Tramadol Detox
Tramadol Detox Program in Orange County, CA
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid medication that is used for pain relief. Unlike other popular synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, tramadol is a relatively weak painkiller. In fact, it’s mild enough that many doctors believe it’s a much safer option than traditional, stronger painkillers. However, in recent years, tramadol-related visits to the emergency rooms have increased significantly, and doctors have reported seeing more cases of tramadol dependence. When someone becomes physically dependent on tramadol, they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop using the medication.
Whether you are taking tramadol exactly as prescribed or abusing it, you can begin to develop a tolerance to the medication, which leads to physical dependence. Once that happens, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop taking it. While withdrawal from tramadol isn’t usually life-threatening, it can be very uncomfortable. This often causes people to relapse and take the drug again to alleviate their symptoms.
At True Life Recovery, we can help with any and all of the detoxing related to tramadol abuse or dependency so that your recovery is safely managed in a supportive and caring environment.
Key Facts
New Cases per Year
3,000
People at Risk
2.9 Million
Most Common
80 - 90%
Median Age
18-25
01. What Is Tramadol?
What Is Tramadol Abuse and Detoxification?
Tramadol addiction has created a concern due to its misuse by the general public. Introduced in 1995 tramadol, which is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) was thought to be a safer alternative than stronger medications. But, because of how the body metabolizes tramadol and the psychological and physical addictive nature of the drug it has proven to be a deadly substance.
There are two stages on the road to recovery from tramadol addiction. The first phase is the total detox of the body to remove any traces of tramadol. The second phase is engaging in psychotherapy to understand the underlying issues that brought about the addiction in the first place.
02. Effects of Using Tramadol
The Effects of Tramadol Abuse on The Body
Tramadol acts the same way that other opioids do, affecting the opioid receptors in the brain, the monoamine reuptake systems, and your central nervous system to suppress feelings of pain and increase feelings of relaxation and calmness. With regular use of tramadol, the brain’s chemical messengers can result in physical changes to some of the pathways and structures of the brain.
Continued use of tramadol can cause you to develop a tolerance to the medication, meaning that you have to take more of the medication or take it more frequently to achieve the same pain relieving effects.
As with any substance or medication, there are side effects that may occur when taking tramadol. While most of the effects are minor, the more tramadol you take, the more serious they can become. Some of the mild effects are nausea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth, sweating, and nervousness or agitation. More serious side effects include slowed respiratory rate, serotonin syndrome, and seizures.
03. WITHDRAWAL SIDE EFFECTS OF DETOX
What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Tramadol Detox?
Tramadol works the same as opioids, which means many of its withdrawal symptoms look like those of other opioids. However, unlike traditional prescription opioids, tramadol may have a bigger effect on several of the brain’s other neurotransmitters, including serotonin. This is similar to the effect of antidepressant medication. The withdrawal timeline of tramadol includes early withdrawal, late withdrawal, and post-withdrawal symptoms.
Early Tramadol Withdrawal – Days 1-3
During the early withdrawal phase of tramadol detox, patients may experience the feeling of nausea, anxiety, sweating, nervousness, heart palpitations, pins and needles, insomnia, and cravings for the drug. Additionally, the following may be experienced:
- Runny nose and teary eyes
- Body and muscle aches
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
Late Tramadol Withdrawal – Days 4-7
After the first few days, patients will likely continue to have cravings for tramadol, as well as trouble sleeping and agitation. Additional withdrawal symptoms during late tramadol withdrawal may include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Chills and goosebumps
- Dilated pupils
- Confusion and difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Depression
- Depersonalization
Post-acute Withdrawal – Days 8-14+
During this phase, most physical withdrawal symptoms will have subsided. However, depression and anxiety may be ongoing. Patients may feel fatigued and weak for weeks after detoxing from tramadol. They will also likely still be experiencing cravings, insomnia, and may have an increased pain sensitivity. Because tramadol affects serotonin levels in the brain, some people who abruptly stop taking the medication suffer from tramadol-induced psychosis. This will typically last for a few days.
04. How Long Does Detox Take to Finish
How Long Will It Take to Detox From Tramadol?
Detoxing from substances like tramadol can take varying amounts of time depending on the individual. There are various factors that will affect how long it takes. Some of these factors include:
How long you have been taking tramadol
How much tramadol you have been using
How you have been taking the tramadol (orally as prescribed, snorting, smoking, or injecting it)
Your overall health, genetics, and mental health
Any other substances you have also been taking
The longer you have been taking tramadol, the longer and more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be. However, there is a general timeline for tramadol withdrawal and detox. In an average healthy adult, withdrawal symptoms of tramadol will typically start one or two days after the last dose, peaking at about three days, and subsiding within one to two weeks. However, the psychological and emotional symptoms may persist for much longer.
