This project explores how codeine users negotiate their identities through symbolic boundary work and its relevance for people using other psychoactive substances that also function as medicines. Symbolic boundary work describes how individuals draw distinctions between themselves and others to maintain a positive self-image and navigate stigma.

The project shows how these boundaries shape perceptions of “functional” versus “dysfunctional” use and influence users’ self-narratives. It also highlights the value of sociological concepts for psychology, offering insights into identity, self-perception, and social influences on substance use. Understanding these processes can inform therapeutic practice by clarifying users’ beliefs and self-understanding. This is especially important in the context of the opioid crisis and broader concerns about the overuse of medicinal substances. At the same time, as substances like cannabis or psychedelics are increasingly used therapeutically, the boundary between medicine and psychoactive use can become blurred.

Codeine, a weak opioid with analgesic, psychoactive, and cough-suppressing properties, occupies a unique position between medical and non-medical use. In countries such as Poland it is widely available over the counter and often perceived as safe, yet it carries addictive potential. Its dual role blurs conventional boundaries and complicates classifications of users. Many codeine users create symbolic boundaries to separate themselves from stigmatized or stereotypical users, portraying their use as controlled or justified while viewing others’ as excessive. Some identify as “respectable addicts,” maintaining social and professional functioning despite problematic use.

Preliminary findings come from a Polish online forum, where codeine is the most discussed opioid, and are compared with international research based on interviews with users, considering differences in availability. The study shows how symbolic boundary work provides a nuanced understanding of identity, self-perception, and social context, demonstrating that sociological concepts can enrich psychological research and practice.