If you are
taking Tramadol, you are at risk of developing an
addiction to it.
A 2016 report
from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) shows opioids are involved in more than half of
all the cases of overdose deaths. Therefore, a clear and accurate understanding
of any medication use is extremely important while using Tramadol in order to
prevent or minimize the risk of addiction.
Some simple,
yet very effective precautions can go a long way in preventing or controlling
an addiction, and in some cases, can prevent an overdose death.
How to Combat Your
Need for Tramadol
Tramadol is a
pain medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It works by
interacting with the specific sites in your brain called opioid receptors,
similar to that of a narcotic called morphine. It is also called an opioid or a
narcotic analgesic. Due to its potential for addiction and abuse, this
medication is available only under the prescription of a registered doctor. You
are still at a significant risk of addiction even when you use this medication
in the recommended doses.
What You Should Know About Tramadol
Before taking Tramadol
●
Learn
enough about the medication, its use, side effects, and any other factor that
may affect your health, such as addiction liability.
●
Clearly
discuss with your doctor about any issue or confusion regarding the use of this
medication.
While taking Tramadol
●
Avoid
taking different doses, against the recommendation of your doctor. Make sure
you listen to your doctor and pharmacist carefully to grasp every bit of
information, and follow accordingly. Altered doses or frequency of
administration may increase chances of addiction.
●
Do
not miss any doses; if you miss a dose, take it immediately once you remember.
But make sure you do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Taking double doses can make you more prone to addiction and increase the side
effects.
Signs of a Tramadol Addiction
●
Unusual
cravings for the medication.
● Gradual development of tolerance,
that is, you need higher amounts of the medication to produce desired effects.
● Attempts at continuing the medication
even after completing the course through irrational means.
● Underperforming at school or your job
without any other obvious reasons.
● Social isolation or strained
relationships due to addictive behaviors.
●
Voluntarily
taking more than the recommended dose or taking medication more frequently.
In addition,
medications in the opiod class, including Tramadol, are notorious for their
ability to cause withdrawal symptoms, which means you may experience various
undesirable side effects while discontinuing these medications. Therefore, do
not stop taking this medication without consulting with your doctor first. Your
doctor can advise you to gradually taper the doses before completely stopping
the medication altogether.
Any addiction to medication is serious. A
medication is both an elixir and a poison. The outcomes of a medication are
often guided by the way you use it. Using a medication correctly ensures that
you get relief from your poor health, but the opposite can cause more harm than
the good. Therefore, it is very essential that you follow your doctor’s
instructions while using any medication.
If you happen
to observe any sign of a Tramadol addiction, immediately consult with your
doctor. Remember, the best doctors near you are just a click away.
