- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tramadol Addiction?
- Am I Addicted to Tramadol?
- How to Encourage Someone to Get Treatment
- Staging an Intervention
- Support Groups for Family and Friends
- Tramadol Addiction Treatment
- Finding the Best Tramadol Treatment
Is Tramadol Addictive? How Addictive is Tramadol?
Tramadol is an opioid, which means that it's chemically similar to heroin. Not only can it produce an intoxicating high and intense sense of euphoria, but prolonged use can elicit severely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Once you become chemically dependent on Tramadol, quitting the drug without professional support can be quite difficult, if not impossible for some. Even prescription users can become addicted, so it's incredibly important to monitor yourself for signs of addiction and regularly check in with your doctor.
Tramadol, a powerful opioid pain reliever, is one of the world's most popular painkillers. It's also one of the most addictive. Anyone can develop a dependence on this powerful drug, and once you're an addict, you'll probably need professional help to kick the habit.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tramadol Addiction?
If you're concerned that you or someone you love might be an addict, trust your instincts. Still on the fence? Check out these common signs and symptoms of Tramadol addiction:
- Changes in mood or behavior; many Tramadol users experience depression, lethargy, and a lack of motivation.
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling like yourself without Tramadol.
- Frequent bouts of nausea or vomiting.
- Lying to your doctor to get more Tramadol, or taking higher doses than prescribed by your doctor.
- Snorting Tramadol, or taking it via any method other than prescribed (i.e., by oral administration).
- Spending most of your time under the influence of Tramadol, or ignoring other responsibilities so you can use.
Am I Addicted to Tramadol?
If you think you're addicted to Tramadol, trust yourself. It's easy to fall into denial, especially when you're a prescription user. No one wants to admit that they are an addict, but doing so is the first step on the road to recovery. If you're still unsure, consider taking a day or two away from Tramadol. If doing so is easy, you're probably fine, but if quitting is challenging or impossible, you might be an addict.
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Many Tramadol users find themselves experiencing intense muscle pain, sleepiness, and lethargy when they try to quit. Some also experience paranoia or anxiety. These symptoms are clear indications that your body has grown dependent, and that you may be addicted to the drug. Moreover, opiate withdrawal is notoriously difficult, and can lead to debilitating gastrointestinal distress, dehydration, and vomiting, so intense, it could endanger your life due to the risk of choking or aspirating on it.
If you're ready to quit Tramadol, talk to a doctor about how you can minimize your withdrawal symptoms. But addiction cannot be overcome with one conversation, it requires consistent perseverance and a specialized level of care. To find out more about Tramadol addiction treatment options available in your area, please call us at
1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today.
How to Encourage Someone to Get Treatment
No addict will recover until he or she is ready, and some need to hit "rock bottom" before that happens. Try gently talking to your loved one without criticizing or offering judgment. If he or she is still unwilling to seek treatment, then you need to take appropriate steps to protect yourself. Don't allow yourself to enable your loved one's abuse of Tramadol, and if you support him or her, consider slowly withdrawing support. Doing so can convince an addict that treatment is the easier option, and may expedite the process of hitting rock bottom.
Staging an Intervention
An intervention harnesses the power of peer pressure to help struggling addicts accept the help they need. The process is a relatively simple one. Like-minded loved ones gather to share how the addict's struggles have touched their lives. Then, they encourage the addict to seek treatment and explain what they will do if the addict refuses.

Following up with these threats is critically important, since many addicts initially decline treatment. Once an addict sees that you're serious, he or she may change their mind and finally accept the much-needed treatment.
Support Groups for Family and Friends
Loving an addict is extraordinarily challenging. Someone struggling with Tramadol addiction may lie, cheat, and steal. They may also appear apathetic and depressed, causing them to ignore your feelings and dismiss your thoughts. If you need support, know that you're not alone; millions of people struggle with loving an addict each year. A program such as Nar-Anon can offer the support you need in a safe and confidential environment.
Many people Tramadol users become addicted because of
struggles with chronic pain. Educating yourself about chronic pain can help you more effectively help your loved one.
And if you opt to seek family therapy, consider working with a somatic therapist who understands the mind-body connection and who is experienced in dealing with chronic pain issues.
Tramadol Addiction Treatment

If you're unsure whether you can get sober, inpatient treatment is the best option because of its unique blend of therapy, support groups, medical care, and a sober living environment. It's much easier to resist temptation when you live where you're getting treatment. If you are a prescription user of Tramadol, don't expect life to become perfect after you quit. You'll need supportive care to find new ways of dealing with pain. This may mean adopting an exercise regimen or finding a less addictive pain medication. Doing all of this in rehab allows you to safely try new things under the watchful eye of a skilled doctor.

If you're worried about comfort, consider pursuing a luxury program. These programs offer posh surroundings, plenty of privacy, and a chance to relax as you work toward sobriety. For busy professionals who can't leave work, executive rehabs offer the flexibility you need to continue working while you get sober.

If you don't have the time or resources for inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment can be an excellent option. Therapy can help you explore why you're an addict and how you can better resist temptation. 12-step programs offer support, a strong sense of community, and the assurance that you're not alone. Opiates Anonymous can be especially helpful since it specifically targets users of drugs like Tramadol, which means you'll probably find plenty of common ground with group members. And if you have health problems related to your Tramadol abuse, the assistance of a supportive physician can prove invaluable.
Finding the Best Tramadol Treatment
No two addicts are alike, and what worked wonders for your neighbor might be pure misery for you. Before you sign up for treatment, think about what you need from treatment. For instance, a trauma survivor may need a safe, single-sex program while a person with a mental illness could benefit from a dual diagnosis treatment program that addresses both the addiction and the underlying mental health problems.
Be sure to ask plenty of questions, and ask what you can expect from treatment--how long it will take, what treatment looks and feels like, and what will be expected of you. Knowing what to expect can help ease your anxiety about treatment while ensuring that you get the treatment that's appropriate for your needs. If you need help evaluating Tramadol addiction treatment options, you can reach one of our treatment support advisors, standing by 24/7 at
1-888-993-3112Who Answers?.
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