Codeine
Codeine is a prescription medication useful in treating moderate pain. It is an opioid and an antitussive. Codeine pills come in tablet and oral solution formulation. Codeine is also available in combination with other drugs such as paracetamol (acetaminophen). Tylenol 3 is a famous pain killer containing codeine combined with acetaminophen.
Codeine is an opioid and a Schedule II medication under the Controlled Substance Act 1970. It means that the drug has the potential to produce codeine high. It is a common drug of abuse on streets, famous with names as coties, schoolboys, and t-three's.
Codeine Effects
People usually start using codeine as a prescription medication for pain relief or cough suppression. Since Codeine is a less regulated medication than other opiates such as morphine or OxyContin, abusing it is relatively easy. Codeine is chemically very similar to hydrocodone and morphine. Despite being less potent, it provides similar effects as morphine.
Codeine pills create the effects of euphoria, apathy, drowsiness, and relaxation.
Codeine Abuse
Codeine is an opiate that runs a high risk of developing a tolerance and eventually dependence on it. People begin using the drug to relieve legitimate conditions, but it turns into codeine abuse as they build a tolerance. Also, many users start to take the medication to cope with all of their physical pain and, eventually, emotional pain.
Some abusers think that codeine is harmless, but at higher doses, it can lead to respiratory failure, coma, and even death. This risk is higher when abusers combine codeine and alcohol.
Codeine Addiction
Codeine addiction may develop by continuously abusing the drug in its pill or cough medicine form. Codeine users are in a false sense of security because many people do not consider it as a much addictive or powerful drug like other opioids. However, codeine is a gateway drug to other addictive drugs such as morphine or even heroin.
Codeine addiction is a cause of several different factors combined, such as:
Genetic: Addiction to certain substances can be hereditary. An individual having a first-degree relative addicted to drugs is most likely to develop a substance addiction lately.
Biological: Some are born lacking the neurotransmitters that cause well-being and pleasure. These people attempt to correct their inborn deficiency by codeine abuse.
Psychological: People who struggle with undiagnosed mental illness often abuse codeine to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms and to feel more normal.

Symptoms of Addiction
Common signs and symptoms of codeine addiction and abuse include:
Physical:
Dizziness
Fainting
Dry mouth
Constipation
Urinary retention
Low blood pressure
Seizures
Respiratory depression
Decreased sex drive

Mood:
Depression
Anxiety
Euphoria
Mood swings
Sense of calmness

Behavioral:
Social isolation
Forging prescriptions
Stealing or borrowing codeine from people
Fixation on codeine
Healthcare fraud
Apathy
Faking illness or pain to obtain codeine
Poor work performance

Psychological:
Hallucination
Psychosis
Delusions
Lack of emotions
Decreased memory
Worsening mental health
Increased symptoms of mental illness

Some treatment methods to help individuals suffering from codeine addiction and abuse include:
Treatment centers for codeine addiction
Detoxification from codeine
Inpatient rehabilitation from codeine.