Opioid addiction is a serious issue in the United States. With around 49,860 opioid-related deaths in 2019, the continual fight against the opioid crisis is essential to learn about how to help others avoid suffering from substance use disorder with tramadol.
Any person who takes opioids like tramadol is at an increased risk of developing substance use disorder. Many things go into a person’s risk factors for developing an addiction, like:
Individuals with parents, grandparents or other family members who suffer from substance use disorder are at a higher risk of developing an addiction to tramadol. This factor accounts for the influence genetics has on addiction and a person’s risk level.
If an individual has a history of abuse or trauma, this factor may influence their risk for substance use disorder. Individuals may try to self-medicate with substances like tramadol to attempt to block out negative feelings regarding trauma.
An individual’s environment can play a role in their likelihood of developing substance use disorder. This includes having easy access to substances like tramadol or using tramadol at an early age.
Individuals with mental health conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, depression or bipolar disorder may have an increased risk for developing substance use disorder. People may attempt to self-medicate for these existing conditions.
These factors can help explain why some people can use substances regularly and not develop an addiction and why others do develop substance use disorder. Opioids like tramadol have certain characteristics that make the occurrence of addiction much more common.
Tramadol, like other opioids, triggers the brain to release endorphins. These feel-good chemicals can make individuals feel an overwhelmingly positive or euphoric sensation. These strong feelings and symptoms impact the brain’s reward system, encouraging individuals to continue using substances like tramadol to repeat the euphoria or “high” emotions.
If you’re contemplating how to stop taking your prescription tramadol, you may already be struggling with a dependence or even an addiction to this drug. Opioid addiction does not always seem obvious to someone who has one.
Signs and symptoms of substance use for any type of drug or alcohol often look similar, so knowing what to look for can help a family member or loved one who’s struggling. A professional opioid addiction screening can also help you determine if you have an addiction. During one of these appointments, an expert will learn about your symptoms and behaviors to provide a diagnosis. As a disease, opioid addiction can receive treatment that reduces its effects.
A person who continues to misuse tramadol can experience potentially harmful effects from the substance. Health effects as dangerous as seizures have been reported in individuals who regularly use tramadol over long periods. Taking the signs and symptoms of tramadol addiction seriously can help save a person’s life and lead them down a healthier path to improving their overall well-being.
These signs may show that you or someone you know has an addiction to tramadol or another opioid:
A tramadol addiction may also show physical signs that are important to look out for. Determining these indicators early on can help individuals seek treatment sooner. These physical signs include:
When you get help for your tramadol addiction, you can find relief from its side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The side effects of tramadol include:
People may experience more severe symptoms when they take higher doses of tramadol or if they’re engaging in polydrug use. The severe symptoms of tramadol use include seizures, central nervous system depression, coma or death.
Another major side effect of misusing tramadol is developing serotonin syndrome. This condition occurs when the brain releases an excess of serotonin because of medications like tramadol. Serotonin is necessary for the brain and nerve cells to function, but too much can negatively impact the body over time.
High levels of serotonin will collect in the body and can cause an array of symptoms, including:
People may experience serotonin syndrome once they start increasing their dosage of tramadol or start using another substance or medication at the same time. Both a higher dose and another substance can increase the amount of serotonin your body releases. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome can start mild and may dissipate after a few days. If substance use continues, the symptoms may become more severe and possibly require medical attention.
During tramadol use, anyone can develop a dependence over time. A tramadol dependence causes the body to rely on opioids for basic functions, resulting in withdrawal symptoms without the drug. You could have a tramadol dependence if you have these symptoms when you stop taking it:
Tramadol overdoses can result in stopped breathing that may cause death or brain damage. Getting tramadol addiction treatment can help you lower your risk of overdose and help you stop taking opioids.
At Gateway Foundation, we offer multiple levels of care that are suited to your specific needs. The care you need will depend on your situation and where you currently are in the recovery process.
Withdrawal symptoms can begin hours after halting the use of tramadol or significantly lowering the dosage. Many factors contribute to the duration and severity of the withdrawal process, like the time spent using tramadol, co-occurring disorders or the tramadol dosage.
