Tramadol Addiction

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Tramadol Addiction

Tramadol is a synthetic substance, designed for usage in treating patients with moderate to severe pain in the form of a painkiller.

Tramadol is only available as a prescription drug, meaning that individuals must be prescribed this drug by a healthcare professional before they can begin usage.

When used correctly and following medical professionals’ advice, then the individual is unlikely to become addicted to the substance, but any use beyond that for which it was originally proposed can create further issues (1).

If tramadol is taken for a long period of time or against medical professionals’ advice, then it is possible for individuals to develop a tramadol addiction.

This means that they will continuously seek the substance, consuming more and more of it to gain the same effects as when they initially consumed it.

This is known as an addiction and is also linked to dependence on the substance.

When an individual is dependent on tramadol, they are unlikely to be able to go about their daily lives and maintain certain life aspects such as their career, relationships, and finances.

This can have a severe impact on both their physical and mental wellbeing, as well as affecting those around them.

Is tramadol addictive?

As mentioned above, any individual who takes tramadol for reasons other than its initial prescription or against medical professionals’ advice has a likelihood of becoming addicted to this substance.

In general, this is due to the fact that tramadol falls under the opioid category of substances but is also due to the reasons in which it is prescribed.

For example, if an individual is prescribed tramadol as a painkiller for an ongoing issue, then they may continue to take it in higher and higher quantities in order to combat the pain.

Though this is against the instruction that they are likely to have received from their medical professional, it is still possible, and the highest level of care should be taken when reducing the among consumed.

Tramadol also carries a higher chance of individuals becoming addicted to it when combined with consumption of another substance such as alcohol (1).

When an individual is addicted to tramadol, their body will start to become dependent on the substance for everyday functioning.

This may mean that tramadol becomes vital to some bodily processes such as the production of essential chemicals and hormones, especially those relating to the easing of pain.

If an individual becomes addicted, it is therefore very difficult to withdraw from the substance due to these changes and alterations that the substance may have had on the body in terms of everyday functioning.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

Signs and symptoms of a tramadol addiction

If an individual becomes addicted to tramadol, then there are some key signs and symptoms to look out for, either in yourself or in someone you know.

In some cases, it may be challenging to determine whether or not someone is addicted to a substance, and this is especially true for lesser-known substances such as tramadol.

However, there are some key features that individuals can look for.

The most common of these are outlined below:

• Compulsive tramadol usage – this is the most common. If an individual is continuously taking tramadol, even without symptoms that it is otherwise prescribed for, then this indicates an issue
• Mood swings – tramadol can trigger some individuals to begin to change moods unpredictably, especially when confronted with the issues surrounding tramadol and their consumption
• Consuming more tramadol than prescribed/needed – if the individual goes beyond their initial dosage without consultation from their medical professional, then this can indicate an addiction
• Nausea and/or vomiting – this is a side effect of using tramadol, making it more common with increased or incorrect usage
• Withdrawal symptoms upon stopping usage – this is a strong indicator that someone may be dependent but not addicted. This should be monitored with the advice of the individual’s medical professional
• Use of tramadol continues even after negative consequences – even if an individual may experience negative consequences as a result of using tramadol, this may not stop then consuming the substance, leading to further and further issues

Dangers associated with a tramadol addiction

As tramadol is an opioid, there are many additional risks that an individual may face when addicted to tramadol compared to other substances that are not in this category of substances.

In addition to the side effects related to these categories of substances, there are also additional effects that individuals may experience if they are addicted.

These symptoms are often related to the high frequency and dosage of usage and are often unrelated to the side effects experienced when taking tramadol as directed by the individual’s medical professional.

As mentioned in one of the signs to look out for, nausea is one of the most common effects experienced whilst taking tramadol. This is also one of the side effects of prescription usage but is likely to be far more severe and uncomfortable when the individual is addicted.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

Confusion is also another extremely common danger of tramadol consumption. When considering the individual’s everyday life, it is easy to see how this may seriously impact important areas of their life e.g., travelling to work, communicating with those around them, carrying out normal everyday functioning.

With most addictions, individuals may also experience considerable issues with mental health such as an increase in the chances of anxious or depressing thoughts.

This can quickly lead to a development or worsening of these disorders, leading to further and further support and rehabilitation that the individual will have to engage in in the future.

In turn, all of these dangers are likely to influence some areas of the individual’s day-to-day life.

Factors such as the individual’s career and relationships have already been mentioned but additional factors such as finances can also be considered within the dangers of a tramadol addiction.

In some countries and regions, these may also be the reasons in which someone may become addicted to tramadol in the first instance (2).

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

How can interventions be used for a tramadol addiction?

In terms of helping someone with a tramadol addiction, there are many steps that can be taken.

One of the most common of these methods is the use of interventions.

Though interventions may typically be seen as a more traditional approach to rehabilitative support, modern adaptations and techniques have shown to be extremely effective.

In most cases, they are used at the beginning of an individual’s journey through rehab, even if this involves the initial acceptance of the addiction itself.

Interventions are most commonly used for individuals who may be in denial.

This means that the initial stages are mainly focussed on encouraging the individual to admit to their addiction and work towards suitable and appropriate rehabilitation options.

