{"id":4196,"date":"2023-08-02T06:39:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T06:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=4196"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:36:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T12:36:41","slug":"addiction","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/tramadol\/addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Tramadol Side Effects and Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tramadol is used to treat chronic pain, but can also be addictive. Learn about the side effects of tramadol use and the signs of tramadol addiction.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/drugs\/tramadol\/\">Tramadol<\/a>&nbsp;is a pain medication that is commonly given to people with ongoing moderate or moderately-severe pain. Due to its opioid-like effects, when tramadol is used inappropriately or other than intended, it can be addictive. It is therefore important to understand tramadol side effects and tramadol addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is Tramadol Abused?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tramadol abuse occurs when an individual uses tramadol in ways other than its intended use. Tramadol is a pain-relieving medication that can have euphoric effects when taken at doses higher than the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2010\/022370s000lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recommended daily use<\/a>. When people are seeking this euphoric effect, they may use alternate routes of administration of the drug including direct injection and snorting the powder from crushed pills. Both of these routes are dangerous and tramadol should never be taken this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Becoming Addicted to Tramadol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tramadol is considered an addictive substance due to its effects on the brain. When taken in amounts larger than intended, it can cause a euphoric sensation, or \u201chigh.\u201d A person seeking that high feeling may use increasing amounts of the drug to achieve it. When this happens, they are at risk of becoming addicted to tramadol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two common questions about tramadol addiction are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can you get addicted to tramadol? Yes, tramadol is considered an addictive drug due to its effects on the brain.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov\/drug_chem_info\/tramadol.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tramadol is classified as a Schedule IV<\/a>&nbsp;by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning that it has a low potential for abuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How long does it take to get addicted to tramadol? This factor depends on a variety of elements, including the demographics of the person using the drug (age, weight, health, family history, etc.), how much tramadol they are using at once and the route of administration they are using. A person that already has another kind of substance use disorder may also be at increased risk of becoming addicted to tramadol.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Side Effects of Tramadol Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The side effects experienced by someone addicted to tramadol will vary from the normal side effects of the drug. The difference in side effects is due to long term use of tramadol. Side effects of tramadol addiction can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tramadol Abuse Facts and Statistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As tramadol use has become more common, misuse of tramadol has increased. In 2017, it was estimated that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/report\/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">0.6% of individuals over the age of 12<\/a>&nbsp;misused tramadol in the past year. This number has been increasing in recent years due to the increased availability of the drug from an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/report_1965\/ShortReport-1965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">increase in the number of prescriptions written<\/a>. The use of tramadol among different groups includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tramadol Abuse and Treatment Trends in South Florida<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There has been a growing trend of drug abuse in South Florida. In 2010, there was a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsipp.org\/pdf\/news\/Prescription_Drug_Abuse_in_Florida_August_2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sharp increase in prescription drug abuse<\/a>, with 5,647 drug-related deaths. Prescription&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/opioids\/addiction\/\">opioids<\/a>&nbsp;were the drug most often detected in the deceased. The rate of non-medical use of prescription drugs, particularly&nbsp;<a href=\"\/drugs\/oxycodone\/addiction\/\">oxycodone<\/a>, was significantly increased in Florida compared to the rest of the United States \u2014 especially among 21 to 29-year-olds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within prescription opioids, tramadol is one of the most prescribed, with the number of prescriptions&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.floridahealth.gov\/statistics-and-data\/e-forcse\/funding\/2017pdmpannualreport.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">consistently increasing<\/a>&nbsp;from year-to-year among Floridians. From 2012 to 2013, there was an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamicoalition.org\/doc\/Miami%20Dade%20Drug%20Abuse%20Trends%20-%20June%202014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8% increase<\/a>&nbsp;in the number of drug-related deaths where tramadol was detected in the deceased. In an effort to reduce the prescription of opioids and therefore make them less accessible, the Florida government passed a law in 2018 limiting the number of pills a doctor can prescribe at once. Unless a patient has a proven chronic condition, doctors are limited to writing only three- or seven-day prescriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tramadol Overdose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tramadol overdose can occur when a person uses very high doses of tramadol. This event is more likely to occur with chronic use and when the person requires higher doses of tramadol in order to feel its euphoric effects. When a person becomes dependent on tramadol, they may no longer experience a \u201chigh\u201d with its use. This change may lead them to try taking more and more of the drug to feel the euphoric effect again. If a person takes too