TRAMADOL: ADDICTION AND ABUSE

WHAT IS TRAMADOL AND WHY IT IS USED?

 Tramadol is an opioid painkiller used to treat moderate to severe pain (especially in adults). It is sold under the brand name Ultram.

Although it is less potent and less habit-forming than other prescription opioids, it can still become abusive and addictive for users who consume it frequently and for a longer period.

 

POTENTIAL ADDICTION RISKS IN TAKING TRAMADOL

 No matter whether one follows a healthy routine (like daily exercising or healthy dieting), one is always at a risk for diseases. But we can say there are fewer chances if one is sincerely doing so than someone ignorant of his health.

Similarly, tramadol can still become addictive for people, who use it under the guidelines of their healthcare provider. But it is observed that tramadol has severe effects like an addiction (and death in some cases) to a larger extent in people, who had misused & consumed it more than recommended or without consultation with a doctor. 60% of people, in 2012-2013, who used painkillers like tramadol got the drug from a friend or a relative.

Tramadol is no exception, like any other addiction, starts with a strong sensitivity to the addictive initially, and then, increases in its tolerance after frequent uses. And withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly.

When tramadol is used frequently over a prolonged period, many people developed a strong tolerance to those doses. That means they require a higher and higher volume of doses to get the same effects.

Also, when they stopped consuming the dose, people have experienced withdrawal symptoms like irritability, depression, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms. Such conditions of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms can cause dependence on these drugs. This may show some signs of tramadol addiction, neurobiological diseases, frequent cravings for the drug, relationship problems, uncontrollable use of tramadol, etc.

 

PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE ON TRAMADOL

 Tramadol has a mechanism that is found in all substance abuse and addictions. It potentially affects the GABA in the brain, which decreases neuron activity and dopamine production, and other neurotransmitters in the brain.

It may have shown mild effects, in some studies. But mostly, other studies have shown a physical and mental dependence on the drug. A lot of effects depend on the previous history of alcohol or substance abuse.

 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFECTS

 Might be less potent than other prescription painkillers, but tramadol has adverse physical and mental effects over some time.

Listed below are a few of them:

 

Slow breathing and slow heart rate.NauseaStomach upsetVomitingDepression and anxietyConfusionInability to concentrateIncreased risk-taking behavior

 

Overdose can cause an increase in the symptoms listed above. It can cause slow breathing that ultimately leads to a state of coma or death.

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

 Withdrawal symptoms are symptoms that are observed in patients who stopped taking their medicines without a doctor’s consultation. Tramadol, being too addictive, has severe withdrawal symptoms that the body shows up when it has a dependent on this drug.

Listed below are a few of them:

 

SeizuresTremorsShiveringTinglingHallucinationDepressionAggressionInsomniaFlu-like symptoms

 

These symptoms are very uncomfortable for the patients. Even though, Tramadol is considered to be safe.

 

SOME COMMON DRUG COMBINATIONS WITH TRAMADOL

 Almost 84% of patients who abused tramadol with other drug combinations or overdosed had developed seizures within 24 hours, according to a study in 2005. Tramadol is reactive with other substances. As it works in the CNS (Central Nervous System), and when reacts with other abusive substances gives combined results like seizures that are dangerous to health. It can also lead to respiratory depression which slows down breathing and finally leads to death.

 

Tramadol is abused when combined with the following drugs listed below:

 

AlcoholOther PainkillersSedativesSleeping pillsCold medicines

 

It is very dangerous to mix tramadol with the above CNS depressants. It can multiply the effects of addiction and naturally, developing an addiction risk is higher that can cause seizures and overdose.

 

ALWAYS TAKE TRAMADOL AS DIRECTED BY THE DOCTOR

 As discussed above, 60% of people, in 2012-2013, who used painkillers like tramadol got the drug from a friend or a relative. This won’t be correct when we don’t have proper knowledge about any medicine and its side effects. Sometimes, it could show some mild effects that won’t harm you much. But it may harm you badly if you are not aware of its consequences.

A doctor can monitor your present condition, based on real knowledge about your previous and current medical conditions or previous substance abuse history. And, choose whether the current problem is bigger or the side effects. He can monitor you based on your response to a medicine.

In the case of tramadol, there are plenty of side effects associated with it which may cost the life of the patient. That’s why it is very tightly regulated by law. A prescription is required to take tramadol.

 

Thanks for reading.