What Is Tramadol (Ultram)?

Tramadol (sold under the brand name Ultram) is a prescription opioid and an opiate analgesic that is used to treat moderate to severe pain and it’s only legally available with a prescription. Back when it was initially approved for use in 1995, it was widely believed that tramadol was less dangerous than other narcotic drugs. However, since then, the DEA has scheduled tramadol as a Schedule IV substance in the U.S. and it is well-recognized that tramadol can cause dependence and addiction.

Slang for Tramadol

The following terms are street names or slang for tramadol:

• Chill pills
• Trammies
• Ultras

Is Tramadol Addictive?

Yes, tramadol can be an addictive drug. Although Ultram is highly effective for treating pain, it also comes with a host of risks such as dependence and addiction. Some people develop substance abuse problems after misusing tramadol and the risks for people who have previous substance use are even higher.

When tramadol is taken in pill form by mouth, it can cause a euphoric, opioid-like high, similar to the high users feel when they abuse OxyContin and other prescription opioid drugs. Tramadol can also enhance the user’s mood because it increases serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain.²

Because of these pleasurable effects, tramadol users may repeatedly take large doses of the drug to feel the euphoric effects again, and gradually develop tolerance, dependence, and eventually, addiction. For most people, Ultram and other tramadol drugs remain an effective way to manage pain for about six months. After that, the consistent use and misuse of the drug can lead to tolerance.

The dangers of tramadol abuse and addiction are also reflected in these recent statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

• Emergency department visits involving tramadol misuse and abuse increased 250 percent from 2005 to 2011.
• In 2011, there were an estimated 54,397 emergency department visits involving tramadol, and 40 percent of them were attributed to misuse or abuse.
• In 2011, tramadol was ranked ninth on the list of narcotic pain relievers secured in law enforcement operations and analyzed by forensic labs.
• Prescriptions for tramadol increased 88 percent from 23.3 million in 2008 to 43.8 million in 2013.³

Tramadol vs. Oxycodone: What’s the Difference?

Both tramadol and oxycodone are prescription opioids that are used to treat moderate to severe pain. While oxycodone only comes in the form of an immediate-release tablet, tramadol comes in both immediate and extended-release tablet form, which can extend its effects for up to 12 hours.

Both drugs can cause mild and serious side effects. Mild side effects of tramadol products like Ultram include nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, sweating, dry mouth, and nervousness, while serious side effects can include slowed breathing, seizures, and serotonin syndrome.

Mild side effects of oxycodone are similar to that of tramadol and include nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, sweating, lack of energy, and insomnia, while serious side effects can include slowed breathing, low blood pressure, not being able to breathe, and cardiac arrest.

Tramadol	Oxycodone
Narcotic approved to treat moderate to severe pain Schedule IV drug Immediate release and extended-release tablet form Mild side effects like nausea, vomiting constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, and nervousness Serious side effects like slowed breathing, seizures, and serotonin syndrome	Narcotic approved to treat moderate to severe pain Schedule II drug Immediate-release tablet Mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, sweating, lack of energy, and insomnia Serious side effects like slowed breathing, low blood pressure, not being able to breathe, and cardiac arrest

Tramadol vs. Hydrocodone: What’s the Difference?

Tramadol and hydrocodone are both powerful opioid analgesics that are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Both drugs work by attaching to receptors in the brain, but tramadol allows norepinephrine and serotonin to stay in the brain for a longer period of time to block signals of pain.

While there is a generic version available for tramadol, there no generic version of hydrocodone. Tramadol comes in immediate and extended-release tablets but hydrocodone only comes in extended-release tablet form, unless it is combined with other drugs.

The two drugs produce similar side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, but there are a few unique differences. Tramadol’s unique side effects include flushing, congestion, sore throat, headache, itching, weakness, and seizures. Hydrocodone’s unique side effects include confusion, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, and gastric obstruction.

Although both tramadol and hydrocodone are addictive, hydrocodone is most likely to be abused.

