Tramadol is an opiate agonist which means that it works by changing the way the body senses pain. It is prescribed for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol is offered two ways: the regular tablet is usually taken with or without food every four to six hours as needed, and the extended-release tablet should only be used by people who are expected to need medication to consistently relieve pain for a long time.

Is Someone You Know Addicted to Tramadol?

Because Tramadol can be habit-forming, it is recommended that one does not take a larger dose, take the prescribed dose more often, or take Tramadol for a longer period of time than prescribed by a doctor.

Some indicators that a loved one may be addicted to Tramadol are an escalation of use, the compulsion to seek out and consume the drug, and a strong craving for the drug that can only be soothed by taking it. The most obvious indication of a physical addiction to Tramadol is if that person is experiencing the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Chills
• Tremors
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations
• Trouble sleeping
• Breathing problems

You may also need to watch for overdose symptoms that there is a Tramadol abuse problem, including:

• Decreased size of the pupil
• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme drowsiness
• Unconsciousness
• Coma
• Seizure
• Heart attack

The federal government estimates that some 46 million Americans (age 12 and up), or nearly 20% of the US population, have abused prescription medications such as Tramadol at least once.

Intervention Tips

Should you suspect that someone you know needs Tramadol abuse help, the first thing you would do is confirm this suspicion by conducting a screening, which is a series of questions about the amount and frequency of using Tramadol and the consequences it may be causing. If you feel like you cannot do this yourself, you can seek the assistance of a physician in a hospital or an office, a nurse, a clinical social worker, or a licensed substance abuse counselor.

If the addiction is confirmed, the next step would be to request a health professional to conduct what is referred to as a brief intervention, during which people receive feedback on their substance use based on the screening results. The recommendation is to cut back or stop using Tramadol. If the addict is ready to cut down, the health care professional will assist by setting a goal that will lead to lower consumption. Addicts are also advised to think about why they use and how their lives will change by lowering their use. People who want to stop substance use will most likely be referred for additional evaluation or Tramadol treatment therapy.

Treatment for Tramadol Addiction

The first step of rehab is a Tramadol detox. This is the time when the user goes through withdrawal symptoms while the body adjusts to functioning without Tramadol. Withdrawal symptoms can be difficult and uncomfortable, but medical professionals at a rehab facility can alleviate some of the pain and monitor the patient for safety. After detox is complete, there are a number of effective options for treating the behavioral and psychological effects of Tramadol addiction.

Tramadol Intervention Help

Intervention is an effective strategy for many people who are addicted to drugs. However, planning and conducting an intervention is not always easy, and we can help. Please call our toll free number today. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Tramadol addiction, treatment, and interventions. Recovery is within reach. Call now at ((888) 371-5704.

As with most prescribed pain treatment medications, there are serious side effects and the possibility of dependence and addiction; Tramadol is no exception. Originally, Tramadol was marketed as a safe form of narcotic, unlike its stronger cousins in the oxycodone and hydrocodone families. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case because of its morphine like tendencies. Although Tramadol abuse is most commonly taken orally, it can also be crushed and snorted or even injected.

The following are signs of Tramadol abuse and dependence:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Severe mood swings
• Aggressiveness or anger
• Electric shock sensations
• The feeling of “pins and needles”
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sneezing
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Palpitations
• Tremors
• Headache

Although Tramadol is viewed as the lesser of narcotic-like pain relievers, its withdrawal symptoms last up to twice as long as other opioids.

With any prescription pain reliever, it is best to let a parent, friend or guardian be aware that you are taking these medications. The side effects and withdrawal symptoms can become overwhelming and can lead to abuse.

Are You Addicted to Tramadol?

Tramadol is one of the most widespread, addictive and readily available drugs today. Regular use results in physical and psychological damage and dependence.

There are thousands of people that have used, gone through treatment and now live normal, healthy lives.

There is hope… Please call our toll free number today at (888) 371-5704. We are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you might have about Tramadol addiction treatment. We are here to help.

It is important to follow the doctor’s prescription because tramadol overdose can be fatal. Altering the dosage in anyway, such as increasing the milligrams in a single dosage, can lead to overdose. Overdose happens when the body is unable to process the amount of the digested drug. However, all overdoses are not necessarily fatal. They can be accidental or intentional. Those taking it for therapeutic purposes or for recreational reasons can both be at risk. Typically, the maximum recommended dosage is 400 mg per day. Most people are not even prescribed this much; they are usually prescribed 200 mg per day or less. Often, an overdose occurs when tramadol is mixed with a different kind of drug or alcohol. Anything taken in conjunction with Tramadol that can depress the nervous system even more can lead to overdose or death.

What to Expect in an Overdose

In overdose, Tramadol induces significant neurological toxicity (seizures, coma, respiratory depression), but cardiovascular toxicity is mild. Anyone in close proximity to someone taking it or as the patient prescribed this particular drug should know the signs of an overdose. Medical attention should be sought immediately if any of the signs of an overdose begin to appear. The earlier you seek help, the better the outcome may be.

