Addiction - Tramadol, I am worried,and depressed any advice.

[HomerSimpson]

SWIM just started using Tramadol about a month ago, and he really likes the euphoric feeling it gives him, but most of all it helps him think clearer, as if he can handle and understand his problems better. SWIM, have never ever tried any other type of drug, not even weed. He does not even drink. SWIM has went from taking 350-400 mg of Tramadol twice a week to now four days a week to handle the problems he is going through. SWIM is worried like shit that he is becoming addicted. Could he be becoming addicted this quick. SWIM has figured all along when he started using Tramdol that if he is worried about becoming addicted than he wont be, because he will be cautious, but now he is gone from two days a week to four days a week. His biggest problem is he suffers from severe depression, with suicidal thoughts all the time. He has no health insurance so he basically has to do what he has to do to try to live. What do you think? Sorry for the ranmbling, but SWIM has just took 350mg of Tramdol.

[SuicidalSoldier]

SWIM used to take trams/
SWIM OD'd once an hasnt really taken that many since.
SWIM is enticed to tell you to do what you gotta do.
but SWIM doesnt encourage an addiction.
SWIM thinks you should see a doctor and find out what he offers to help.
SWIM also has bad depression and anxiety.
SWIM likes opiates because they make him feel better.
SWIM regrets to say that its very hard to not become physically addicted to any of them.
SWIM uses them all. particularly heroin.
SWIM would encourage you to find a dose thats safe and useful, and stick to it.
but SWIM would also like to warn you that if you dont have a steady income of those lovely trams, then one day youre gonna find that you have none. and withdrawal is a bitch.
so SWIM would encourage you to buy a few boxes of c-codamol(or any codeine-containing over-the-counter pills), look up a CWE(cold-water extraction), and have them ready for the times you have no tramadol. the euphoria isnt as good/long lasting, but they help stave off the shakes and the sickness. and for the first little while youll get a cosy warm "wrapped in cotton wool" feeling.
SWIM wuld just like to point out that the paracetamol(acetaminophen) mixed with those pills is very dangerous to your liver, so make sure you do the CWE right.
SWIM uses kitchen roll as a filter and does it 2-3 times till the finished liquid is transparent. good luck and i hope SWIM has been of some help.
oh, and dont worry about rambling, its a forum, thats what we come here to read...well...thats what I come here to read :P

Reputation Comments on this post:

nice advice/help

[Ontherooftops]

He wouldn't recommend following SwiSS's advice on the OTC codiene, really the goal is to avoid ever having to "stave off shakes and sickness" in ones life, not to maintain steady use and constant numbness. Swiy is definately not physically addicted, but it sounds like their use is becoming a habit, and habituated opiate use nearly always leads to a deeper and darker addiction given time. It's not like Requiem for a Dream, its not something you can watch happening, just suddenly after years of using (that flew by like nothing) and being a functional addict you realize its not so easy to go without, and yet it isn't nearly so effective at helping swiy along as it used to be.

Sadly, while opiates are terrific at obliterating swiy's negative feelings, and swim believes there are times when they have helped him, they are only numbing swiy and helping them avoid dealing with the root of the problem. In the end, swiy will be a much happier person if they can avoid needing such things to cope.

Its also worth noting that opiate's, while not particularly harmful physically, do alter the user's brain chemistry. So using them for depression or mental distress is ill advised, because they are bound to cause an emotionally negative rebound.

Without going into the more complicated pharmacology of it, opiates essentially allow for a release of dopamine into the synaptic cleft. In the parts of the brain which opiates work, dopamine is responsible for feelings of well-being and reward (ahhh, finally finished all that work, now I can just relax). With time, using opiates decreases the number of receptors for our brains native opiods, therefore decreasing our ability to feel satisfied naturally.

Also, studies show that opiate users take more trips to hospitals and doctors than those who do not, which is not what someone without healthcare would be looking for. Swim believes this is a combo of the desire to acquire drugs, and the way the decrease in receptors for our naturally occurring opiates lowers our pain tolerance.

Swim doesn't mean to scare, he simply wants swiy to see the situation realistically. It could very well be worthwhile to experiment with marijuana, it has got swim through the darkest of times giving mood elevation and the perspective necessary to work through his problems, without helping too much. It also lacks nearly so drastic consequences as opiates. Good luck, and know that swiy can be happy if he finds it within himself, because the strength is there.

[SuicidalSoldier]

SWIM would agree about pot, it is a magical herb and it natural so its relatively safe.
SWIM also thinks you should look up "euphoric recall".
its all about how you reach a certain pint of euphoria, and when seeking to reach that point again, it never lives up to that expectation. very interesting in SWIM's opinion.
nevertheless, you MUST understand that opiates just NUMB your emotions, they dont fix your problems. just make you not care. decide if thats really what you want. if you do then continue. if you want to solve your problems rather than avoid them, then stay clear of drugs.
in all honesty pot is a safe drug when used intelligently.
be intelligent.

