Tramadol Withdrawal and Treatment Options

Tramadol treats moderate-to-severe pain, both chronic and acute, but it also produces mind-altering affects similar to other opioids like heroin, causing physical dependence and addiction when abused.

Stopping Tramadol abruptly can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms even in patients using it as prescribed for long term pain. Gradually reducing the dose before quitting may be enough to avoid withdrawals if used as prescribed, but Tramadol abusers with dependency should undergo detox. The detox process stops withdrawal symptoms that can make quitting the drug difficult.

Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms

Tramadol withdrawal symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Sleeplessness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Extreme stiffness
• Hallucinations

Patients can prevent or reduce the severity of these symptoms by undergoing proper withdrawal treatment.

Withdrawing from Tramadol: Options for Help

Ironically, the opioid agonist properties that make Tramadol addictive also make them useful in treating withdrawals caused by other opioids like heroin and hydrocodone. Activating the opioid receptors causes euphoria. Tramadol abusers use this pleasant, other-worldly sensation to escape stress or for recreation. It is sometimes abused to avoid the withdrawal caused by more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine, which are often more expensive than Tramadol.

Experienced addiction treatment specialists can more safely carry out withdrawal treatment in a closely monitored inpatient setting. First, they determine if a patient is abused drugs besides Tramadol, which will allow them to adjust the detox process. Next, they carefully select medications to help the patient through their withdrawals. The use of other opioid agonists like methadone is avoided, and medications used to block cravings are used instead.

Outpatient treatment is only feasible if the patient hasn’t abused Tramadol and is recovering from long term medication use. The withdrawals are too severe otherwise.

Detoxing, Addiction Treatment, Rehab, and Recovery

Medical detox puts an end to physical Tramadol dependence. It is the first and most urgent step to recovering from Tramadol addiction. After careful treatment of Tramadol withdrawal with substitute medications, treatments dealing with the root of addiction begin.

A time-tested method of treating Tramadol abuse is intensive counseling using behavioral modification therapy. Once the patient has been medically stabilized, this process starts in a residential setting. Long term outpatient counseling and therapy starts after roughly a month of residential treatment.

Support groups connect people with a history of Tramadol addiction to improve recovery. Patients overcome their addiction using the classic 12-step program and many other options.

Treating Tramadol withdrawal symptoms makes recovery easier but doesn’t end abuse or dependency on its own. It is the first step on a journey overcoming personal issues and achieving self-reliance. More constructive outlets like sports and hobbies replace the effects of Tramadol and play an important role in recovery.

Call if you or a loved one is ready to quit Tramadol and find help. We recommend rehabilitation facilities to help with your withdrawal and recovery.