The Tramadol Effect

Tramadol is a commonly prescribed painkiller that is used to treat severe pain. Although it is often used with little to no incident, Tramadol abuse is a real risk. The addictive properties of this medication have prompted many to use the drug recreationally, often with highly damaging effects.

SOCIETAL IMPACT OF TRAMADOL

Many people see Tramadol as just another painkiller, one of many that a doctor can prescribe. The medication is not often associated with other common painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin. Because the directive to take Tramadol comes from a doctor in most cases, people assume that it’s okay to consume the drug. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Tramadol works by physically changing how the body responds to pain. This substance is an opioid receptor antagonist, meaning it blocks pain. Although Tramadol is not supposed to activate opiate receptors, some people report similar effects to those of an opiate agonist, like Vicodin.

Tramadol is often used by individuals suffering from severe pain, particularly of the chronic variety. The medication can be prescribed to help surgery patients to recover from their procedures; it can also be given to those suffering from arthritis and other long-term diseases. It is only available by prescription.

RECREATIONAL VALUE OF TRAMADOL

Unlike many painkillers, Tramadol is not commonly associated with recreational use. However, the initial use of this medication frequently leads to recreational use by those who have extra pills left over, or by those who simply enjoyed the initial effects of the drug. This is typically where Tramadol abuse begins. Because the drug modifies the brain, stopping consumption isn’t as simple as not taking the drug; after all, the brain has been conditioned to believe that it needs the medication to survive.

The recreational use of Tramadol is not unlike that of other painkillers, such as Vicodin. The initial use is when most of the euphoric effect is experienced, and subsequent uses are ill-fated attempts to recapture that effect. This pursuit of the initial high, in conjunction with the constant pain that most people who consume Tramadol are plagued with, foments a perpetual spiral of abuse and withdrawal.

Despite these dangers, Tramadol is not well-known for its addictive properties, at least not to the extent that Vicodin and Oxycontin are. Yet, people looking for pain relief are taking note of this substance. According to PJ Online, Tramadol prescriptions increased by more than 400 percent over a four-year period between 2007 and 2011. At the same time, prescriptions for Zamadol and Zydol dropped dramatically. It is clear that customers are choosing Tramadol in mass quantities; considering this substance is not considered a narcotic or a controlled substance in the United States and other areas.