[fiveleggedrat]

Having experience with tramadol addiction, slowly taper off doses. Stop taking the shit. Reduce frequency of dosages. Also, stay away from opioids in general. Playing around with other drugs sounds like it will lead to relapse/other addiction.

Tramadol is not something that is fun to be addicted to. And it def. has potential for addiction.

[Panthers007]

As tramadol is not only an analgesic similar to opiates, it acts as an anti-depressant as well. It is classified as a mild SSRI - which is what drugs like Prozac and Paxil are, only they are major SSRI's. SWIM should taper off the dosage at this stage. Withdrawl shouldn't be much of a concern at this point. But taper it off to a lower level just to be safe on this point. Tramadol seems to be pretty safe if taken a few times a week, and in moderate dosages. 350mg/day is definitely pushing it.

[HomerSimpson]

Not sure if this can be answered, but when do you become addicted. I mean a doctor prescribes this stuff for people with pain so how long does he normally do this? I think someone told me that his doctor prescribed him percocet, and it said to take one every six hours I think. Different but similar drugs, but you do see what I mean I think.

HomerSimpson added 104 Minutes and 7 Seconds later...

You said that "350mg/day is definitely pushing it" what does that mean? Possible overdose, seizures, etc. Today SWIM started at about 1:00 pm with 4 pills, and from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm when he finally stoped he had ended up taking 10 pills. Even though he took 10 he still did not get a real great feeling as he had been getting, it may have been because he had food on his stomach. SWIM hopes and figures if he can keep it to two days a week of using than he should be ok with the addiction. What do you think abou these last two posts. SWIM just really wants something that makes him think clearly like Tramadol does, and something that just makes him say whats on his mind as Tramadol does. SWIM would have been done gone to the doctor, but sadly SWIM is 34 in college and does not have any health insurance.

[fiveleggedrat]

Swims best advice: kratom. Healthier, lower risks for addiction, safer.

If you are using tramadol for the socialbilty, either stop or keep usage for such no more than once a week.

Using opiates (opioid in this case) for what you sound like what you are using them for is bad idea, generally.

[cnsns2ccl2]

Originally Posted by Panthers007

As tramadol is not only an analgesic similar to opiates, it acts as an anti-depressant as well. It is classified as a mild SSRI - which is what drugs like Prozac and Paxil are, only they are major SSRI's. SWIM should taper off the dosage at this stage. Withdrawl shouldn't be much of a concern at this point. But taper it off to a lower level just to be safe on this point. Tramadol seems to be pretty safe if taken a few times a week, and in moderate dosages. 350mg/day is definitely pushing it.

If Tramadol is a mild SSRI, would it be possible to see a doctor for free and get a perscription for a SSRI? If Tramadol helps then a SSRI may help and though has negative side effects, they are not as bad as long term use of any opiate would be. A doctor would be much better at deciding how to treat this but in swim's opinion, it sounds like a SSRI might be hopeful. If this is hard to do, smoking small amounts of weed may help and seems to be a better alternative to opiate use. Swim finds that when depressed and smokes a joint, her mind switches from "emotional thinking" to "logical thinking" and depression lifts. Interestingly, if swim is stressed, anxious, or worried, the worst thing she can do is smoke a joint. Some people find it calming, swim does not when she is not calm to begin with. This is when lots of chamomile tea helps.

[SuicidalSoldier]

Originally Posted by cnsns2ccl2

If Tramadol is a mild SSRI, would it be possible to see a doctor for free and get a perscription for a SSRI? If Tramadol helps then a SSRI may help and though has negative side effects, they are not as bad as long term use of any opiate would be. A doctor would be much better at deciding how to treat this but in swim's opinion, it sounds like a SSRI might be hopeful. If this is hard to do, smoking small amounts of weed may help and seems to be a better alternative to opiate use. Swim finds that when depressed and smokes a joint, her mind switches from "emotional thinking" to "logical thinking" and depression lifts. Interestingly, if swim is stressed, anxious, or worried, the worst thing she can do is smoke a joint. Some people find it calming, swim does not when she is not calm to begin with. This is when lots of chamomile tea helps.

heh, swim never thought he'd come across a female with anything in common with him, but thats just like swim. thats why he uses other kinds of drugs. like opiates and benzos. cause he can rely on them to relax the negative feelings he has most of the time(anxiety and dopamine problems) and then he can smoke weed freely and in quantity, although he really cant smoke solid in anything besides a joint now or else his throat swells up. had an xray for it once and never went back. lol
anyways...uhhh...
swim forgot what the point was here so

[HomerSimpson]

Originally Posted by cnsns2ccl2

they are not as bad as long term use of any opiate would be.

SWIM is wondering what classifies as long term. A week, months, years, etc?

[sarbanes]

Originally Posted by Panthers007

As tramadol is not only an analgesic similar to opiates, it acts as an anti-depressant as well. It is classified as a mild SSRI - which is what drugs like Prozac and Paxil are, only they are major SSRI's. SWIM should taper off the dosage at this stage. Withdrawl shouldn't be much of a concern at this point. But taper it off to a lower level just to be safe on this point. Tramadol seems to be pretty safe if taken a few times a week, and in moderate dosages. 350mg/day is definitely pushing it.