Symptoms can vary from person to person and depend on factors including how an individual’s body responds to the drug, how much was taken and whether it was taken in combination with any other substances. Although respiratory depression and constipation are less common with Tramadol, even amongst other opioids, it can occur, in particular, after overdose and with impaired renal function. Unlike other opioids, Tramadol abuse is not usually associated with the development of tolerance, physical dependence or psychological addiction. There is an increase in the risk of seizures where epilepsy is prevalent. To diagnose a possible overdose, look for these signs:

• Drowsiness
• Shallow breathing
• Slow heartbeat
• Weakness
• Cold or clammy skin
• Light-headed
• Fainting
• Coma
• Seizures
• Cardiac arrest
• Coma
• Constricted pupils
• Constipation
• Itching skin
• Hallucinations
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle convulsions
• Sedation
• Stomach spasms

Be aware of other opioid overdose symptoms that could also appear, which include:

• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Increased, unusual sweating
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe confusion
• Severe drowsiness
• Severe nervousness
• Yellow eyes or skin

Based on the severity of the overdose, a user can be at risk of long-term organ damage.

Caution with Tramadol

Death does have the chance of occurring in the first hour of overdose so proper procedures must be followed. Simply not exceeding the dosage recommended by the physician puts a patient at a lower risk for overdose.
It’s important that when prescribed, to notify the doctor of any current medication allergies or medical conditions that could compromise or interact adversely with Tramadol such as:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Stomach disorders
• History of depression, mental illness or suicide attempt

Another precaution to take in decreasing the risk of Tramadol overdose is to avoid taking Tramadol when also taking large doses of the following. This is not a complete list so it should be discussed with a medical professional.

• Sleeping pills
  • Dalmane
  • Halcion
  • Restoril

• Narcotic pain relievers
  • Darvon
  • Demerol
  • Morphine
  • Percocet

• Psychotherapeutic drugs
  • Antidepressants
  • Tranquilizers
  • Sedatives (including alcohol)

How to Treat Tramadol Overdose

If you suspect or have observed an overdose, there are a few things to avoid. Only if it is impossible for emergency crews to get to the location of the overdose, an overdose patient should not be taken by someone to the E.R. on their own. They should also not try to induce vomiting. They should also try to prevent the person who overdosed from moving around, which may accelerate the speed at which the Tramadol enters the blood stream. Unless emergency crews suggest, do not give the person who has overdosed anything to eat or drink. In most cases, 911 should be the first call. Not necessarily poison control.

A Tramadol overdose may be treated with a drug to counteract the effects. Other Tramadol treatments may include induced vomiting, pumping of the stomach and close monitoring of the breathing and heart rates.

If you think you or a loved one is overdosing on tramadol, take them to the emergency room where they can get their stomach pumped or possibly a different medication to neutralize the effects.

Tramadol Dependency

Tramadol is a highly dependent drug. Often, tramadol addictions happen accidentally by patients unknowingly abusing their prescribed medication. When used for a prolonged amount of time, the body builds up a certain amount of tolerance. The user has to continually take more per dosage in order to receive the same initial effect. This is a dangerous concept because eventually, the body will not be able to handle the amount of the drug administered. This is when an overdose may occur.

Tramadol Facts

Tramadol is in a group of drugs called opiate agonists. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain by changing the way the body senses pain. Tramadol can either be taken as a normal tablet or an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to be taken through the mouth. The regular tablet can be taken with or without food every four to six hours, or as needed. The extended-release tablet should only be taken once a day around the same time every day. When using extended-release the patient either needs to always take it with food or always take it without food. The extended-release tablets should only be taken whole. It is dangerous to split, chew, crush, snort or inject the dissolved form of the tablet. It is important to only take the medication as the doctor prescribes because it is a highly dependent drug.

Tramadol Addiction Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to tramadol, it is important to seek help. Tramadol is a highly dependent drug. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on tramadol rehab or detox, please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5704 for more information on tramadol addiction treatment.

Addiction is a serious condition affecting many Americans in many forms. Prescription medication abuse is a growing concern in the drug field and becoming an increasingly greater factor for death. It’s not entirely the amount of the medication taken at one time but the ability to combine multiple prescriptions that has raised concern as the death rate escalates. The federal government estimates that some 46 million Americans (age 12 and up), or nearly 20 percent of the US population, have abused prescription medication at least once. Yet no one knows how many people feed addictions anonymously through the Internet or other sources. Drug addiction happens from drug overuse that has not been regulated or treated medically.

From 1995 to 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of 766 cases of tramadol abuse. Interestingly, statistics indicate that tramadol is most likely to be abused by people with chronic pain, narcotics abuser and healthcare professionals.

Overuse Concern of Tramadol

Tramadol is a prescription drug, similar to morphine, which helps in the treatment of pain. There are some similarities in structure between tramadol and morphine, though morphine has a much higher addiction profile, and there is particular danger in overusing many forms of the medication because it also contains acetaminophen. Overuse of acetaminophen can quickly damage the liver, which can be accelerated if a person simultaneously consumes alcohol.

