Tramadol is an opioid available only with a prescription from a doctor, and it’s used to treat symptoms of pain. Although it’s a proven pain reliever, it shares characteristics similar to other opioids, which include dependence, addiction, withdrawal, and overdose.

Tramadol addiction is considered a severe disease that affects various areas of your life. Unfortunately, those who abuse pain medication from their physician have a higher chance of trying heroin. Learn more about tramadol addiction and how it’s treated.

What Are the Signs of Tramadol Addiction?

While addiction may start through the innocent use of prescribed medication, it will gradually worsen over time. Over time, addiction will take over many aspects of your life. It’s essential to become aware of the signs and symptoms, and learning how to avoid the most severe consequences can help you slow the disease down.

Knowing these signs will help you see when you need help. It’s crucial to know the symptoms of tramadol addiction if you or a loved one is currently prescribed the medication. If you are concerned that you are developing a substance use disorder, there are many signs that you may notice. These include:

If a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder because of tramadol, there are some signs and symptoms you may be able to see in them. These include:

An estimated 41 million prescriptions were dispensed for tramadol in 2017, and global usage spiked 186 percent between 2000 and 2012. The numbers indicate many people could be struggling with addiction now. Fortunately, there is help available.

What Is Involved in Tramadol Addiction Treatment?

Tramadol addiction has the potential to range from mild, moderate, or severe. The treatment received will be based on your current needs. Addiction treatment is designed to address the many aspects of a substance use disorder, and it will also address the issues that cause and contribute to addiction. 

Although tramadol will not cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, they can be unpleasant if you go through them alone.

Once you complete your stay in a detox facility, you will be moved to a level of care that is appropriate for your current needs. Only a licensed professional can make this call. If you need medical attention for addiction, you must get the help you need immediately.