The average time someone will experience withdrawal symptoms is around two weeks. The timeline will look like this:
General symptoms will begin.
Cravings for tramadol continue and people may experience insomnia or confusion.
Symptoms of withdrawal should start to lessen. Mental health problems like anxiety or depression may continue.
Even when tramadol is used as prescribed under a doctor’s supervision, users can experience adverse reactions. However, the danger of tramadol lies in its addictive nature and potential for misuse, which can put users at risk for severe side effects or even overdose. Misuse could include:
Guidelines help reduce the risk of addiction to substances like tramadol, but people can still begin illicitly using their prescription for reasons other than managing pain. People may take more tramadol than their doctor prescribes to feel a sense of euphoria or a “high” from the substance. Individuals may deliberately take more than their prescription lists, which can put them at risk for accidental overdose. A person may also miss a dose of their tramadol and take two in the same day, which can produce strong symptoms or increase overdose risk.
The opioid epidemic in the United States impacts individuals with and without a prescription. Tramadol is only available through a prescription, but opioids like tramadol can be bought on the streets for a steeper price. Individuals will intentionally misuse the illicit tramadol to experience its symptoms by consuming it orally or crushing tablets or capsules and snorting them.
Polydrug use describes using multiple substances at once. People may use tramadol along with other drugs or alcohol to intensify or prolong symptoms. Polydrug use is also common for people who attempt to self-medicate for their physical or mental health problems. Common substances people take alongside tramadol include other painkillers, alcohol, sleeping pills, benzodiazepines and cold medicine. The risk of developing an addiction to tramadol is higher with polydrug use.
Any type of illicit use of tramadol is harmful to an individual’s life. Illicit use of tramadol can potentially lead to a dependency or addiction depending on the person’s use and risk.
Unfortunately, tramadol misuse seems to be on the rise. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that the number of tramadol-related emergency room visits increased by 250% in just over five years. Regardless of whether an opioid is considered safe, users must be cautious to ensure they don’t develop an addiction to the drug.
People tend to use the words dependence and addiction interchangeably, but there are specific differences between each word. It’s common for people who know someone with substance use disorder to describe their behavior as having an addiction or a dependency on alcohol or drugs. It’s helpful to know the difference between both terms to describe a person’s behavior or condition with the correct words.
Check out the different characteristics of each term and see why it’s important to use words like addiction, dependency or substance use disorder in the right context.
The word dependence describes a person’s physical or psychological loss of control with substance use. Dependency can bring strong withdrawal symptoms when someone stops taking the substance or has trouble mentally separating themselves from the substance. A person struggling with dependency on a substance doesn’t always suffer from addiction, but addiction can follow after continued misuse.
A physical dependence can also describe an individual’s growing tolerance to a substance. A person with a tramadol prescription may notice they need higher doses of it to feel the effects of the pain reliever. This physical dependence can trigger withdrawal symptoms with a sudden stop in taking the prescription. Doctors will likely recommend slowly lowering the doses to prevent strong symptoms of substance dependence.
Addiction, or substance use disorder, is a condition where an individual has lost control over their use of drugs or alcohol despite knowing the negative consequences it inflicts on their life. This term describes a person’s intense obsession or cravings for a substance, like tramadol, to the point where their life is completely changed.
Individuals struggling with addiction will experience their lives slowly being taken over by the substance. Their compulsive need to obtain and use the substance can impact their work, education, family life and other relationships.
A person who has substance use disorder or is suffering from another addiction may show chemical differences in their brain compared to individuals who don’t suffer from addiction. Addiction can be a much more severe condition and require a more involved treatment process than a person struggling with dependency.
Substance use disorder impacts the individual suffering from the chronic condition and the people closest to them. If you suspect a loved one or yourself is suffering from substance use disorder, you likely have already noticed symptoms or signs. There are plenty of ways to learn whether you or a loved one needs to seek treatment for tramadol addiction. Check out the five signs or changes to look out for with substance use disorder:
Substances like tramadol can take a big toll on someone’s psychological function. Tramadol can impair a person’s thought process or ability to make appropriate judgments. You may notice signs of psychological changes in a loved one or yourself, like new sleep patterns, mentions of self-harm or suicide, an increase or decrease in confidence or hallucinations.
