Tramadol is a prescription opioid medication used to treat the symptoms of moderate pain, typically after surgery or an injury. While it is effective in relieving the symptoms of pain, it is also known to be habit-forming and addictive.
Because you can become addicted to tramadol, you can also experience withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking it. These symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to extremely difficult to cope with, making it vital that you seek professional help.
What are the Symptoms of Tramadol Withdrawal?
Tramadol is a little bit different from other opioids because it also causes monoamine reuptake inhibition. This means that the withdrawal symptoms associated with tramadol might differ from other traditional opioid painkillers like hydrocodone or oxycodone. However, it is most common for the symptoms of tramadol withdrawal to include flu-like symptoms and a general feeling of discomfort.
Common symptoms of tramadol withdrawal include:
- Body aches and pains
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Goosebumps and shivering
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- Excessive sweating
- Paranoia and anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Confusion
- Numbness or tingling
While these withdrawal symptoms are not inherently life-threatening, they can be really difficult to cope with. Withdrawal discomfort can cause someone to relapse to soothe their symptoms. Relapsing on an opioid after a period of abstinence can be incredibly dangerous and pose a risk of overdosing, as you no longer have a tolerance for the substance.
You should always seek help from an opioid detox program when you are stopping the use of tramadol after a period of addiction.
How Long Does Tramadol Withdrawal Last?
How long tramadol withdrawal lasts will depend on a variety of personal factors, including how often you abused the substance, the dose you took, and your overall health.
The general timeline for tramadol withdrawal is as follows:
12 to 24 Hours
Because tramadol is a short-acting opioid, you might begin to experience symptoms 12 to 24 hours after your last dose. Typically, the initial symptoms of withdrawal are mild. You may experience a general feeling of discomfort, cravings for tramadol, and nausea.
36 to 72 Hours
Sometime between 36 to 72 hours after your last dose of tramadol, your symptoms will begin to peak. You may experience nausea, vomiting, tremors, high levels of anxiety, cravings, and paranoia or confusion.
5 to 8 Days
Between 5 to 8 days, your symptoms of withdrawal will begin to subside. Some individuals may continue to experience psychological symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. Thankfully, medical detox programs can provide you with the proper medications to manage these symptoms until your body returns to normal.
How is Tramadol Withdrawal Treated?
Tramadol withdrawal must be treated under the supervision of a medical detox facility. Doctors at detox centers can prescribe medications like Suboxone to limit your symptoms and suppress your cravings for tramadol.
In addition to medications, you will be monitored on a 24/7 basis to ensure physical and mental health. This might include the monitoring of your vital signs and frequent mental health check-ins with licensed professionals.
The goal of tramadol detox is to provide you with the treatment and support necessary while your body eliminates the substance from your system. Once you are medically stable, you will transition into an addiction treatment program that can provide you with the therapy and counseling necessary to maintain long-term sobriety from tramadol and other substances.
Find Help for Tramadol Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one are addicted to tramadol or another type of prescription opioid, it’s time to seek help. Prescription opioid addiction can lead to life-threatening emergencies such as overdoses and long-term health effects. To prevent yourself from experiencing the consequences of opioid addiction, you should always seek treatment from a drug rehab facility.
At Archstone Behavioral Health, we believe that it is vital for treatment providers to assist clients in finding a passion for life. Our goal is to do just that; to guide our clients toward discovering something that gives them purpose.
Our licensed and experienced medical staff can provide you with the support and treatment necessary to maintain long-term sobriety from tramadol and other opioid drugs. To learn more about our prescription opioid rehab program, contact Archstone Behavioral Health Center today.
References:
- The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): Drug Overdose Death Rates, Retrieved June 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH): Tramadol, Retrieved June 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2714818/
