Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms, Side-Effects, & Timeline: How To Detox Safely From Tramadol

Tramadol is a medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain associated with different medical disorders. It belongs in the class of drugs called opioid analgesics and works with the brain’s chemistry to change how the body perceives and responds to pain signals.

 

Tramadol is a medication that only a doctor can prescribe. It is a highly addictive drug with an intense potential for misuse, abuse, and addiction. In addition, many side effects can come with taking Tramadol by a prescription or illegally.

 

Not only are there short-term side effects of Tramadol use, but there can be long-term serious side effects caused by Tramadol abuse. It is important to understand the symptoms and side effects of Tramadol and the side effects and symptoms of Tramadol withdrawal.

 

Tramadol works by latching onto the opioid receptors in the body, which can be more effective for some people than others. Many people experience an addiction to opioids, and Tramadol is a common cause of opioid addiction.

 

Tramadol is a powerful drug that has a high potential to cause overdose or death. Therefore, people suffering from a Tramadol addiction are at a much higher risk of experiencing a tramadol overdose or death from Tramadol because of their addiction.

 

Knowing the symptoms and signs of Tramadol withdrawal is important because opioid withdrawal can also cause death. Taking care of yourself while dealing with an opioid withdrawal is essential.

 

Please continue reading to understand the symptoms and signs of a Tramadol withdrawal and learn about the timeline of a Tramadol withdrawal and why you should never try to brave an opioid withdrawal by yourself.

Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms & Side-Effects

 

Tramadol is an incredibly addictive drug, and many people who take this opioid analgesic are putting themselves in a position where there is a potential for abuse or addiction. Tramadol is a Schedule IV drug and is generally thought to be safer and less addictive than other opioids, but that is not entirely correct.

 

Opioids, in general, pose a huge risk of addiction, regardless of whether they are long-acting or short-acting. Tramadol is a long-acting opioid, and when compared to shorter-acting opioids, the research suggests Tramadol was safer. Today, science does not fully back that claim.

 

Tramadol works in a slightly different way than other opioids in its class. Tramadol is active on the opioid receptors, triggering the chemical chain reaction from the receptors. However, it is also active in monoamine reuptake systems. This directly counteracts norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake patterns, which boosts those neurotransmitters’ activity, which results in lowered reception of pain in the brain.

 

Many neurotransmitters and chemicals activated or inhibited by Tramadol are related to our brain’s reward system and pleasure centers. This can cause us to become chemically and physically addicted to a substance when it triggers those chemicals.

 

Because Tramadol activates and inhibits different chemicals, it has a high potential for addiction. As a result, many people will suffer Tramadol withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. Tramadol withdrawal symptoms can occur regardless of whether the person was taking the drug legally or illegally.

 

The most common symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal are in the following list.

 

• Craving Tramadol
• Excessive sweating
• Muscle aches and pains
• Insomnia or sleeping issues
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Chills
• Stomach pains or cramps
• Nausea
• Runny nose
• Fatigue and excessive yawning
• Diarrhea
• Watery eyes

 

Typically, the longer the person consumes Tramadol, the worse their withdrawal symptoms will be. In addition, the higher the dosage of Tramadol, the worse the symptoms will be.

 

Essentially, a person taking high dosages of Tramadol for a long time will have a more intense withdrawal and detox experience than someone taking smaller doses of Tramadol for a shorter time.

 

Dealing with the withdrawal symptoms of Tramadol is a difficult process, and many people become extremely uncomfortable during withdrawal. Therefore, it is important to monitor your symptoms during withdrawal and seek help when needed.

 

Opioid withdrawals can often turn fatal due to dehydration caused by vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or fevers. Therefore, dehydration is a serious concern, and many people end up needing medical attention for dehydration due to going through Tramadol withdrawal.

Many people will try to mitigate Tramadol withdrawal symptoms by easing or weaning off the drug. However, quitting Tramadol or other opioids cold turkey is dangerous and usually a very painful experience. Weaning off Tramadol is the best way to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by opioid withdrawal.

