Opinions - Codeine and driving.

[Razorbladekiss]

Ello all.
My Dalek was wondering if any one could tell him how long you would have to wait before driving after taking codeine.

Also does the the amount you take effect how long you should wait?

I spose he's asking because in an alcohol context if you drink enough units and go to sleep, waking up the next day and driving its possible for you to be arrested for drink driving still.

He knows the half life is 3-6 hours but because of the groggy-ness in the morning he was worried about any implications from the night before. The effects have clearly worn off but as he just mentioned. Hes worried about the groggy-ness

Cheers.

[Razorbladekiss]

Just for the record.

My Dalek took nearly 340mg recently, and over the cource of 18 hours he still felt the effects.

He couldnt find any other information on codeine and driving. So he'd just like to say obviously if you dont feel up to it dont drive. But if any one has any scientific information about the half life he'd appreciate that.

He read the half life of codeine was 2.5 hours ... but he feels theres more to it than that.

[diffs]

Swim has had a look through a couple of medical books and from the a medical point of view there dont seem to be any hard and fast rules. They all just state that caution and common sense are to be used as opiates can effect the way we drive. Also i suppose they don't take into account the high doses that recreational users take.

Im afraid swim doesn't have a definative answer but would advise to use cation, because if one is stopped by the police you can be arrested for being under the influence of drugs, and that carries the same penalties as drink driving. A ban, a fine of up to £5000 or up to 6 months in prison. The police don't have a road-side breathaliser as such, but see below.

[top]Taking the drugs test

The new Field Impairment Test (FIT) is designed to identify those driving under the influence of drugs.
The test borrows on the experience of Police in the USA who, without the breathalyser, have used it to catch drunken as well as drug abusing drivers.

They are expected to be able identify the drug which is causing the bad driving.
Taking the test - Five stages

• A pupil dilation test. Designed to test for presence of drugs.
• Counting out 30 seconds. Drug users either under-read or over-read time.
• Walking in a straight line nine paces forward and then back. This classic test checks co-ordination and balance.
• Raising a foot in the air six to eight inches off the ground. Designed to test balance.
• Touching finger to nose with eyes closed. This tests co-ordination.

There is no such requirement in the United Kingdom.
Instead motorists will be asked to undertake five exercises designed to reveal symptoms of drug taking.
In the first test a suspect's pupils are examined for signs of dilation or constriction.
Police concede it is difficult for even a sober person to pass easily.
Other tests measure the ability to co-ordinate two tasks simultaneously.
In the Romburg Test officers ask motorists to stand up straight and tilt their head back, close their eyes and count to 30.
Swaying and losing count are signs of an impaired ability to drive.
Next, suspects have to walk nine paces in a straight line, heel to toe, in a scene reminiscent of many a Hollywood movie.
After standing on one leg, alternating between left and right, it is time for the last test.
In this test, officers ask a suspect to touch the end of their nose with their index finger three times, using both left and right hands.

[top]Blood tests

So what happens if a driver does badly in the five-point test?At present if a driver alerts suspicion, a doctor is called and further tests and assessments will be made.

This may include a blood test although the cost of administering one of these is about £250.
The Police hope the new sobriety tests will deter those under the influence of drugs from taking to the wheel.
The tests are currently voluntary but they will become compulsory later this year.

[top]How drugs can affect driving

Drugs can affect drivers in a number of ways ranging from impaired concentration to poor reaction times:
Cannabis Impaired concentration resulting in slower driver reaction times. Impaired steering control and co-ordination. The drug can also induce feelings of paranoia, drowsiness and disorientation.
Cocaine This stimulant drug can result in drivers misjudging speed and stopping distances. The drug can give drivers a feeling of overconfidence, which can lead to aggressive driving and increased risk taking. Ecstasy This stimulant drug has hallucinogenic properties and can distort the driver's vision and affect concentration. Drivers under the influence of "E" show a significant decrease in their awareness of road dangers followed by severe fatigue the following day. LSD: This hallucinogenic drug can strongly influence a driver's senses. Drivers may react to objects or sounds that aren't there, placing themselves and other road users in danger. Opiates Opiates lead to slower reaction time, lethargy, sleepiness and impaired co-ordination. Tranquillisers These drugs may impair driver reaction times and can cause drowsiness.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Very nice collection of information.

[Razorbladekiss]

Brilliant post Diffs. Id give you more rep but the forum wont let me haha.


Very good information thanks a bunch. The only thing your info dont specifiy is the duration of intoxication which would be a great help. But as one can imagine the pharmacology from person to person is completely unique. But I thank you for your input.

I read that codeine has a half life if 2.5 - 3 hours. But does any one know in what context? 100mg? 400mg?

What the goverment should be doing is researching these things and giving it to the people in black and white. But thats another story ;-)


Cheers

[diffs]

Unfortunately there isn't really any info on duration of intoxication when it comes to recreational doses. For medicanal doses (up to 60mg) the effects usually wear off after 6 hours. One would presume that this would be the case for higher doses aswell, although swiy reports he still feels the effects of 340mg after 18hrs. I guess each person is different and there for, there probably isn't a definative answer.

Again, the only advice given by medical bods is to see how codeine effects you before driving. There doesn't seem to be a black and white answer. There is probably a difference between actually being intoxicated and feeling groggy.

Im sorry i can't provide more info than this. All one can really do is use common sense. Go with how you feel. If the half life is 3 hours, then maybe leave 8-10 hours before driving just to make sure. This is just guess work lol.

As to the context of the half life, im guessing its all relative. If the half life is 3hrs and you have taken 100mg then you will be feeling the effects of 50mg after 3hrs. 200mg and you will feel the effects of 100mg. 300 = 150mg after 3 hrs and so on. This is just me kinda thinking out loud. Could be talking shit

What are your thoughts on it?

[3xtr4]

Originally Posted by Razorbladekiss

Brilliant post Diffs. Id give you more rep but the forum wont let me haha.


Very good information thanks a bunch. The only thing your info dont specifiy is the duration of intoxication which would be a great help. But as one can imagine the pharmacology from person to person is completely unique. But I thank you for your input.

I read that codeine has a half life if 2.5 - 3 hours. But does any one know in what context? 100mg? 400mg?

What the goverment should be doing is researching these things and giving it to the people in black and white. But thats another story ;-)


Cheers

Half life seems means the time it takes for 50% of a substance to "decay". So if the half life of codeine is 3 hours, it will take 3 hours for the dose to half regardless of its size.

For example - 300mg

T + 0.00 = 300mg
T + 3.00 = 150mg
T + 6.00 = 75mg

And so on.

[Razorbladekiss]

My Dalek never usually feels the effects after 18 hours that was a rather fortunate fluke. But still, He can appreciate there is no definitive answer and everyones different.

Dont worry about providing man its all good your first post was extremely informative.

Regarding the half life, its weird. Like he said, he never usually has an effect lasting all day. He just took a little more than he usually does and common sense told him he was still somewhat intoxicated.

I like your idea on the half life that does make sense and shows it in a new light. Hopefully someone else can varrify that!

I think if swiy is gonna be driving the day after that someone takes codeine. They better feel confident within themselves. And if people similar to my Dalek need a sign. Try the mirror if your eyes are glassy chances are your still under the influence.

Thanks for your input Diffs