Tramadol can inflict harmful effects on a person’s physical health. People often notice various physical signs or symptoms of tramadol use, like small pupils, weight loss or poor coordination.
Substance use disorder can strain close relationships as the condition worsens. Some signs that indicate relation issues include isolation from loved ones, violent arguments, marital problems, missing work or school and having a hard time holding conversations.
Individuals may use certain drug paraphernalia when going through substance use disorder. If you suspect a loved one is suffering from substance use disorder, look out for paraphernalia that may indicate their condition. For tramadol, look for tablet or capsule bottles or tinctures for liquid tramadol.
Major lifestyle changes can point to substance use disorder. Situations like experiencing lowered grades in school, losing a job or having trouble keeping a job, sneaking around or losing interest in hobbies or activities could be indicators.
Learning that a loved one is struggling with addiction can bring up various emotions. One of the first questions you may ask yourself is how you can help them through this condition. Encouraging recovery and supporting them is possible when you learn what steps you should take.
Once you determine that your loved one is struggling with a tramadol addiction, you can start trying to help them out. Here are five things you can do to assist someone you care about who’s struggling with substance use disorder:
Substance use disorder is a chronic condition. Individuals struggle with this disease and can have a difficult time getting through recovery on their own. It’s best to show compassion to your loved one and express that you’re willing to learn about their condition and help them in any way you can.
The recovery process can be challenging. You should expect ups and downs to occur and always focus on helping your loved one get back on track. Some setbacks people may encounter include fighting the stigma of addiction, feeling shameful or being in denial of their substance use disorder.
It’s important to find treatment for your loved one, but it’s also beneficial to find counseling services for yourself to get through this time. Counseling or therapy sessions can help you express your feelings or concerns throughout your loved one’s recovery.
Learning about substance use disorder can help you and your loved one during their recovery process. Learning how people can develop an addiction and the best ways to assist someone in overcoming their condition is beneficial for helping the person you care about through their recovery.
After you learn about your loved one’s substance use disorder, it’s important to express your concern for their well-being. This conversation may seem uncomfortable, but it’s necessary to let your loved one know you’re worried about them and want to help them seek treatment.
Tramadol is available in various dosage forms, including:
Tramadol’s appearance differs depending on drug manufacturers, brands and dosage types. Tramadol tablets or capsules may appear round or oval in shape and white in color. Tablets or capsules may also come in various other colors depending on the prescription. Liquid tramadol or tramadol suspension will come in small vials with tinctures or oral syringes to administer doses.
When people consume tramadol, the effects surface gradually and become the strongest around the four- or six-hour mark. Tramadol copies the effects of the body’s pain-relief system, which may cause individuals to feel relaxed or euphoric.
Tramadol was first created in 1962 in Germany for treating pain. It took time for the drug to go through testing and approvals to bring it to the world market. When tramadol was first approved in the United States in 1995, the drug was not considered an opiate like oxycodone or morphine even though it acted on the body in similar ways. Soon, the use of tramadol became associated with cases of misuse and addiction among patients.
This association led the FDA to designate tramadol as a controlled substance in 2014. This designation means that tramadol has accepted medical use, but patients must be monitored because of its potential for misuse and addiction. Regulations include lower prescription refills and new prescriptions needed every six months.
Tramadol continued to grow in popularity, as it’s known for being a less-potent opioid. Tramadol is listed as a Schedule IV drug by the DEA. The Schedule IV label describes drugs, chemicals and other substances that carry a low potential for misuse and low risk of dependency. These substances require careful medical monitoring while patients take doses of them.
Tramadol prescriptions are monitored through a program called Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). The Opioid Analgesic REMS program started after its approval in 2018, providing a plan to help reduce the risk of opioid misuse, dependency, addiction, overdose and death. The other main goal of the Opioid Analgesic REMS program is to ensure the benefits of opioids, like tramadol, outweigh the risks.