 

Opioid withdrawal, including Tramadol, is safest when done under the medical care of a professional. Medical professionals can monitor individuals dealing with detox symptoms to ensure they are safe and as comfortable as they can be. They can also help wean the patient off the drugs in the safest way possible to lower the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms while productively getting them off opioids.

Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms Timeline

 

Individuals dealing with a Tramadol detox and withdrawal typically experience withdrawal symptoms that last between 4-10 days. Tramadol withdrawal symptoms typically begin within a few hours after the last dose of Tramadol has worn off. The individual begins to feel discomfort and crave the drug due to a lower content of Tramadol in the body.

 

While typical symptoms last up to a week, some symptoms of Tramadol withdrawal and detox can last several weeks after the peak symptoms. This usually depends on the duration of drug use and how much Tramadol the individual took each day.

 

The longer the individual takes Tramadol and the higher amount, the longer the withdrawal symptoms will last after the peak.

 

For most people dealing with withdrawal from Tramadol, their physical symptoms will completely leave after two weeks. The psychological symptoms, however, frequently last much longer than the physical symptoms.

 

Within the first three days of withdrawal, the person experiencing detox will begin to feel the first symptoms. This usually includes feelings of numbness, the sensation of pins and needles in their extremities, anxiety, and other anxious expressions. Excessive sweating, drug cravings, and insomnia are also common.

 

The individual will likely feel intense withdrawal symptoms from the fourth to the seventh day of withdrawal. They will feel powerful drug cravings and typically experience insomnia and confusion. during this time, withdrawal symptoms often peak.

 

After one week of withdrawal, the individual will begin to experience the tapering off of the physical symptoms of detox. From one week to approximately two weeks after the last dose of Tramadol, the patient will likely experience intense psychological symptoms.

 

The psychological symptoms often include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, intense drug cravings, and irrational thoughts or behaviors that may present themselves. During this time, monitoring your symptoms and mental health is incredibly important. You must reach out to get psychological care if you need it.

 

Many people can experience suicidal thoughts or actions during this time and throughout the entire withdrawal experience. One of the most dangerous times for relapsing is during the peak symptoms of Tramadol withdrawal, which are from days 4 to 7.

 

Many people will experience overdoses or death due to relapsing during withdrawal. This is because their tolerance had decreased over the few days when they did not take Tramadol or other drugs. When they take drugs again, their body cannot handle the high dosage they were taking because of its lowered tolerance. This can turn fatal or send someone to the hospital very easily.

Why You Should Never Try Detoxing Alone & How To Get The Addiction Treatment Help You Need & Deserve

 

Opioid withdrawals can be very intense, and many people will experience extreme amounts of discomfort or pain during detox. Opioids are very powerful drugs, and even though Tramadol used to be considered an opioid less addictive than others, we know now that that is not completely true.

 

Opioid withdrawals can be incredibly dangerous for the person going through the withdrawal process. The risks of dehydration, relapsing, or psychological distress are incredibly high. These risks are often life-threatening or, at a minimum, incredibly dangerous to deal with alone.

Detoxing alone is not only scary but dangerous. Getting the treatment you need is essential to staying alive and healthy long-term. Treatment centers are a great option for people looking to detox from opioids or other drugs. The professional workers at treatment centers can monitor the condition of people dealing with opioid withdrawal to ensure they do not get to a point where they need emergency medical attention.

 

In addition, treatment centers are designed to make the withdrawal experience more comfortable and productive long-term.

 

If your loved one is planning on detoxing from Tramadol or another opioid drug, please reach out to Epiphany today. At Epiphany, we can help you get through the discomfort, confusion, and emotional distress of opioid withdrawal. We are proud to help our patients and get them on a path to a better life.

 

Sources:

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1. Drug Enforcement Administration. Drug Scheduling. Accessed August 10, 2022. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
2. Sevarino KA. Opioid withdrawal in adults: Clinical manifestations, course, assessment, and diagnosis – UpToDate. Published March 24, 2022. Accessed August 10, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/opioid-withdrawal-in-adults-clinical-manifestations-course-assessment-and-diagnosis
3. Chao S. How long does tramadol withdrawal last? Drugs.com. Published November 3, 2020. Accessed August 10, 2022. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-tramadol-withdrawal-3553886/