Is Tramadol a Narcotic: Everything You Need to Know

Navigation:

• What is Tramadol?

• Is Tramadol a Narcotic?

• What are the Effects of Tramadol Abuse?

Tramadol may be less potent than other opioid pain relievers, but it’s still a dangerous substance that comes with its own set of risks. You need to know as much as you can about it so that you’ll know what to do in case your doctor prescribes this.

Now keep in mind that prescription medications are not inherently bad. But their habit-forming properties make users very susceptible to the temptations of drug abuse. Some people have a higher risk of getting addicted due to genetic or environmental components. But at the end of the day, misusing these medications can put anyone at risk of addiction.

So while you may have heard of the opioid crisis, there’s no reason to be wary of your doctor if they give you an opioid painkiller. It simply means that you have to be more careful with them.

What is Tramadol?

This drug is an opioid pain reliever. But what sets it apart is the fact that it is much less potent compared to the other painkillers in the same category. Tramadol falls into the family that includes Oxycodone and Fentanyl. But of course, Tramadol remains considerably weaker.

Because of its lower potency, Tramadol is ideal for people who are in moderate pain following an injury, or those who are recovering from surgery.

This drug is commonly prescribed as Conzip, but generic alternatives are also available.

Now because it is weaker than other opioids, people think it is safer to abuse Tramadol and that they can’t get addicted to it. This is, of course, a misconception.

Is Tramadol a Narcotic?

All opioids are narcotics. The same can be said for opiates. Tramadol, as an opioid, is, therefore, a narcotic. In the medical industry, narcotics only refer to those two types of drugs: opiates, which are naturally derived from the opium poppy plant; and opioids, which are synthetic and semi-synthetic derivatives.

This can confuse people because they often hear the word narcotic being used in the news and in law enforcement to refer to all sorts of illegal drugs. This is technically not the case.

Now if you abuse Tramadol, it means you are not following the prescription, and therefore you are still using an illegal drug—even if your doctor gave it to you. Be sure to follow their prescription and do not take larger doses of this painkiller.

Avoid taking this drug more often than you are supposed to. Do not share it with anyone else, especially someone who has a history with substance abuse. It is still highly addictive even though it is less potent. Underestimating a prescription painkiller can lead to disastrous results.

What are the Effects of Tramadol Abuse?

The drug is abused recreationally, and so it even has street names such as Trammies, Chill Pills, and Ultras. The last one may be named after Ultram, a brand that is no longer available on the market.

Like all other opioids, this drug is a depressant. It slows down brain activity and blocks pain signals. It also creates a euphoric sensation which makes the user more likely to abuse it.

Using Tramadol can come with side effects. The user is more likely to encounter these adverse reactions if they misuse it and take large doses. Common side effects include sleepiness, headaches, nervousness, shaking, muscle stiffness, anxiety, insomnia, dry mouth, heartburn, and indigestion.

Overusing this drug can cause severe symptoms like coma, seizures, loss of consciousness, slow heart rate, respiratory depression, and low blood pressure.

Opioid abuse can also develop tolerance, dependence, and addiction. If you or someone you love is addicted to Tramadol or any other opioid, look for an addiction treatment facility near you today.

A comprehensive treatment program that caters to the patient’s specific needs can go a long way in their fight against addiction.