Tramadol Addiction and Rehabilitation

   Dec. 7, 2014
   22 minute read
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Last Edited: March 17, 2020
Author
Patricia Howard, LMFT, CADC
Clinically Reviewed
Jim Brown, CDCA
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and certified by an addiction professional.

Dangers of Tramadol Abuse

When it comes to the prescription Opiate Analgesics such as Tramadol, there are myriad dangers that accompany abuse. Many people are prescribed Tramadol for a legitimate physical pain and are unaware of the dangerous complications of taking the drug. The longer a person takes Tramadol the more probable developing a tolerance to it is.

Tolerance means you have adapted to the dose and it no longer has the same effect, therefore a higher dose is needed. This is a clear sign of the development of an addiction as the person will need an ever-increasing amount of the drug to experience the effect. With fluctuating dosages, people tend to try to self-medicate, which is another symptom of addiction. Some people are at risk for using the drug to mask emotional pain as opposed to physical pain.

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This escape from reality is a clear sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed for the person to be healthy. As a Narcotic prescription, Tramadol can still result in addiction and physical dependence, like that of Opium, Heroin and its street born counterparts.

Street Names for Tramadol

For those who develop a tolerance and dependence to Tramadol, abuse of the drug is a high risk. Abuse of often leads to illicitly purchasing the drug. For individuals who illicitly use Tramadol, street names are often made up to cover up the illegal activity and keep behavior secretive.  There are a few different street names used in reference to Tramadol distribution and abuse. Some of the street names for Tramadol include:

  • Ultras
  • Chill Pills
  • OxyContin lite
  • Trammies

Tramadol Effects

The effects produced by Tramadol are twofold. First, it binds to the Opiate receptors in the brain. Secondly, the drug blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitters known as Serotonin and Norepinephrine. Tramadol is estimated to be equivalent in potency to prescription Codeine. The drug is also approximated at about one tenth of the potency of Morphine. Tramadol works for a matter of hours, typically prescribed to take every 6 to 8 hours. Overall, the effects of Tramadol are likely to vary from person to person. The most common effects caused by Tramadol use are:  sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, headache, nervousness, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, muscle tightness, changes in mood, heartburn or indigestion, constipation and dry mouth.

Warning signs of Tramadol abuse in a loved one

When Tramadol abuse is taking place in your home or a loved one is afflicted with the disease of addiction, some warning signs will often be present. If your loved one is physically dependent on Tramadol, he or she will experience symptoms of withdrawal shortly after the last dose taken. Psychological dependence is quite common among individuals who use Tramadol. When addicted to Tramadol or other substances, an individual will display signs of secrecy or even become defensive over the substance.

If your loved one has been prescribed Tramadol by a doctor and he or she has been drinking Alcohol while under the influence of the medication, this is a huge warning sign. He or she may be using the drug recreationally and have developed an addiction to Tramadol.

Has your loved one began to neglect daily tasks and been unable to fulfill responsibilities or social obligations? These signs, presented in a loved one’s life who has recent been prescribed Tramadol, may indicate that he or she is struggling with addiction.

Has your loved one started to engage in strange behaviors, including secretiveness or defensiveness about his or her prescription medication? Has he or she begun to crush prescription pills before swallowing them? These are signs of substance abuse disorder.

Factual Dangers: Tramadol

Tramadol has the potential to be abused and poses a high risk of addiction. Addiction to Tramadol can happen to anyone. For the individuals that Tramadol addiction impacts, every aspect of living changes. Tramadol abuse and addiction steals a person’s ability to make choices and vanishes his or her free-will. Understanding the whole impact that Tramadol can have on a person’s life is important, especially if you are concerned for a loved one.

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