outpatient-treatment-services/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensive_outpatient_program
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coping_(psychology)
https://www.narconon.org/drug-rehab/skills/interpersonal-development.html
https://www.columbiadoctors.org/treatment/exploratory-psychodynamic-psychotherapy
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