Yes, Tramadol is an addictive drug, which means people can develop a strong reliance on it, experience cravings, or find it difficult to stop even when it begins to impact their well-being.
Key Takeaways
- You can get addicted to tramadol, even when you take it as prescribed.
- Tramadol changes how your brain handles pain and feel-good chemicals, which can make you rely on it.
- Regular use — even one pill a day — can build tolerance and lead to tramadol dependence.
- You might notice you're craving tramadol, feeling off without it, or having trouble stopping.
- Recovery is possible, and treatment usually involves detox, therapy, and support from a rehab program.
Why Is Tramadol Addictive?
Tramadol is addictive because it changes how your brain responds to pain and pleasure. It boosts feel-good chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, which can create a sense of calm or euphoria.
Over time, your body may start to rely on the drug to feel normal, necessitating higher doses to experience the same effects. Simultaneously, you feel adverse withdrawal symptoms after the effects of the drug wear off, compelling you to continue using the drug. This drives the cycle of dependence, and, eventually, addiction.
At Avenues Recovery, we understand how quickly tramadol dependence can turn into a full-blown addiction. That’s why we encourage anyone who’s struggling with drug use to reach out for help before things get worse.
What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed as a painkiller to help people manage mild to moderate pain, such as after surgery or for chronic conditions. It interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain to minimize the pain felt by the user while releasing dopamine. Although tramadol is considered a relatively safe drug with a low potential for abuse, dopamine is the hormone that increases happiness, a feeling of contentedness, and reward in the brain, explaining why tramadol is habit-forming and addictive.
What Is Tramadol Addiction?
Tramadol addiction is defined as compulsively using tramadol despite the negative impact it has on the user physically, emotionally, and psychologically. The negative impact caused by addiction includes:
- Harm to physical and mental health
- Strained relationships
- Financial problems
- Struggles at work or school
A tramadol addiction can also be identified when the user experiences physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings when the effects of the drug wear off.
How Addictive Is Tramadol?
According to a 2019 study on tramadol, it is less addictive than some stronger opioids, but it’s not risk-free. Tramadol is considered to have the same strength as codeine and just one-tenth of the potency of morphine. This means that it is not very addictive relative to other drugs. Many people do not know that you can get addicted to tramadol, before it’s too late. Tramadol abuse is relatively common, especially amongst people experiencing acute or chronic pain.
Tramadol has been marketed as a safer, less addictive alternative to other pain-relief opioid medications, such as Percocet and oxycodone, because it contains a lower level of opioid content. These findings have led to doctors prescribing it more quickly than other painkillers, making it easier for people who abuse the drug to get access to it.
What Are the Side Effects of Tramadol Addiction?
Tramadol addiction can cause both physical and mental side effects. Although using tramadol produces the immediate pleasant effects of calm and euphoria, there is much uncomfortable short and long-term damage to the body, emotions, and mind after prolonged tramadol abuse. These include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Loss of concentration
- Slower heart rate
- Slower breathing
When people play around with Tramadol by taking a higher dose than recommended, mixing Tramadol with alcohol or other illicit substances, or both, they risk overdosing, which can lead to death. Signs of an overdose from tramadol include serious symptoms like slowed breathing, unconsciousness, and seizures.
If you suspect that you or your loved one may have overdosed on Tramadol, call for emergency medical services right away. Don’t leave a person who has overdosed alone - stay with them until medical help arrives.
What Are the Symptoms of Tramadol Addiction?
Tramadol addiction can cause a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Common signs include:
- Using up prescribed tramadol medication earlier than expected
- Abusing tramadol despite suffering from physical, emotional, and mental side effects
- Increase arguments and fighting with your loved one about tramadol
- Sudden disinterest in activities, hobbies, and friendships previously enjoyed
- Intense cravings for tramadol and constant thinking about where to get the next dose from
- Constantly increasing the quantity of tramadol to feel the same effects (indication of tolerance)
- Decrease in performance at work, home, or in relationships
- Trying but failing to quit using tramadol
- Experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when not using tramadol (indication of physical dependence)
If you identify two or more of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it could be a sign of tramadol dependence or addiction. Reach out to a mental health professional right away so you can diagnose the addiction and work on a treatment plan.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Tramadol?
When you stop taking tramadol, especially after long-term use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include anxiety, sweating, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, and mood changes. The severity depends on how long and how much you’ve been using the drug, which is why you should always talk to a doctor before stopping abruptly.
Even though tramadol leaves the body usually within a few days, the way it affects the brain — especially after long-term use — can stick around much longer. That’s why people often still feel symptoms or emotional ups and downs, even after the drug itself is gone.
What Factors Increase Tramadol Addiction Risk?
You're at a higher risk of developing a tramadol addiction if you’ve been exposed to drugs early on, feel pressure from friends, have a family history of addiction, or struggle with your mental health. Below are the main risk factors explained:
Environmental Factors
People who are exposed to drugs at a young age, such as children whose parents use drugs, are at greater risk of becoming addicted to drugs themselves. Peer pressure is also a significant cause of addiction, so people whose friends are abusing drugs are more likely to try it out and eventually become addicted. This is especially true for young children and teenagers who are not always capable of making rational, mature decisions since their brains are still developing, with areas such as risk assessment, self-control, and impulse control not fully formed yet.
Genetic Factors
It has long been believed that there are people who are more likely to develop addiction due to genetics. An ‘addictive personality’ refers to people who engage in risky, impulsive behavior and have a love for thrilling, exciting activities. People who fit the bill for an ‘addictive personality’ can learn skills like self-control to help minimize the risk of becoming addicted.
Psychological Factors
People who struggle with mental health issues can use drugs to self-medicate. Since tramadol makes the user feel calm and euphoric, people who are unhappy or battling emotional and mental conditions may abuse tramadol or other substances to banish the dark, uncomfortable feelings and feel removed temporarily from their complex emotions.
How Is Tramadol Addiction Treated?
Tramadol addiction is treated through a mix of detox, therapy, and support. Most people start by safely coming off the drug, then work with counselors to understand their triggers and build healthier coping tools. Rehab programs, such as the expert care at Avenues Recovery, offer structure, support, and guidance to help you create a lasting recovery.
If you suspect you may already be dependent on or addicted to tramadol, reach out for help. Our team has a wealth of experience helping people recover from addictions with one-on-one and group therapies, support groups, and more. Your journey to healing is closer than you think. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today to take your first step towards a happier, healthier, and addiction-free future.
FAQs About Tramadol Addiction
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Is tramadol habit-forming? How is that different from addiction?
Yes, tramadol can be habit-forming, which is different from addiction. Habit-forming means your body may grow used to the drug, which leads to tolerance or mild withdrawal. When someone is addicted, they have cravings for the drug and can lose control of themselves. While tramadol is less addictive than stronger opioids, long-term use can still lead to dependence or addiction.
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How long does it take to become addicted to tramadol?
Addiction to tramadol can develop in a few weeks, especially with regular high doses. While the exact timeline varies by person, taking tramadol daily over an extended period—particularly without medical supervision—increases the risk of developing dependence and addiction.
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Is one tramadol a day addictive?
Taking one tramadol a day can lead to dependence over time, especially with long-term use or without medical supervision. Even low daily doses may cause the body to build tolerance, increasing the risk of addiction.
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What can I do if a loved one is addicted to tramadol?
If a loved one is addicted to tramadol, encourage them to seek professional help. Addiction often comes with denial, so they may not see the problem right away. Try to approach them with care and patience, not judgment. Just starting the conversation can be a powerful first step toward recovery.