Long-term codeine use is associated with depressive symptoms

A community survey was conducted among longterm (>6 months) users of codein e-containing products to characterize chronic use of these extensively cons umed medications. Respondents recruited through newspaper advertisements co mpleted a mailed questionnaire. Three hundred thirty-nine completed questio nnaires were obtained, yielding a response rate of 70%. Codeine dependence/ abuse as defined by DSM-IV criteria was present in 41% of the respondents. Two thirds of the subjects had sought help for mental health problems, most often depression (70%). Scores on the Symptom Checklist-90 subscales were modestly elevated, particularly on the Depression subscale (1.2 +/- 0.9). L ong-term codeine use is strongly associated with dependence. Depression and depressive symptoms are common. These data suggest that dysphoric mood sta tes may be significant in maintaining long-term codeine use.