Tramadol Preteen Abuse

Prescription painkillers are more likely to be abused these days than any other illicit drug. The new “teen high” for prescription drug abuse these days is the generic Ultram, otherwise known as Tramadol. Ultram (Tramadol) is a non-opioid analgesic used for moderate to moderately severe pain. Known as the street term, “ultras,” teens and preteens are accessing the drug through the family medicine cabinets. Addiction experts predict that kids as early as eight years-old are experimenting with Tramadol.

“While this particular drug was, a few years ago, only rarely mentioned by the teens, it does seem to have exploded in popularity over the past year,” said Rick Kirkham, who chronicled his addiction to crack cocaine in the 2006 documentary “TV Junkie” and now educates students about drug use. “Kids are now much more educated on the more ‘out of the cross hairs’ prescription drugs readily sitting in their family medicine cabinets,” he told ABCNews.com.

Tramadol Addiction

Tramadol is a highly dependent drug; therefore, addiction and developing a tolerance has a likelihood of occurring in teens. When this happens, the initial effects of the drug are harder to obtain and require more of the drug to achieve those effects. Quitting enables withdrawal symptoms and because of the perpetual severity of those symptoms, teens and preteens will continue taking the drug. Teens, and even younger kids, feel indestructible and immune to the problems of drug abuse that others experience. Some will only experiment and that’s where it stops. Some will continue taking the drug and this is where intervention and help is needed.

Warning Signs of Prescription Drug Dependency

It is impossible to predict which teens will experiment and stop and which ones will develop serious problems. Knowing what your teen is doing and who they are doing it with will help in being aware of the things they are involved with and who. The following are some warning signs of teenagers at risk for developing serious prescription drug dependency:

• A family history of substance or alcohol abuse
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Feel like they don’t fit in and are not popular with the mainstream
• Frequently feel sluggish and have difficulty sleeping
• Aggressive and rebellious attitude toward authority figures

Tramadol Addiction Help

If you or someone you know battles with an addiction to Tramadol, please call our toll free number at (888) 371-5704. Someone is available 24 hours a day to assist you with any questions or treatment questions you may have.