Sometimes, in the midst of the Opioid Crisis, we tend to focus our attention on illegal drugs like heroin and particularly nasty medications like fentanyl and OxyContin, while other drugs slip past the radar. One drug in this category of lesser-touched-upon opioids is Tramadol, a synthetic painkiller that is designed to treat pain ranging from mild to severe, which may help you realize why this drug is also a dangerous component to our national health scare. After all, Tramadol is specifically designed to help people cope with painful but tolerable discomfort. Given this information, how long does this drug specifically stay in your system? What can be expected after consuming it? Let’s take a closer look and find out some more information.
Extended Relief and Extended Abuse
Simply put, Tramadol is designed to (obviously) mute your pain receptors and (as a result) block the transmission and reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine. After people consume this medication, pain relief usually takes place in 1 hour and begins to take full effect after a period of 2 to 4 hours. On that note, some varieties of Tramadol are designed for extended release to provide doses of painkiller over a longer period of time than a normal drug of this nature could provide.
As with any other opioid medication, however, Tramadol can produce some nasty side effects. People who consume this drug will exhibit pinprick pupils and suffer from severe constipation. Likewise, users may potentially experience flushing, itching, or sweating and feel faint due to the drug’s nasty ability to constrict blood vessels.
A Chance for Overdose or Drug Interactions
In the case of any medication of this nature, the best way for you to prevent an overdose or develop a potential for abuse (or addiction) is to take the opioids as instructed. Also, never crush the tablets and dissolve them, as you could accidentally administer a near-fatal dose in a second. Likewise, Tramadol itself clashes with other medications and intoxicating drugs including benzodiazepines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), and alcohol. Here are some of the side effects of a Tramadol overdose:
- Pinprick pupils
- Labored breathing
- Slowed heartbeat
- Fatigue, come, and/or unconsciousness
- Weak muscles
- Clamminess
Seeking Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
The Opioid Crisis is fueled by more than illegal drugs or powerful medications, as we have seen. Even the least dangerous opioids on our market can still spur abuse or addiction under the right (or, perhaps, wrong) conditions, especially for people who have a history of these mental problems. If you are suffering from opioid abuse or addiction of any sort, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you separate yourself from these substances.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can take the first steps toward beating this Opioid Crisis of America.