This initiative requires training programs to be available for all health care providers who work to manage patients’ pain, which can apply to doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Opioid Analgesic REMS helps these health care providers learn how to select the appropriate opioid, write prescriptions and provide the best medical oversight to ensure patients continue to have a low risk for developing an addiction.
Although there are programs like REMS and other medical monitoring initiatives for tramadol and similar substances, patients seeking treatment for tramadol addiction or dependency are still common in rehabilitation centers. With people misusing their prescriptions or finding tramadol on the streets, tramadol addiction treatment is a necessity to help them find their way back to a healthy life.
Doctors most often prescribe tramadol to relieve pain in adult patients. Tramadol is available in an extended-release form, which can be used for continual pain management. However, patients should not use this form of tramadol on an as-needed basis. Physicians commonly recommend tramadol for osteoarthritis patients or those with other chronically painful conditions.
All forms of tramadol, including tablets, capsules, oral liquids and solutions, are consumed orally. Individuals with a tramadol prescription will take their medication as prescribed by their doctor. Tramadol is typically taken with or without food around every four to six hours. People with a tramadol prescription should also go through the medication guide the pharmacist provides before taking their medication.
Individuals taking the liquid form of tramadol should use a special measuring spoon for medicine to ensure they’re consuming the right dosage. Dosage levels for liquid tramadol and other forms vary depending on the individual and other health conditions. It’s important for people to ask their doctors or pharmacists questions if they need help understanding the right way to take tramadol.
It’s best for individuals to take their prescribed tramadol during the first signs of pain to benefit the most from the medication. Some people may require long-acting tramadol to treat their ongoing pain, like patients with arthritis.
Taking a tramadol prescription for a long time may introduce symptoms of withdrawal with sudden halts to taking the medication. Doctors will commonly begin gradually lowering an individual’s dosage to prevent them from experiencing symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Doctors and medical professionals will weigh the risk of tramadol use before writing the prescription, especially for individuals with a high risk of or a history of substance use disorder. Taking the medication as prescribed is the best way to reduce the risk of dependency, but the doctor will explain everything about the substance, like its intended use and health risks.
Tramadol withdrawal is different from other opioids because of how the substance acts as a pain reliever. Tramadol relieves pain by:
Because it relieves pain in two ways, people can experience two types of withdrawals — traditional opioid withdrawal and atypical opioid withdrawal. Each produces different types of symptoms.
The symptoms of traditional opioid withdrawal include:
Atypical opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
A big reason why people find it difficult to stop using tramadol and other opioids is the withdrawal process. The symptoms can be intense and can hinder the recovery process if patients can’t make it through withdrawal. When searching for the best treatment option, it’s best to find a tramadol treatment center with a medical detox program.
Medical detox services or withdrawal management is an excellent program for people seeking recovery from tramadol use. This program provides patients with a safe and effective place to go through withdrawal symptoms and detox from tramadol. Patients will have access to around-the-clock care from medical professionals and medication that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox services can address the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.
When symptoms of withdrawal become too intense for the patient to handle, a doctor can prescribe medications to help reduce them. Medication-assisted treatment is an effective option for many individuals going through tramadol recovery. These medications include:
Opiate addiction clinics like Gateway help patients like you transform their lives. With the support of your care team, you can:
Treatment programs for tramadol addiction give you the tools and resources you need to set recovery goals and achieve them.
Modern opiate addiction treatment combines medication with therapy and social services. The typical elements of a tramadol addiction treatment plan include:
By addressing the ways that addiction affects your life, tramadol rehabilitation treatment can greatly improve your chance of a successful recovery. Your care team will help you figure out if you will benefit more from an inpatient or outpatient program.
High-quality treatment facilities like Gateway Foundation provide the best care for patients to help them succeed in recovery. It’s important to find a treatment center that offers everything you need to become healthier and learn how to cope with this chronic condition.
Your tramadol addiction treatment center should:
Explore the latest resources from Gateway Foundation.
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