You need to be corrected. Tramadol is a mild SNRI, not a mild SSRI. Stating tramadol is a mild SSRI implies it has no norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitory activity what so ever. That’s why drugs, which have re-uptake inhibition of both serotonin and norepinephrine, are not called SSRI's but rather SNRI's. The word "selective" is deleted from the SNRI acronym (not SSNRI) because, by including more than one neurotransmitter, the drug is no longer being selective toward just one neurotransmitter.

[Panic_Upset]

Hi there! SWIM has been taking Tramadol/Ultram for 2+ years, and has never been sober from opiates/narcotics for more than 1 month in that time. SWIM currently take anywhere from 400 - 900 mg of tramadol daily. It is not similar to many painkillers in that it is a synthetic opiod. I WARN SWIY TO PLEASE SLOW DOWN ON THE INTAKE! Answer this, When SWIY become high on it does it make the feel of heart racing or does it actually make it race. SWIM's heart actually starts pumping 120 a min. Not safe for SWIY heart/kidney/liver AT ALL! Some key things to do in order to take control of the intake are both mental and physical actions that require much mental commitment. I tell SWIY this because it is the opposite of what (i) do. Do not take more than the recommended dose on the bottle, which is probly 2-50mg tablets every 4-6 hours! (i) recommend SWIY only take it twice a day, max of 200 mg. Be prepared to take only one, or 1 1/2, once one cuts down alot, It is safe to cut them in half. Dont be afraid that one wont get that high or as I call it "A Breath of Fresh Air For The Mind". While one is cutting back take it more for the physical need and not for the mental uplift. Again I cant stress this enough only take 2 at a time.
SWIM is not telling SWIY to stop intake or STOP COLD TURKEY! The withdrawal was close to when SWIM stopped heroin once. Just use control and for godsake be honest with yourself about your intake. A good thing to do if SWIY can is to put days in between the use, as SWIY already have been. Drop a line/pm if you want to talk, I do understand. Tramadol for a long time has been one of SWIM's drugs of choice. Good Luck!!!

Peace
- Jupiter Out

[cnsns2ccl2]

If swiy suffers from severe depression, it is not likely something that's going to be fixed within a couple months. For this reason, if one is intent on using an opiate to treat oneself and finds relief from it, opiate use is probably going to go on for months to years as these drugs are incredibly addictive. The problem with this is that first it will likely help depression but once a full blown addiction has set in, the depression problem will likely become worse than it ever was before.

[HomerSimpson]

SWIM had been mainly using them only when he has to see this girl he knows, because she is driving him f'ing insane. So that is about twice a week. Sorry but SWIM is a paranoid crazy person.

[fiveleggedrat]

Yeah, definitely recommending cutting off using tramadol to overcome problems before it becomes a crutch.

Swim was lucky to break that type of scenario. At least one of them.

Still using lots of other drugs for other problems.

[SuicidalSoldier]

Originally Posted by HomerSimpson

SWIM had been mainly using them only when he has to see this girl he knows, because she is driving him f'ing insane. So that is about twice a week. Sorry but SWIM is a paranoid crazy person.

really?
SWEET me too!

[sarbanes]

You need to be very careful with tramadol, and especially when used chronically in larger than recommended dosages. Was never particularly concerned over seizure, but the tachycardia (as Jupiter mentioned) is very real and alarming. I think tramadol is somewhat abuse resistant for long term abuse, because its therapeutic safety index is relatively low in chronic administration, when the aim is to get high. Several things one can do to minimize the potentially life threatening serotonin storm (the horrible tachycardia/panic attack). Plan your dose, and take small amounts over time (aim to get M1 metabolite to build up). Don’t use/abuse daily. Keep cyproheptadine (Peractin) around. It is a specific antidote to the serotonin syndrome. Some other potentially useful drugs are plain ordinary benzos (calm you down to the point you don’t think your about to die), and by the time they hit, your heart will most likely already have slowed somewhat. Also, cheap phenytoin seems to have stabilizing effect as well (and its anti-convulsant). Tram is such a wonderful drug, and such a horrible drug to OD on. Talk about forced panic attack on steroids, and then some. Also, try to drink plenty of OJ (keep potassium levels high), and make sure you have sugar/candy around in case you run low on blood glucose. That’s about it.

[Mr. Bob]

You should do drugs to know you don't need to do them. A suggestion would be to get a grip on it or drop it completely.

[Panic_Upset]

Originally Posted by Mr. Bob

You should do drugs to know you don't need to do them. A suggestion would be to get a grip on it or drop it completely.

I'm not so sure how I feel about this one ... A better would be to never to do it at all! However I can understand the unsatisfiable curiosity that overwhelms most of us, so just it on occasion to get it out of your system. The sad thing is that some of us cant get a "grip on it" (our drug use), let alone completely dropping it.

- Jupiter Out