Tramadol	Hydrocodone
Opioid analgesic approved to treat moderate to severe pain Schedule IV drug Works by attaching to receptors in the brain but allows norepinephrine and serotonin to stay in the brain longer A generic version is available Immediate and extended-release tablets Unique side effects include flushing, congestion, sore throat, headache, itching, weakness, and seizures Addictive	Opioid analgesic approved to treat moderate to severe pain Schedule II drug Works by attaching to receptors in the brain No generic version available Only extended-release tablets unique side effects include confusion, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, and gastric obstruction Addictive, but more likely to be abused

How Common is Tramadol Addiction?

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 1,753 people (or 0.6 percent of the population) misused tramadol products like Ultram over the past year. About 63 percent of people who misused pain relievers like tramadol reported doing so to relieve pain and 13 percent said they did it to feel good or get high.⁵

Tramadol abuse and addiction is not extremely prevalent in the U.S., however, within the first three years of approval in the U.S., it was evident that patients on tramadol were abusing it. Although the vast majority of people abusing it had previous substance abuse problems, the addictive qualities of tramadol were still a primary factor in the abuse and misuse of the drug.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Tramadol Addiction?

Tramadol abuse can easily lead to addiction. If you’re taking this medication and start to notice the following symptoms, you may be dependent or addicted to it.

• You have compulsive cravings to use tramadol.
• You feel like you need tramadol to cope with everyday problems.
• You are concerned about experiencing withdrawal when the effects of the drug wear off.
• You feel anxious or scared when you think about not taking tramadol anymore.
• You are preoccupied with getting more tramadol.
• You have mood swings.
• You feel physically uncomfortable if you don’t take tramadol.
• You take a higher dose than prescribed by your doctor.
• You visit several different doctors to get more tramadol.
• You keep using tramadol despite concerns voiced by family and friends.⁶

What Are the Side Effects of Tramadol Abuse?

Tramadol (Ultram) abuse and addiction can cause many negative physical and psychological side effects. Many of the side effects of tramadol addiction mimic those of opioid abuse. Common tramadol addiction side effects include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Lack of energy
• Seizures
• Muscle weakness
• Low appetite
• Loss of libido
• Fertility problems
• Decreased muscle and bone mass
• Mood swings
• Respiratory problems
• Hallucinations
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Depression⁷

What Are Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Tramadol withdrawal is similar to other opioid drug withdrawal syndromes and shares many of the same symptoms. If you are anticipating going through tramadol detox and withdrawal, you may experience some of the following tramadol withdrawal symptoms.

• Stomach pain/gastrointestinal issues
• Depression
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Irritation
• Numbness in the hands and feet
• Paranoia
• Cravings
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Ringing in the ears
• Nightmares
• Insomnia
• Muscle pain
• Tremors
• Diarrhea⁸

Most medical experts recommend slowly tapering over time to stop tramadol abuse instead of quitting cold turkey. This may help minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms produced by Ultram and tramadol products. A medically-assisted tramadol detox program can provide guided assistance to safely stop using tramadol in a realistic amount of time.

Tramadol Addiction Withdrawal Timeline

If you are detoxing from tramadol, you’ll most likely begin to experience withdrawal symptoms within a matter of hours after your last dose. Tramadol withdrawal usually lasts about two weeks, but some symptoms may linger for several weeks after detox is complete.

The duration and severity of tramadol withdrawal will vary from person to person, but here is a timeline of what you may experience.

1-3 days after your last dose	You’ll begin to feel the beginning stages of withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, nausea, strong cravings, and nausea.
4-7 days after your last dose	Withdrawal symptoms may increase in intensity and you may also begin to experience some disorientation, confusion, and insomnia.
8-14 days after your last dose	Feelings of anxiety and depression may continue to linger, however, most withdrawal symptoms will have dissipated by now.

How to Recover from Tramadol Addiction

Kicking tramadol addiction isn’t easy but it’s certainly not impossible. Tramadol addiction detox is the first step to getting sober with a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Individualized tramadol detox will ensure that you get the personalized treatment you need to safely and comfortably flush your body of tramadol and any other substances you may be abusing.

