Tramadol is a pain medication that serves to moderate severe pain intensity, and is part of a class of drugs called opiate narcotic analgesics, which work by changing the way the brain responds to pain. Tramadol used to be considered relatively safe, but it is becoming clearer just how dangerous it is. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the estimated number of tramadol-related emergency visits due to misuse or abuse rose 250%, from 6, 255 visits in 2005 to 21,649 visits in 2011.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in 2014 that tramadol has the same chemical structure as codeine. This medication has an extended form used for around-the-clock treatment rather than a “take as needed” basis. Also in 2014, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that tramadol has been placed into schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This was due to the concern of abuse, misuse, addiction and overdose of opioid analgesics.
While tramadol can be safe if taken as prescribed by the doctor, it is highly addictive and can be very dangerous. Firstly, there are a wide range of side effects with this drug that can be very unpleasant: itching, headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and drowsiness, to name a few. More serious side effects include seizures, serotonin syndrome, depressed breathing, fatal skin reaction, and more. Tramadol is not safe when mixed with alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.
Due to the similar chemical structure of codeine, tramadol can become habit-forming. The Wall Street Journal claims that tramadol has been known to be as addictive as morphine – when taken, the drug increases the production of neurotransmitters in the brain such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and other hormones, such as endorphins. WHO reports that tramadol enters the bloodstream immediately, with effectiveness peaking in 1-4 hours and extended-release tramadol peaking in 4-6 hours. Withdrawal symptoms begin to appear within about 12 hours of the last dose. The DEA states that 90% of people who withdrawal from tramadol experience traditional opioid symptoms.
If you are addicted to tramadol, call us today at 877-540-5145. Avalon Malibu has licensed, experienced healthcare professionals who truly want to see you recover. We will work with you from the day you begin your journey to recovery. Addiction is not the answer; there is still time for you to recover from this. Take back control of your life. Call us today.
