Had codeine physical or mental dependence liability since it ia an opiate (like morphine) ?

Yes: Codeine dependency is less common, but mainly because it has more side effects - itching, flushing, diarrhea, stomach cramps - than do other opioids. In the late 19th century, Codeine abuse was epidemic in the US, particularly among Native Americans. In Russia, Codeine was available OTC, and was cooked into a horrible drug called Krokodil, which causes massive skin and organ damage.