Codeine is a powerful opiate painkiller usually prescribed to patients suffering from painful conditions or recovering from surgical procedures. It can also be used in prescription cough syrups to treat coughs, diarrhea, and pain.
However, when someone takes a large amount of codeine over a long time, they can become chemically dependent on it. Codeine addiction can have serious emotional, mental, and physical effects.
With time, you can develop a codeine tolerance that makes you take increased amounts of the drug to experience the desired effects. Untreated codeine addiction can also result in other substance abuse disorders and addictions, making it more challenging to recover.
Each person suffering from a codeine dependency or addiction will have unique needs and a personalized situation, meaning the treatment approach may vary for everyone. However, there are usually three main addiction treatment programs designed to provide codeine addiction treatment care to different kinds of recovering users.
This includes Intensive outpatient programs / partial hospitalization programs, outpatient programs, and inpatient programs. These codeine addiction treatment programs share several aspects of therapeutic approaches in common, including family support, addiction education, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The difference in these programs applies to the time commitment required and the services/treatment methods provided within that time frame.
When deciding between inpatient and outpatient treatment for codeine addiction, it is always better to choose the option that suits your recovery needs and your unique situation. However, inpatient/ residential treatment is advisable in cases where the individual’s addiction is classified as severe.
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient treatment for codeine addiction is an intensive and structured program where the client stays at the facility during the treatment duration. This treatment removes the recovering user from an environment filled with temptations and triggers and provides supervision 24/7 to prevent substance use and safety.
Inpatient rehab facilities have a team of qualified addiction specialists and medical professionals to help patients throughout their stay.
Users whose codeine abuse developed due to self-medication of mental health problems are ideal candidates for inpatient addiction treatment. Such individuals usually become dependent on the medication to hide their emotional pain.
Users with a dual diagnosis can also benefit from residential care as they can focus solely on their mental health and self-improvement. A dual diagnosis involves having a substance abuse problem co-occurring with a mental health condition.
Inpatient treatment may be short-term, ranging from 6 weeks to 3 months, but patients can extend their stay as needed. Since this program is a typical choice for people suffering from codeine dependency, the treatment usually starts with medically managed detox, which can be done in a nearby medical facility or on-site. After the detox, you can start working with peers and counselors in 12-step program meetings and therapy sessions.
Healthcare professionals can recommend other therapy approaches during an inpatient program. Combining science-based approaches such as counseling has been proven to raise a recovering codeine user’s recovery rate.
However, even though inpatient treatment for codeine addiction has a higher success rate, not everyone has this option. Fortunately, there are other levels of care to cater to everyone’s needs accordingly.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
This is usually the last stage of care in codeine addiction treatment. Some people might feel ready to go back to their routine while still requiring some extra guidance provided in a rehab facility. For such users, an outpatient rehab program can give them the extra support they need.
Users in this treatment program can live in a sober living facility or stay at home with their families. They can also schedule their treatment sessions while meeting weekly attendance qualifications.
Since clients in outpatient treatment have already indicated that they can manage their sobriety during inpatient programs, this program offers more compliance and scheduling freedom.
People in outpatient recovery can go through this program for three to six months without disrupting their daily lives and commitments. Outpatient treatment sessions typically happen in the evening, or early in the morning, so you can attend them without interrupting your routine.
Outpatient rehab programs are ideal for people who cannot take time off from their responsibilities or those caring for loved ones or family because they offer support, safety, and flexibility.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) or Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
This program is usually the next level after inpatient codeine addiction treatment designed to help recovering users who do not need to detox to transition from inpatient programs. It is not a residential program. Just like inpatient treatment, PHPs can either be long or short-term.
The recovering user must be comfortable and feel ready to move to the next level of care. Partial hospitalization programs help patients go on with supervised medication management, relapse prevention modules, and behavioral therapy. IOPs are more intensive than conventional outpatient treatment but with more strict therapy requirements and rules.
Choosing between Inpatient and Outpatient Codeine Addiction Treatment
Anyone struggling with a codeine addiction and still using this drug regularly can benefit from inpatient treatment programs. However, you might need to dedicate fully to the recovery process by sacrificing some responsibilities such as work, school, or loved ones for a given period. On the other hand, it could be a life-threatening situation requiring professional care and safe medically-supervised detox.
Individuals who don’t need to detox and are unwilling or unable to stay in a rehab facility during treatment could go for an intensive outpatient program. If you have finished an inpatient program and still need continued support on your recovery journey, consider outpatient treatment. When looking for a rehab facility, ensure it is a good and effective fit for your treatment needs.