How to Recognize if Tramadol Detox May Be Right For You
If you are abusing or addicted to tramadol, you may experience some of the following behaviors:
- Taking doses of the medication that are larger than prescribed or taking it more frequently than prescribed
- Craving more tramadol when not taking it or taking as prescribed
- Requiring the medication to feel “normal”
- Faking symptoms or lying to your doctors so they give you more of the drug
- Going to different doctors to obtain prescriptions for tramadol
- Isolating from your family and friends
- No longer doing activities that you used to enjoy
- Failing to be able to stop using tramadol despite many attempts to quit
05. Detox by Drug Types
What Are the Different Types of Detox?
At True Life Recovery, our qualified and professional staff helps clients with medically supervised tramadol detox. They will monitor your vital signs and withdrawal symptoms carefully, offering support and medical assistance when you need it. You may have physical check-ups and medication may be prescribed to help alleviate the most uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
We offer detox for drugs and alcohol including:
06. Getting Help
Getting Help and Suboxone Detox
Most of the time, Suboxone withdrawal symptoms, though very uncomfortable, are not life threatening. However, if you used other substances at the same time you used Suboxone, withdrawal can be severe and need medical attention. That’s why it’s important to detox from Suboxone in a safe and medically supervised detox center. While there, your physical symptoms will be managed with thorough monitoring and attentive medical care. You will be kept as comfortable as possible during the detox process.
The purpose of a detox program is to stabilize you physically, getting through the most challenging physical symptoms of withdrawal, so you can go on to outpatient or inpatient addiction treatment to break your cycle of addiction. A detox program alone is not enough. You need to continue treatment to learn the tools you need for ongoing, long-lasting recovery.
At True Life Recovery, our residential detox center in Orange County has a qualified and compassionate staff that will be by your side through the detox process. Our center is comfortable, quiet, and safe. That’s the perfect setting for getting clean and beginning your new life in recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Addiction is a complicated, irrational and multi-faceted disease. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain that is persisting, recurring and difficult to stop. Addiction is not a moral failing or a lack of will power. Nobody chooses to be an addict. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol may lead to addiction in certain people. People basically use drugs or alcohol to relax, escape or reward themselves. A potential addiction occurs and is more likely in people who have an addictive personality caused by biology, environment or socially or are predisposed through heredity. These people don’t just feel good after using they feel so good they chase the feeling and the substance.
Signs of Addiction:
- Increased Tolerance & Intense Urges
- Physical or Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms
- Negative Consequences
- Unsuccessful Attempts to Stop
- Too Much Time Spent Seeking Next High
- Addiction without the proper professional help can be terminal.
If you cannot control or stop using alcohol or drugs and your use is affecting your life adversely regarding health, self-esteem, family, employment, friends even law enforcement it’s probably time to consider a recovery program for yourself.
The first step after deciding to take control of your life back is to detox. Detoxing from an addiction is the first step in changing your life.
A “cold turkey” approach is not recommended because of the physical problems that may arise. In our experience people who try going cold turkey usually disappoint themselves and relapse. Detox should never be attempted at home or without medical supervision at a licensed detox treatment facility.
At True Life Recovery, we medically manage your detox stay and provide you with as pain-free and safe experience as possible. We manage the physical effects of withdrawal, give you a safe comfortable supportive environment with proper food and emotional support.
When an individual determines to live life clean and sober the first step is detox.
The next phase is adjusting to abstinence. Lasting recovery means behavioral changes that support your journey. Talking it out in a private or public support system will assist in recovery.
Active involvement in support groups such as AA or NA are recommended.
There are many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers also available to assist individuals to learn new coping skills and focus on their recovery. As well, your religious organization may be of great support.
Addiction is a chronic disease, therefore the goal is a long-term successful management of the disease.
Detoxification from drugs or alcohol varies depending on the type, the level of abuse, and the individual client’s health.
In general, detox will take 3 to 10 days.
When you speak with one of our True Life Recovery representatives they will begin to assess your dependency and will give you a good idea of what timeline to expect to stay.
Costs include 24-hour supervision and monitoring, room and board in a private or shared room, intake evaluation, counseling and therapy sessions as well as nutritious food freshly prepared daily.
For anyone worried that the wrong person will find out that you are going through a detox program – don’t be. Deciding to become clean and sober is a very personal issue and we highly respect individual rights. We do not give out personal information, have and maintain a very strict confidentiality policy.