much tramadol, they may overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tramadol overdose can cause&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25901965\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seizures and respiratory depression,<\/a>&nbsp;to the point where a person may stop breathing. Tramadol overdose is often associated with the use of other substances, but tramadol overdose&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/28767538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">alone can be fatal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Treat Tramadol Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"\/drugs\/tramadol\/treatment-rehab\/\">Treating tramadol addiction<\/a>&nbsp;involves a series of steps to get the person to stop using tramadol and then have them avoid using it again in the future. Common treatment plans for tramadol addiction can include:<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tramadol is used to treat chronic pain, but can also be addictive. Learn about the side effects of tramadol use and the signs of tramadol addiction. Tramadol&nbsp;is a pain medication that is commonly given to people with ongoing moderate or moderately-severe pain. Due to its opioid-like effects, when tramadol is used inappropriately or other than [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":4181,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[98],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-4196","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","category-tramadol","tag-opioids"],"acf":{"written_by":317,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":313,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"<i>Last Updated<\/i> - <b>12\/29\/22<\/b>","page_first_published_date":null,"page_last_edit_date":null,"highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\"><b>888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"<strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Tramadol has the potential to be addicting if it is used in ways other than recommended<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Chronic tramadol use can cause liver problems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The side effects of tramadol addiction are different from the side effects of normal use due to the long-term use by people who have a tramadol addiction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>There are a variety of treatment options available for a person to overcome a tramadol addiction<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"Food and Drug Administration. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2010\/022370s000lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tramadol Prescribing Information<\/a>.\u201d Updated May, 2010. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nDrug Enforcement Administration \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov\/drug_chem_info\/tramadol.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tramadol<\/a>.\u201d October 2018. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nRyan, N.M.; Isbister, G.K. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25901965\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tramadol overdose causes seizures and respiratory depression but serotonin toxicity appears unlikely.<\/a>\u201d Clinical Toxicology, July 2015. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nAtici, S.; Cinel, I.; Cinel, L.; Doruk, N.; Eskandari, G.; Oral, U. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/15886461\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liver and kidney toxicity in chronic use of opioids: an experimental long term treatment model.<\/a>\u201d Journal of Biosciences, March 2005. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nBose, Jonaki; Hedden, Sarra L.; Lipari, Rachel N.; Park-Lee, Eunice. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/report\/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health<\/a>.\u201d Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nBush, Donna M. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/sites\/default\/files\/report_1965\/ShortReport-1965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Emergency Department visits for adverse reactions involving the pain medication tramadol<\/a>.\u201d Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, May 14, 2015.\u00a0 Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nMartyn-St James, M.; Cooper, K.; Kaltenthaler, E.; Dickinson, K.; Cantrell, A.; Wylie, K.; Frodsham, L.; Hood, C. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25636495\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tramadol for premature ejaculation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.<\/a>\u201d BMC Urology, January 30, 2015. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nHall, James. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsipp.org\/pdf\/news\/Prescription_Drug_Abuse_in_Florida_August_2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trends of Nonmedical Prescription Drug Misuse in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties, and the State of Florida: 2010<\/a>.\u201d Epidemiologic Trends in Prescription Drug Misuse. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nScott, Rick; Philip, Celeste; Poston, Rebecca. \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.floridahealth.gov\/statistics-and-data\/e-forcse\/funding\/2017pdmpannualreport.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2016-2017 Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Annual Report<\/a>.\u201d Florida Health E-FORCSE Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation, December 1, 2017. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nHall, James. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamicoalition.org\/doc\/Miami%20Dade%20Drug%20Abuse%20Trends%20-%20June%202014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drug Abuse Trends in Miami-Dade County Florida: June 2014<\/a>.\u201d The Miami Coalition. Accessed July 26, 2019.\r\n\r\nGioia, S.; Lancia, M.; Bacci, M.; Suadoni, F. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/28767538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Two Fatal Intoxications Due to Tramadol Alone: Autopsy Case Reports and Review of the Literature.<\/a>\u201d The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, December, 2017. Accessed July 26, 2019."},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":317},{"staff_member_title":"Medically Reviewed By ","select_staff_member":313}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4196\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/4181"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/313"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}