Tramadol Withdrawal Duration, Symptoms & Treatments

Sometimes known by brand names such as Ultram, tramadol is a synthetic opioid. Opioids are a class of drugs that work on the opioid receptors in the brain to provide morphine-like effects. Although drugs such as heroin are still classified as opioids, medical professionals prescribe opioids such as tramadol to people who are suffering from various forms of acute pain.

Because of their pain-relieving properties, people sometimes prefer opioids to over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers because of their effectiveness. But people use tramadol for its prescribed use and for recreational purposes since it can create a euphoric feeling.

According to government statistics, tramadol prescriptions increased from about 23.3 million in 2008 to 43.8 million in 2013, which indicates an 88% spike. Since the opioid is not that difficult to obtain, more people may be developing addictions every day.

Because the body is equipped to adapt and evolve, it can start developing a tolerance to tramadol. When people are tolerant of a drug, they need more of the drug and need it more frequently to feel the same way they did when they first started using it.

Tramadol and other drugs change the body and brain, so people may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using the substances.

Tramadol psychological symptoms

Unlike other opioids such as oxycodone or Percocet, tramadol works to suppress pain in two ways: inhibiting norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake and by stimulating opioid receptors. For this reason, withdrawal from tramadol can produce other symptoms typically not seen with other opioids. This means the detox can create psychological symptoms such as:

• Hallucinations
• Intense paranoia
• Unusual sensory experiences, including numbness and prickling in the extremities
• High anxiety and panic
• Confusion and disorientation

Tramadol Detox

If you want to stop using tramadol, you need to detox. For people who have taken tramadol a while, changes occur in the brain and the body to convince them that they cannot function without tramadol. That is why after your last dose, you may feel a powerful urge to use more, even when you no longer need the prescription.

Generally, you can expect the withdrawal process to follow a tramadol detox timeline. If you’re wondering how long do tramadol withdrawal symptoms last, here are :

• 6-12 hours: During the first 6-12 hours after your last dose, you will notice some minor signs of withdrawal. To the untrained eye, it might look like the flu because you may just be sweating and having watery eyes, a runny nose, and body aches.
• Days 1-3: These first few days maybe some of the toughest you have ever faced. The symptoms of withdrawal are usually at their peak during this time. Since the body is reeling from the decreased amount of tramadol in your system, you should expect to experience more flu-like symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, chills, stomach cramping, depression, and a very intense craving for the drug.
• Days 4-7: At this time, most of the tramadol is out of your system. Therefore the symptoms should have decreased significantly, but you might still be experiencing discomfort. You could be experiencing intestinal issues, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, and even more cravings. Sleep quality and quantity are much better at this time, though.
• Weeks 2-3: For the next few weeks, sleep quality will continue to improve, but you may still have to contend with mood swings. The physical aches at this point should be over, but psychological problems may persist. During these first few weeks of being clean, it’s essential to seek professional assistance to prevent a relapse. Here you will find the support you need to deal with underlying issues in your life and get stronger every day.

Tramadol Withdrawal Guidelines

Most people think that they can kick a habit such as tramadol addiction by themselves. If they do that, their experience probably won’t be so pleasant. The process can be mild, moderate, or brutal, depending on how the person has been taking tramadol.

Since withdrawal timelines can be uncomfortable, even dangerous, it’s advisable to do it in the presence of medical professionals. When people use tramadol in combination with other drugs, it can create chemical reactions that are more dangerous than taking the opioid by itself.

According to a survey that studied why people visit emergency rooms (ERs), about 40% of the people who visited because of tramadol-related complications reported that they combined tramadol with other sedatives and painkillers for a more intense high.

Although such combinations may produce a more intense high, they also create much higher risks of dying from seizures. Tramadol is highly associated with seizures. Using the drug could create seizures, even for people with no previous histories of seizures.

People who have had previous seizures or experienced traumatic brain injuries also faced higher odds of experiencing seizures during withdrawal, which could lead to tramadol withdrawal death. Because of these risks, seasoned medical professionals should monitor people in case anything happens and they need to save someone’s life.

Because tapering can be very effective in helping people get clean, doctors can create a series of steps and dosing protocols that can help manage the symptoms of withdrawal. This can prevent people from experiencing too many symptoms too soon and allows everyone to handle the problem.

If the symptoms of withdrawal are too intense, medical professionals can help people manage them so that they can find relief. For example, some medications help with withdrawal symptoms. Some of these drugs include:

• Metoclopramide for nausea and vomiting
• Clonidine for anxiety and sweating
• Loperamide for diarrhea
• Valium for anxiety
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for muscle aches
• Buprenorphine to lessen the effects of withdrawal symptoms

Long-Term Treatment

Since some people need a pain reliever for long-term use because of an injury or another condition, they may develop a physical dependence on the drug. Although you might not need any additional treatment, it’s important that you develop a strategy to deal with the pain after tapering off your medication. Otherwise, you could become dependent on the drug again.

If you were using the drug for recreational reasons, you may be facing additional problems trying to become (or stay) sober. While some people have the willpower to stop and not use again, others need some encouragement, assistance, and structure to find their way to recovery.

Some people work with psychiatrists to help them through their journeys. Psychiatrists help people explore the deep and hidden issues that prompted them to abuse tramadol in the first place.

By addressing these issues, you empower yourself and create an environment where you are less likely to slip back into your past thoughts and actions. If you want to kick a tramadol addiction, we could be your partner. We’ll be with you during detox and work to provide the professional care you deserve.

Other Withdrawal Timeline Information

• Alcohol
• Ambien
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Hydrocodone
• Klonopin
• Kratom
• Marijuana
• Methadone
• Opiates
• Oxycontin
• Phenibut
• Vicodin