Codeine use, dependence and help-seeking behaviour in the UK and Ireland: an online cross-sectional survey

Abstract

. Codeine use, dependence and help-seeking behaviour in the UK and Ireland: an online cross-sectional survey. QJM, 110(9), 559-564. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcx076Citing this paper Please note that where the full-text provided on King's Research Portal is the Author Accepted Manuscript or Post-Print version this may differ from the final Published version. If citing, it is advised that you check and use the publisher's definitive version for pagination, volume/issue, and date of publication details. And where the final published version is provided on the Research Portal, if citing you are again advised to check the publisher's website for any subsequent corrections. General rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the Research Portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognize and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.•Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the Research Portal for the purpose of private study or research.•You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain •You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the Research Portal Take down policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact librarypure@kcl.ac.uk providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.

The challenge of complex drug use: Associated use of codeine‐containing medicines and new psychoactive substances in a European cross‐sectional online population

“…The study identified a population engaging in complex substance use of a relatively young age (mean age = 34.9 years) where specific challenges in terms of identification, intervention, and treatment exist. The findings of the study add to previous studies to underline the potential for misuse and dependence of codeine where use of prescribed and over-the-counter products for genuine medical reasons transitions into problematic use (Cooper, 2013;Kimergård et al, 2017;Van Hout et al, 2015). However, our findings also describe codeine use for recreational purposes where high doses are consumed to induce opioid euphoria.…”

“…The degree of psychological dependence on codeine was measured using the Severity of Dependence Scale. The scale has previously been used to assess codeine dependence (Kimergård et al, ; Nielsen, Cameron, & Lee, ). The scale is easy to administer due to its brevity and consists of five questions scored from 0 to 3 for a total score between 0 and 15.…”

“…Codeine is currently one of the most used opioids globally (International Narcotics Control Board, 2015) and widely misused and associated with dependence in many countries in Europe (Cooper, 2013;Kimergård et al, 2017;Van Hout, Horan, Santlal, Rich, & Bergin, 2015;Roussin, Bouyssi, Pouché, Pourcel, & Lapeyre-Mestre, 2013).…”

“…Codeine is currently one of the most used opioids globally (International Narcotics Control Board, ) and widely misused and associated with dependence in many countries in Europe (Cooper, ; Kimergård et al, ; Van Hout, Horan, Santlal, Rich, & Bergin, ; Roussin, Bouyssi, Pouché, Pourcel, & Lapeyre‐Mestre, ). Regulations by medicine authorities to ensure legitimate supply and use of codeine‐containing medicines are in place at the international and national level across Europe.…”

Detecting the diverted use of psychoactive drugs by adolescents and young adults: A pilot study

“…In Poland, the main reasons explaining the increasing misuse of NPDs were the availability of information on drugs on the Internet and the free access to these drugs . So, measures contributing to restrict their access should reduce these drugs' misuse, even without suppressing the problem as codeine dependence was evidenced with both prescribed and nonprescription codeine …”