Tylenol 3 Abuse

Tylenol 3 is a prescription pain management tablet. The drug is also commonly known as "acetaminophen and codeine." Codeine, an opiate, can be highly addictive. Improper use of Tylenol 3 can lead to addiction. To limit side effects and avoid abuse, follow the instructions on the bottle and do not share prescriptions.

Potential

• Merriam-Webster defines abuse as "improper or excessive use". Abusing Tylenol 3 includes not following pharmacist's directions for use and sharing your prescription. Prolonged abuse of the medication can lead to dependency, which can cause addiction. Addiction is defined as compulsive, possibly harmful use of a substance.

Effects

• Like most medications, Tylenol 3 comes with warnings of multiple side effects including dry mouth, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Abuse of Tylenol 3 can lead to internal hemorrhaging, kidney problems culminating in kidney failure, liver damage, and an overall lack of coordination.

Treatment

• An addiction to codeine usually includes a psychological dependency in addition to the physical dependency. Treating such a problem requires mental and physical detoxification. This includes being safely weaned off the drug plus therapy and counseling. Codeine addiction can lead to death. Therefore, it is best to seek professional help, which is available in many treatment institutions across the country.