Tramadol is a prescribed opioid medicine for mild to extreme pain. It is about one-tenth the strength of morphine, and it’s thought to be among the weaker opioid options. Due to this, tramadol is widely available, and the danger of addiction to tramadol has gone largely unnoticed. But addiction to tramadol is a major issue, and the elderly population is the most affected.
What Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is an artificial (man-made) opioid that’s similar to methadone and U-47700, also known as Fentanyl. It is utilized for treating severe, moderate, or chronic pain and is considered to be a less powerful option than other opioids. This has led to the belief that it’s less addictive, which has led doctors to prescribe tramadol as a “safer” option. Contrary to this, tramadol is often misused and can cause dependence, tolerance, and addiction.
The brand name for tramadol is typically Ultram; however, ConZip, QDOBA, and Enova RX are also tramadol brands. Since tramadol’s popularity grew in the early 2000s, tramadol-related ER visits have increased dramatically. This was the precursor to widespread addiction to tramadol and the designation that tramadol is a Schedule IV drug that is controlled through the DEA.
Tramadol vs. Other Opioids
Tramadol is similar to other opioids in that it binds to opioid receptors inside the brain. This alters how the body feels pain. But unlike other opioids, tramadol affects serotonin and norepinephrine. So, it is possible that tramadol could alter mood, just like antidepressants.
Tramadol usage has increased by a large amount when compared with other opioids prescribed by a doctor. This is probably, at the very least, partially due to its less strict classification of the schedule. Although the risk of developing severe respiratory depression after an overdose is lower when Buy tramadol Online, its unique mechanism of action makes it more difficult than other opioids. So, Narcan (naloxone) isn’t always a safe tramadol alternative.
Tramadol Interactions
When taken on its own, tramadol can cause several of the same adverse consequences as other opioids. This includes things like dizziness, constipation, nausea, and drowsiness, to mention a few. However, adverse reactions that are specific to tramadol compared to other opioids are:
It is a common occurrence to experience symptoms resembling those of a cold (congestion, sore throat, headache).
Itching
Muscle weakness
Seizures
When it comes to combinations of drugs, there are hundreds of severe to moderate interactions that are based on interactions with natural substances (e.g., sage, eucalyptus) or with other medications (e.g., Xanax). Additionally, tramadol and alcohol are a potentially dangerous combination because of the depressant effects both have on the human body. The most effective way to proceed for those taking tramadol is to discuss with your doctor the other drugs you’re taking prior to taking the drug.
Veterans and Tramadol Use
The chronic pain issue is a significant issue for veterans and active military personnel. In the past, the only solution was prescribing opioid medications for veterans, at times at alarming levels. In reality, because tramadol was considered less effective, at some point it was dispensed to veterans to be administered by the VA without regulation and often at no cost. This led to a number of addiction problems among veterans.
In 2014, the VA finally started imposing restrictions on the use of tramadol by veterans. Unfortunately, by that time, tramadol addiction was already widespread. A first-hand account of a veteran’s tramadol addiction highlights the ease with which tramadol was able to be abused and the subsequent overdose for the veteran.
The stricter regulations for tramadol were designed to serve as a warning of its addiction potential. However, it also made prescriptions harder to get for people suffering from chronic pain as well as for those suffering from dependence on tramadol. This is often blamed as a reason for veterans being pushed to purchase alternative treatments, like those on black markets.
Tramadol Abuse and Addiction
Tramadol can be a habit-forming drug. Thus, those who abuse the painkiller or take it for any length of time could fall into an addiction to opioids. When a dependency or addiction is established, tramadol withdrawal can happen if the drug is abruptly cut off. To prevent the withdrawal symptoms of tramadol, it is crucial to be aware of the signs of abuse with tramadol prior to the onset of addiction.
There are many signs that indicate abuse of Buying tramadol Online. could indicate an addiction. These include items such as:
Drug-seeking behavior,
A change in routines or groupings of friends
Changes in diet, personal hygiene, or
Lack of enthusiasm for previously fun activities.
Intoxication, or a tramadol high, can also be a sign of misuse. These signs of tramadol abuse are:
Drowsiness
Speech slurred
Pinpoint pupils
Vomiting
Clumsiness
Seizures
Seizures pose a significant danger when using tramadol. Furthermore, any other medication that alters serotonin production in the brain, like antidepressants, could result in significant adverse reactions when combined with tramadol (e.g., serotonin-related syndrome). As time passes, the chemical makeup of the brain may change, and we can anticipate an increase in the amount of opioid. As of now, addiction to tramadol has been proven.
Florida Veteran Substance Abuse Program
Tramadol addiction treatment is a successful method to end the cycle of addiction. It usually starts with detox, which is followed by drug rehabilitation. The Heroes’ Mile addiction treatment center in our Central Florida facility is specially equipped for veterans who require addiction treatment. The addiction center we operate is run by veterans for veterans, to aid in recovery by sharing common ground.
