At Addiction Helper we get many calls for people addicted to prescription drugs. Tramadol is one of the common prescription medications we get asked for advice on recovery from. So what is Tramadol and how does someone become addicted to it?
Tramadol is a synthetic opiate which comes in pill form, it is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. As a synthetic opiate it produces effect similar to other opiates and has some structural similarities to morphine. If Tramadol is used for a prolonged period of time it can be habit forming and a person may become addicted to it, some signs of Tramadol addiction include:
- taking more of the medication than prescribed
- using the prescribed amount and topping up with illicitly bought Tramadol
- manipulating medical professionals to get more medication
- asking for refills long before they are due
- stealing the drug or manipulating others into allowing you to use their prescribed drugs
- obsessing about when you will be next able to get or use the drug
- changes in mood and mood swings
- isolation
- dishonest behaviour
If someone is using Tramadol and addicted to it they will also experience withdrawals if they cannot use the drug. They will experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
- increased pain
- anxiety
- sweating
- stomach upset
- hallucinations
- tremors
- insomnia
Tramadol is a physically and psychologically addictive drug, it is very high risk for someone to come off Tramadol without medical guidance and monitoring. The most helpful way for someone to recover from Tramadol addiction is to complete a residential treatment programme. This means that the individual suffering from Tramadol addiction will need to have a medically managed programme of detoxification and a therapeutic treatment programme within a residential setting to help them manage their recovery and their lives without having to use an addictive substance. If you would like support and advice with Tramadol addiction please do call Addiction Helper we would happy to help you fight prescription stimulants addiction.