The Consequenses of Tramadol Addiction

Potential for Addiction

Tramadol is an opioid antagonist — that is, a drug that binds to opiate receptors in an effort to block pain. There is much confusion on whether or not this substance is addictive. Antagonists are not supposed to activate opiate receptors, however, some opioid antagonists are not pure antagonists and can produce some opioid agonist effects. Some people experience euphoric effects and pain relief, and as a result after continued use, could develop a Tramadol addiction.

People become addicted to Tramadol when the brain literally tells the body that it has to have it.Therefore, it is strongly advised that those who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction not take Tramadol for pain relief. Since this substance may cause euphoric effects, there is a chance of relapse.

Tramadol also lends itself to addiction because it can be taken discreetly, leaving no outward signs of consumption. People can have a prescription painkiller addiction for lengthy periods of time; as long as there is a steady supply of pills, and nobody discovers the symptoms of addiction, there is virtually no way somebody could get caught.

Significant due diligence must be done in any potential case of Tramadol addiction, if this behavior is written off merely as a coincidence, the ramifications could be fatal. (Note that crushing long-release tablets and snorting them, instead of consuming them regularly, is almost always a sure sign of addiction.)

Consequences of Addiction

Although Tramadol is often seen as a “safe” drug, the reality is anything but. According to The Daily Mail, Tramadol is similar to and twice as strong as codeine. And people don’t even have to abuse this substance to die from taking the drug.

There were 154 accidental deaths caused by Tramadol in the UK in 2011, most of which were caused by innocuous dosage errors. People simply took twice the recommended dosage by accident and paid the price with their lives. Perhaps these deaths could have been prevented by caution, but the reality is that people died from this substance without even tempting fate. The potential for fatality due to this painkiller is significantly higher for those who habitually abuse the drug.

Tramadol has been linked with strokes, seizures, and heart attacks. Again, these symptoms affect people who simply exceed their normal dosage by accident. People who take more than is recommended by their physician, who snort long-release tablets, or who abuse the drug for excessive periods of time, place themselves at risk of death on a daily basis.

Doctors prescribe painkillers such as Tramadol to their patients because they believe the benefits will outnumber the drawbacks. Unfortunately, this isn’t such a cut-and-dry equation, nor is it any sort of guarantee. It also assumes that patients will take the pills as directed. Unfortunately, due to the brain-changing properties of the substance, it isn’t as simple as waiting four to six hours for another dose.

It’s entirely possible to take Tramadol and suffer no addictive consequences or health problems. However, approximately one in five adults who takes prescription medication suffers from addiction. Given Tramadol’s strength and the ambiguity about its abuse potential, there is a definite reason for concern. Those who are prescribed this substance must exercise extreme caution when handling the medication.

Furthermore, people with relatives who take Tramadol must spread the word about its addictive properties and the warning signs that develop with excessive use. Even with this knowledge, addiction and abuse can still take place, but it can be significantly limited.