Tramadol is a strong opioid drug, classed as a narcotic, which acts on the central nervous system to relieve muscle, joint and wound pain. It’s commonly given after surgery or serious injury and is also used to treat chronic pain, such as back problems, if weaker painkillers aren’t working. Whilst Tramadol is a highly effective and entirely legal prescription painkiller, constant use and abuse of it can cause dependence and serious health problems.

At Delamere, we have extensive experience of treating all kinds of painkiller addiction and prescription drug addiction at our purpose-built wellness retreat in Cheshire. Here, we explore how Tramadol addiction happens, the signs and symptoms of tramadol abuse and how to prevent and treat it with help from painkiller addiction specialists.

Signs of Tramadol abuse and misuse

Classed as one of the least addictive opiates, Tramadol is often wrongly assumed to be a harmless prescription drug. This means people are more likely to take higher doses or to use it for longer than their doctor has prescribed.

Because Tramadol works directly on the brain, long-term abuse can affect someone’s judgement and ability to think clearly and logically. You may start to notice changes in a person’s behaviour such as mood swings or a tendency to withdraw from social situations. Someone addicted to Tramadol will try to hide their behaviour and may even lie to loved ones or their doctor to make their drug taking seem normal.
Physical warning signs of Tramadol abuse include vomiting, sweating, loss of appetite, muscle aches, sleep problems, trouble concentrating, dizziness and constant drowsiness. If a person takes too much Tramadol combined with other substances, such as alcohol or antidepressants, Tramadol can severely damage the brain and lead to potentially fatal consequences. A person who takes too much Tramadol may display these symptoms:

Constricted pupils
Extreme weakness
Changes in appetite
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Drowsiness
Slurred speech
Cold, clammy skin
Headaches
Impaired coordination

Long-term painkiller addiction can lead to serious cardiovascular issues and intestinal problems. Tramadol addiction abuse or misuse can also lead to severe adverse reactions, such as seizures and Central Nervous System depression. If Tramadol is taken alongside another substance, more dangerous conditions can develop. Serotonin syndrome is another life-threatening complication of Tramadol misuse which is usually caused by the concurrent use of antidepressants. At Delamere, we are experts at treating prescription drug addiction, which means we can help you safely withdraw from Tramadol and develop coping strategies to move you away from addiction and into active recovery.