Why Experts Want to Ban Codeine from High Street Chemists: A Growing Crisis of Dependence and Ineffective Pain Relief
The UK’s widespread availability of codeine,readily purchased over-the-counter,is facing increasing scrutiny from medical professionals who argue it fuels dependence,offers limited long-term pain relief,and carries critically important,frequently enough overlooked,side effects.Concerns are mounting that the UK sells more codeine than many other nations, contributing to a growing public health issue.
Abby, a woman who spoke to the media, exemplifies the struggles many face.Initially prescribed codine – a stronger opioid - for pain, she took it for six months. While effective at relieving her pain, it left her feeling “numb and spaced out,” ultimately leading to feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. Despite wanting to discontinue use, Abby found her doctors offered limited guidance on how to safely reduce her dosage.The subsequent nine-month withdrawal process was described as “absolute hell,” marked by severe nausea, fatigue, and debilitating body aches.
Currently, Abby manages her pain with 30mg codeine twice daily, paracetamol every four hours, and 10mg morphine tablets around her menstrual cycle. She expresses a desire to eliminate opioids entirely but fears judgement from doctors and the prospect of lifelong dependence.
Abby’s experience is far from isolated. A recent survey conducted by Nottingham University across ten general practices in the East Midlands, and published in the journal Pain Reports earlier this year, revealed the extent of the problem. The study found that 80% of patients prescribed opioids experienced at least one adverse effect as a result, and over a third (35.7%) expressed fears of dependence or addiction.
This data highlights a critical point: painkillers are not the only solution for managing pain. Professor Knaggs emphasizes the importance of alternative strategies, including maintaining physical activity, prioritizing good sleep, and utilizing cognitive approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness.He also stresses the need to educate patients about the complex relationship between pain and tissue damage.
Professor Everington advocates for increased “social prescribing” within the NHS, offering access to activities like free swimming, gardening, golf, nature walks, and community engagement groups. He notes that social prescribing has already begun to shift practice, providing doctors with non-pharmacological alternatives for patients, including those with chronic pain.
Beyond the physical toll, opioid use can have devastating consequences for individuals and their families. Abby acknowledges the emotional distance she created with her children during her addiction, relying on her mother for support. Losing her job in October 2023 proved to be a turning point, prompting her to seek professional help.
Currently, Abby is ten months into a supported withdrawal program at a drug-dependency service, utilizing opioid substitution therapy, group therapy, and counselling. She has successfully reduced her daily dosage from 12mg to 6mg and reports regaining control of her life, with ongoing support from a mental health team.
Driven by her experience,Abby has launched an online petition calling for the establishment of a national database to track over-the-counter codeine sales. she believes this is crucial to understanding the true scale of the problem and argues that opioids are “freely prescribed for too long,” with insufficient warnings about their ineffectiveness for long-term pain and their potential to “ruin lives.”
