Gym fanatic, 28, almost dies after toothache triggers a 50 pills-a-day codeine addiction

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Troy Garrod (pictured) has told how he almost died after his toothache triggered a 50 pill-a-day codeine addiction

A gym fanatic has told how he almost died after his toothache triggered a 50 pill-a-day codeine addiction. 

Troy Garrod resorted to driving from chemist to chemist - some more than 30 miles from his home in Norwich - to get his fix of the powerful painkiller.

The 28-year-old became reliant on the tablets to numb his toothache and took as many as 51,000 codeine pills over seven years as the addiction took hold of his life. 

But he had a terrifying wake-up call last week when he started vomiting blood and was hospitalised with severe pain caused by potentially lethal ulcers that had eroded his stomach lining.

'What started as a painkiller for a small tooth problem became a serious addiction which I wouldn't wish on anyone,' Mr Garrod said.

'It spiralled out of control and I was taking up to 50 per day, which nearly killed me because of the ibuprofen intake.

'I got rushed into hospital last week with severe pains in my stomach. I woke up in the worst agony that I have ever experienced in my life. 

'I had loads of internal ulcers and I had to have a couple of blood transfusion procedures for my ruptured stomach walls.'

After five days in hospital, Mr Garrod is now codeine free and set to make a full recovery.

He now wants to share his story to educate others about the dangers of substance abuse.

The 28-year-old became reliant on the tablets to numb his toothache and took as many as 51,000 codeine pills over seven years as the addiction took hold of his life

He had a terrifying wake-up call last week when he was hospitalised (right) with severe pain caused by potentially lethal ulcers that had eroded his stomach lining

The fitness fanatic was first prescribed with codeine in 2009 after he developed severe toothache.

But he was not aware the painkiller can become addictive if taken for long periods of time.

After being made redundant, he became reliant on the £7 per packet drug every day. 

He would drive up to 30 miles from home to get his fix without anyone recognising him.

'Originally the codeine was a massive help and it prevented awful toothache that I had.

After five days in hospital, Mr Garrod is now codeine free and set to make a full recovery

The fitness fanatic was first prescribed with codeine in 2009 after he developed severe toothache

'I just started taking more and more but until it got out of control, I was spending so much money on them as well.

'I was travelling to different chemists around Norfolk to buy codeine so that each one didn't recognise me if I went back. 

'It was an easy addiction to hide because on the outside, until my stomach ulcers, I looked well and I went to the gym every day.'

Doctors advised Mr Garrod to stop taking the powerful drug, but he was not able to quit his habit. 

'The doctors told me to just stop taking codeine but it simply was not possible,' he said. 

He lost his job working at a book wholesaler last year which brought on depression and made him even more addicted to codeine.

'I lost my job last year and which made me depressed and even more addicted to codeine,' he said.

'I have since been unable to work and my condition deteriorated each month, it was only a matter of time before I was taken to hospital.

'Codeine is so strong and it's banned in so many countries, I know that there are loads of people around the UK who have suffered from the same experience that I have and I need to raise awareness for this issue.

'Thankfully I'm in recovery now but hopefully my story can inspire people to speak out and get the confidence to ask for help.'