Codeine Misuse and Dependence Factsheet for Healthcare Professionals

The misuse of opioid containing pharmaceuticals is of growing global concern. It is driven by a host of factors, including marketing strategies, inappropriate prescribing, public perceptions of safety, access to other illicit sources, self-medication of pain and recreational popularity. [1-6]Opioid use is commonly associated with lower educational attainment, unemployment, disability, comorbidity, history of problematic substance use and suicide. [7]