Prescription opiate addiction has been a serious and complex problem in the U.S., with surveys estimating that approximately 2.1 million individuals in the country abuse opioids. Sadly, individuals with an addiction often experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that can increase the chances of relapse. Various treatments have been used to deal with opioid withdrawal, and some doctors have backed the use of Tramadol.

But is it really good to use Tramadol in treating opiate addiction? Let’s find out!

What is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a drug used to treat the withdrawal symptoms that come with trying to beat addiction to prescription opiates. Ironically, the drug has opiate-like properties, which means it has a high probability of becoming an addictive drug itself. So, it sounds counterproductive to suggest that Tramadol can be used as a treatment against nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, and other nasty symptoms associated with withdrawal. The most effective alternative treatment is one that offers complete withdrawal from Tramadol  and demonstrates clinically meaningful reduction of illicit drug use and relapse

Tramadol Side Effects

Tramadol is not an effective treatment for withdrawal due to the simple fact that it is an opiate itself. This means that it poses the risk of addiction or dependency. It may also cause other unpleasant side effects. Some of the common side effects include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Constipation

Tramadol may also cause other severe side effects that may be life-threatening and lead to medical emergencies. For instance, some studies have shown that it can cause slowed breathing rate or difficulties in breathing. In fact, this is a common side effect with opiate abuse and often contributes to dizziness or confusion. Additionally, it can lead to dependence as well as withdrawal when it comes to stopping the use of the drug. Some symptoms of dependence include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling irritable, restless or anxious
• Diarrhea and stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Alternative Treatment Programs

When it comes to alternatives to Tramadol, there are other more effective solutions; rapid detox and Accelerated Neuroregulation (ANR). 

Rapid detox involves placing the patient under anesthesia and administering drugs to accelerate the withdrawal process. Since the patient is asleep during the procedure, he/she doesn’t feel the intense symptoms of withdrawal. The procedure is relatively painless and patients can recover in a few days.

On the other hand, Accelerated Neuroregulation (ANR) involves acute weaning from opioid abuse during general anesthesia. It is tailored according to each patient’s medical and drug history. The method achieves cleansing of the receptors, hence decreasing the withdrawal syndrome period to a couple of hours while the patient is unconscious. In one study to establish the effectiveness of ANR in reversing the physical and psychological dependency on heroin, all the 361 patients successfully detoxified after 10-12 months without anyone experiencing adverse effects.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, Tramadol has a huge potential to become a substitute drug of abuse by anyone trying to beat opioid addiction. So, it makes no logical sense why anyone trying to beat an addiction to prescription opioids should look for a solution in Tramadol – another equally addictive prescription medication.  On the contrary, rapid detox and ANR are performed under strict medical supervision and care before, during and after the procedure has been administered.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.