During tramadol detox, you’ll receive personalized treatment from a professional team of medical doctors, nurses, and clinical counselors that is designed to help you obtain physical sobriety and mental clarity while also preparing for entry into rehab.

Regardless of your drug abuse history, enrolling in a tramadol addiction treatment and detox program is the safest and most comfortable way to overcome your physical and psychological dependence on tramadol.

Drug Rehab for Tramadol Addiction

Although tramadol detox is an essential step in the addiction recovery process, it will do very little to curb addiction on its own. To address the psychological, social, and cognitive issues associated with addiction, you may want to continue your treatment with a tramadol rehab program.

Tramadol rehab programs come in many forms and may be either an inpatient or outpatient program. Inpatient drug rehab is often referred to as residential rehab because clients live onsite at the rehab center while they complete their tramadol treatment program. Each client follows a structured daily schedule and attends regular group therapy sessions, individual therapy sessions, chemical dependency classes, and other group activities as directed by their treatment team.

Inpatient clients are also allowed free time that they can use for personal activities like journaling, meditating, playing an instrument, or taking a walk outside.

Outpatient drug rehab provides the same types of services for people in recovery. The primary difference is that clients are permitted to live at home while attending treatment. Outpatient tramadol treatment programs consist of group sessions that meet twice a week.

Depending on your needs, personal circumstances, and budget, inpatient or outpatient tramadol rehab may work better for you. Many people choose to enroll in outpatient rehab, as it allows for more flexibility in terms of childcare, work, and school. However, if your tramadol addiction is severe, a residential program may be more beneficial for your long-term recovery.

Many tramadol rehab programs offer several different payment options to make rehab more affordable, such as utilizing health insurance benefits for rehab, third-party healthcare loans, or EAP benefits.

If you are struggling to pay for a tramadol treatment program, you may qualify for scholarships or grants offered by private rehab centers or nonprofit organizations.

Ongoing Treatment Options for Tramadol Addiction

Sober Living Programs

Once you have completed rehab for tramadol addiction, you may also continue your treatment by enrolling in a sober living program. Sober living homes (also sometimes referred to as ¾ houses, halfway houses, or transitional living houses) are designed to support individuals in recovery as they transition back into society and become a high-functioning, sober individual.

In short, sober living programs provide a safe and sober living environment, along with recovery support services, like:

• Regular drug testing
• Personal monitoring
• Tiered recovery programming
• Personal sober coaches
• Employment and education assistance

These support services, along with a sober group living environment, help men and women in recovery establish healthy skills and habits that support a life in recovery. Sober living homes also provide accountability for those who struggle with chronic relapse.

Aftercare Programs

Aftercare is another type of post-rehab program that helps men and women in recovery establish a supportive and sober peer network. An aftercare program consists of a series of weekly meetings that span an eight-week period. Each group meeting is designed to be a safe space where clients can share personal challenges and successes related to their sobriety.

In Aftercare, you’ll be encouraged by the wisdom and testimonies of other people in recovery, have the opportunity to share your own wisdom, and connect with other people in recovery who are going through the same things you are.

If you’re suffering from tramadol addiction, you should know that you’re not alone. Tramadol abuse and addiction may not be the most common substance abuse problems in the U.S., but many other people are facing the same struggle. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone and effective tramadol treatment programs are available. Call Nova Recovery Center today to learn more about how you can overcome your tramadol addiction and start living a satisfying life in recovery.

References:

1. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695011.html
2. http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/quality_safety/6_1_Update.pdf
3. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_1966/ShortReport-1966.html
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10617309
5. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report
6. http://www.tramadolfacts.com/is-tramadol-addictive/
7. https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/how-to-help-a-tramadol-addict/
8. https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/tramadol-withdrawal/

Nova Recovery Center offers a large range of substance abuse treatment services: detox, residential, outpatient and sober living.

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