Dihydrocodeine is an opioid medication used to treat pain that cannot be treated by non-opioid pain medications. Since opioids are addictive, dihydrocodeine should only be prescribed after non-addictive treatments fail.

Dihydrocodeine is available as a prescription in the United States as a combination tablet or pill.

Dihydrocodeine is formulated with acetaminophen and caffeine into Panlor (tablets) or Trezix (capsules). The combinations are a Schedule III substance according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This means they have a recognized medical use but are addictive and habit-forming.

Dihydrocodeine addiction treatment is the same as other opioid addiction treatment programs, typically involving a medical detox and inpatient or outpatient rehab. The drug is rarely prescribed in the United States, however, and addiction professionals may be less familiar with it than codeine, a similar opioid.

Since most people are familiar with codeine but not dihydrocodeine, a conversion factor is useful for understanding it. Dihydrocodeine and codeine are 1:1 equivalent, meaning that 30 mg of codeine is the same as 30 mg of dihydrocodeine in terms of pain control and addictive potential.

Dihydrocodeine Addiction Treatment Options

Compared to other opioids, codeine and dihydrocodeine are the least potent. The two drugs require higher doses to treat pain and are also less addictive. However, no one should mistake dihydrocodeine as non-addictive. All opioids have a very high potential for misuse and addiction. Less potent opioids can act as a gateway to more potent ones like oxycodone, heroin and fentanyl. Regardless of the opioid, addiction has the same consequences.

Dihydrocodeine addiction treatment follows the general pathway of detox, withdrawal and recovery. Treatment plans are tailored to the needs of the individual and may be done in a variety of different settings.

Dihydrocodeine Treatment Options

  • Medical Detox

    Medical detox occurs in a structured inpatient environment with a treatment team present to address problems as they happen. The initial detox process can be challenging. Withdrawal symptoms happen in this phase and can include:

    Agitation and irritability

    Anxiety

    Diarrhea

    Dilated pupils

    Goosebumps

    Muscle aches

    Nausea and vomiting

    Runny nose

    Stomach pain

    Sweating

    Trouble sleeping

    Vomiting

    Yawning

    Some symptoms of withdrawal can cause permanent harm. Vomiting and diarrhea can dehydrate, stomach aches can stop someone from eating and trouble sleeping can cause disruptive psychiatric symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.

  • Residential Rehab

    Residential drug rehab is a hybrid between inpatient and outpatient treatment. It takes place at a live-in facility, but residents can come and go as long as they follow their treatment program.

    Residential drug rehab is ideal for people who are motivated to treat their addiction but need the intensive support of a 24-hour facility.

  • Outpatient Rehab

    Outpatient drug rehab is a series of interconnected programs that a person can attend while they still fulfill obligations like school or work.

    People usually enter outpatient treatment if they have already been through detox. They will then continue in treatment programs that include addiction education, group or individual therapy and peer support.

  • Dual Diagnosis

    Dual diagnosis treatment is for people with a drug addiction and a psychiatric diagnosis like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder.

    Dual diagnosis rehab can be very complex because the clinician must separate symptoms of addiction from symptoms of the underlying psychiatric disorder. It can also be difficult to determine whether drug use is a symptom of the psychiatric disorder or the addiction.

How Long Does Dihydrocodeine Addiction Treatment Take?

Dihydrocodeine addiction treatment usually lasts somewhere between a few weeks and a few months. This period depends on how severe the drug misuse was and how the body readjusts to biology without opioids.

Drug addiction treatment should last at least 90 days to be effective. People on medication-assisted treatment (methadone or buprenorphine) can expect treatment to last at least 12 months. Evidence shows this is the most effective treatment for opioid addiction. Research has repeatedly shown that longer treatment produces better outcomes, but this will always depend on individual circumstances.

What Does Dihydrocodeine Addiction Treatment Cost?

Dihydrocodeine addiction treatment costs vary, but many insurance companies will cover the cost. The best way for someone to learn about their coverage is to call the number on the back of their insurance card.

If a person has no insurance or their insurance won’t cover treatment, low cost and free options are available. The cost of treatment is discussed in more detail once someone enters a treatment program.

Choosing a Dihydrocodeine Treatment Center

Picking the right opioid addiction treatment center is a matter of asking the right questions and getting good information. Some examples include:

Comfort

  • Are rooms single-person or shared?
  • Are units inclusive or divided? (are people with different drug rehab needs mixed together or separated into units?)
  • Is this a single-gender or all-gender facility?
  • How does the staff make you feel during calls and visit?

Location

  • Is it close to home?
  • Are family and friends allowed to visit?
  • Is the facility far enough away from negative influences?
  • Do I want the facility far from home for more privacy during treatment?

Treatment Approach

  • Does the facility have a medical staff?
  • Are medications used during treatment?
  • What is a typical day like?
  • Does this facility treat psychiatric disorders or just addiction issues?

Our Drug Detox and Inpatient Rehab Center

The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health

4905 Lantana Rd
Lake Worth, FL 33463

561-340-7269

What to Expect When You Go to Rehab

People attending rehab should expect to be placed out of their comfort zone. Opioid addiction treatment in rehab centers is designed to heal months or years of damage caused by addiction. This may feel uncomfortable at first, but it will ultimately make life more rewarding and fulfilling.

Dihydrocodeine addiction treatment will follow the normal pathway of opioid treatment: detox and withdrawal, followed by remission and continued maintenance treatment. Treatment starts in an inpatient or residential facility for the most severe addictions. After acute withdrawal, treatment continues on an outpatient basis where those with mild to moderate addictions begin their treatment.

What Happens After Rehab?

People who complete rehab are given treatment resources to continue living a sober life. Some types of resources include:

  • Support: Options for continued support include addiction support groups like narcotics anonymous. Many people maintain a therapist trained in addiction medicine.
  • Relapse prevention: Prevention has many factors involved. It requires successful management of addiction triggers and causes of stress and anxiety. An addiction counselor will work closely with the individual for proper relapse prevention planning.
  • Sober living: Sobriety is more than just saying “no.” Sober living is a lifestyle encouraged through healthy habits and activities. There are also sober living homes that can help people better integrate back into daily life.

Dihydrocodeine Addiction Treatment Effectiveness

In opioid addiction treatment, the goal is to return the person to normal functioning in areas of daily life, such as at school or in the workplace. Research has shown that most people who attend treatment stop using drugs and improve their relationships and activities at home, work and school. They also leave treatment with effective resources that help them prevent relapse and avoid uncomfortable triggers in the future.

Key Points: Understanding Dihydrocodeine Addiction Treatment and Rehab

There are a few things to remember about dihydrocodeine:

  • Dihydrocodeine is formulated in the combination drugs Trezix and Panlor
  • Dihydrocodeine is an opioid medication that can treat pain, but it also has addictive potential
  • Opioid detox treatment can happen in an inpatient, outpatient or residential setting
  • Most opioid treatment programs are 90 days minimum, but the best ones are longer
  • People should choose a rehab center based on comfort, location and treatment approach
  • Recovery is a lifelong process and continues past rehab

If you or a loved one suffers from an opioid addiction, The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is here to help. Our helpful staff can find a treatment program that works well for your situation. Contact us today and take the first step toward recovery.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.