Dependency shouldn’t be considered the same as addiction, particularly when patients take the medication exactly as prescribed by doctors. Many people need to take tramadol on a regular basis in order to control serious pain as might occur from conditions like neuralgia. Regular dosage of this medication can create dependency. If at some point tramadol is no longer needed, doctors and patients can evolve a plan for safely coming off of the medication.

Signs of Tramadol Addiction

Tramadol abuse addiction is very different than dependency. Some of the signs of this would include:

• Using the medication in a manner not prescribed
• Taking more of the medication than prescribed
• Reporting lost medication in order to obtain more
• Asking for refills long before refills would be due
• Using several doctors and pharmacies to get more tramadol
• Stealing the drug or asking others who take the drug for a few pills
• Thinking about or obsessing over when the next dose can be obtained or taken

Those suffering from tramadol addiction are also likely to experience tramadol withdrawal symptoms if they cannot get the medication. Withdrawal symptoms can range from minor to severe. They could include an increase in pain, sweating, anxiety, tremors, diarrhea, insomnia and hallucinations.

Other commons signs to look for in an addiction are:

• Secluded behavior and often needing to spend large amounts of time alone
• Stealing, lying or other dishonest behavior
• An unexplainable lack of money
• Changes in social circles, such as abandoning good friends and replacing them with new ones
• Unexplained changes in mood or behaviors

Tramadol Addiction Treatment

Usually tramadol addiction must be addressed in two ways since people become physically and emotionally dependent on the drug. Of first importance is helping people get through initial withdrawal symptoms, but even when the worst of these are over, many still crave the drug and have used it as a way to cope with most of the problems in their lives. This means it is helpful for most people to participate in a drug treatment program so that they can learn how to reconstruct their lives without having to use tramadol or any other potentially addictive substance. Tramadol abuse help can take many forms and include regular outpatient meetings with groups like Narcotics Anonymous, or they can be inpatient programs of a certain length where patients work on understanding how to overcome their addictions.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a tramadol addiction, we can help. Please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5704. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions on tramadol addiction and treatment.

Tramadol is a man-made pain reliever. The way it works is not completely known, but it acts in a similar manner to morphine. Like morphine, Tramadol binds to receptors in the brain (opioid receptors) that transmit the sensation of pain throughout the body to the brain. It is used in the management of moderate to severe pain.

Tramadol is an analgesic used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. Similar to codeine, it is used in most cases of Neuralgia and Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is a type of pain in one or more nerves without pain receptor cells being stimulated. There are several different types of Neuralgia. Tramadol is used to help relieve the pain and discomfort from this disorder as well as other problems that cause pain.

Tramadol is also effective for treating disorders such as depression, anxiety and types of phobias because of the way it functions on noradrenergic serotonergic systems. Although the drug suggests its use, doctors and health professionals do not necessarily endorse the drug for those symptoms unless it is a last resort treatment as other treatments have failed. Health professionals also require that it be used under the supervision of a psychiatrist.

Forms of Tramadol

Extended-release tablets are the most common form, used for moderate to severe chronic pain in adults who require continuous treatment for an extended period. This way the patient only has to take one pill a day rather than having to take multiple pills throughout their use of the medication. It may also be given post-surgery to relieve pain until the healing process has finished.

Other catalyst of Tramadol include:

• Regular capsules
• Tablets (low-residue, extended release, chewable, regular)
• Suppositories
• Effervescent powders and tablets
• Ampoules of sterile solution for SC, IM and IV injection
• Preservative-free solution for injections by way of spinal route (epidural, intrathecal, caudal and more)
• Powders for compounding
• Liquids with and without alcohol for oral and sub-lingual administration available in regular phials and bottles, dropper bottles, bottles with a pump similar to those used with liquid soap and phials with droppers built into the cap
• Tablets and capsules containing acetaminophen, aspirin and other agents

Tramadol Dependency

Tramadol is a highly dependent drug. Often, Tramadol abuse addictions happen accidentally by patients unknowingly abusing their prescribed medication. When taken for a prolonged amount of time, little as three months, the body becomes used to the amount of drugs administered. When this happens, the user has to take more to receive the initial effects. This is a dangerous thing to do because when a user does not take the medication, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms will occur. When taking this drug, the patient needs to do exactly as the doctor says to stay clear of addiction. It is important to talk to your doctor before getting off Tramadol to ensure that withdrawal symptoms do not occur.

Tramadol Facts

Tramadol is in a group of drugs called opiate agonists. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain by changing the way the body senses pain. Tramadol can either be taken as a normal tablet or an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to be taken through the mouth. The regular tablet can be taken with or without food every four to six hours or as needed. The extended-release tablet should only be taken once a day around the same time every day.

When using extended-release the patient either needs to always take it with food or always take it without food. The extended-release tablets should only be taken whole. It is dangerous to split, chew, crush, snort or inject the dissolved form of the tablet. It is important to only take the medication as the doctor prescribes because it is a highly dependent drug.

Tramadol Addiction Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to Tramadol, it is important to seek help. Tramadol is a highly dependent drug that can damage the body both physically and psychologically. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on Tramadol detox or rehab, please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5704.