Modern intervention approaches, such as the CRAFT approach (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) work on helping individuals welcome new changes into their lives with those around them (3).

This is a highly effective method, as it helps individuals share their experiences of addiction and/or being around someone who is addicted, therefore building relationships simultaneously.

Tramadol detoxification: using tapering

Tramadol is a physically addictive substance. This means that the body becomes dependent on the substance for the production of vital chemicals and hormones.

Because of this, withdrawing from the substance can carry a lot of risk and cause death in some cases.

For this reason, it is important for individuals to carefully monitor and manage their withdrawal.

In most cases, it is recommended that individuals undergo a detox session whilst in the comfort of a dedicated detox clinic.

These are common across the UK, either as an individual establishment or as part of a rehabilitation centre as a whole.

Whilst in a detox clinic, individuals will be carefully monitored and supported, with expert staff and medical intervention available if necessary.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

For individuals with a longer history of addiction, it may be necessary to undergo a process known as tapering. This is designed to slowly transition individuals away from their tramadol dependency and frequent tramadol usage to a tramadol substitute.

This will be a substance that is similar in composition to tramadol, but with the practicality of reducing negative withdrawal effects in the individual.

It is always recommended to follow up using the tapering approach to withdrawal with further treatments and therapies such as those covered in the following paragraph.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

Further therapy for a tramadol addiction

In most cases, individuals who are struggling with an addiction to tramadol are recommended to undergo some form of inpatient treatment.

This refers to treatment within a dedicated rehab centre and is considerably more full-time and effective than the treatments received outside of a centre – otherwise known as outpatient treatment.

In some cases, outpatient treatment may be the only form of treatment required and inpatient may not be suitable for the individual.

This is the most effective form of treatment for these specific cases but must also be fully researched and committed to once the individual begins rehabilitation.

In any case, individuals continuing treatment after a detoxification session should consider therapy, as these are the most effective forms of post-detox treatments concerning the mental wellbeing of the individual, not just the physical withdrawal effects.

Common therapies include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is a well-known and highly effective therapy in the field of addiction.

CBT is specialised and tailored to each individual, meaning that they can gain useful tools and techniques to continue to manage their addiction in the long-term and continue building lifelong coping techniques throughout their lifetime.

Addiction can never be fully ‘cured’ but with the right mindset, commitment, and treatment, and individual is capable of working towards long-term abstinence and a greater physical and mental wellbeing.

Reducing the chances of a future relapse

For an individual to maintain long-term abstinence and work towards a future of higher wellbeing, then they must strive towards continuing their rehabilitation practices long after leaving rehab.

After leaving rehab, the individual will be provided with multiple sources of support. For example, individuals who have undergone rehabilitation with a dedicated rehab centre will often receive one year of complimentary aftercare.

This includes regular meetings with an addiction support officer to monitor the individual’s progress and suggest next steps. The individual will also be able to re-enter the rehab centre if needed in most cases of requirement.

In addition, the individual will also be put in touch with a local addiction support network such as Narcotics Anonymous.

This is a great way for individuals to meet people who have been in similar situations, share their own experiences, and learn from others’ experiences in a safe and supportive fashion.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

As well as this support provided by addiction support providers, there are also many steps that individuals can take within their daily lifestyle.

These are listed below:

• Eating healthy – this is a common suggestion, but generally allows the individual to build a healthier lifestyle and gain energy for everyday activities
• Exercise – this is a great way to build strength and muscle where addiction may have worsened these factors
• Regular sleep – this is also a great way to build a routine and keep the body refreshed and full of energy
• Be aware of triggers and cravings – having a knowledge of these factors will help the individual avoid them, as well as knowing what to expect upon being confronted with them in some situations
• Find alternative medicines – tramadol is predominantly a painkiller so in the instances where this is still necessary, it is essential to speak to a healthcare professional about alternative medicines to aid with pain relief

How Rehab Recovery can help

Rehab Recovery has helped individuals with all forms of addiction, from alcohol and other drugs to lifestyle addictions.

Though a tramadol addiction may not be considered as common an addiction as other substance such as alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, this does not mean that Rehab Recovery does not provide support for individuals struggling with this issue.

Our services provide support and advice for those struggling with addiction, whether they are at the beginning, the middle, or the aftercare stage of their rehab journey.

No matter how trivial or severe the issue may seem, our team are trained to deal with every request in a friendly, non-confidential, and professional manner to provide advice, offer suggestions for next steps, or begin the process of entering a rehab centre.

To discuss a tramadol addiction in your own life or someone you’re concerned about, please call our addiction support line on 0800 088 66 86 today.

References

[1] Batta, A., 2016. TRAMADOL–A Drug to be used cautiously. Int. J. Curr. Res. Med. Sci, 2(2), pp.11-17.

[2] Diab, M., Veronese, G., Jamei, Y.A. and Kagee, A., 2021. Risk and protective factors of tramadol abuse in the Gaza strip: The perspective of tramadol abusers and psychiatrists. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(6), pp.2074-2090.

[3] Meyers, R.J., Miller, W.R., Hill, D.E. and Tonigan, J.S., 1998. Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT): Engaging unmotivated drug users in treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse, 10(3), pp.291-308.