WHY YOU MUST STOP THE ABUSE OF TRAMADOL NOW #STOPDRUGABUSE

Tramadol is a synthetic (man-made) opioid-analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is a narcotic, very similar to morphine and it is highly abused these days among young and middle-aged people. Its abusers give Tramadol nicknames (such as TM, TMD, etc) probably in attempt to fool or pacify selves that they aren’t using a drug that is adjudged unsafe or harmful to them or to appear irresponsible when purchasing the drug. It is the chemical called TRAMADOL which is responsible for its medicinal and adverse effects that makes the medicine and not the name you call it.

Tramadol is useful in controlling Premature ejaculation and this may be a good reason why young people abuse this medicine. Again, this justifiable use require guidance by a professional such as the doctor or Pharmacist but this doesn't stop the negative effects of the drug. It is a prescription drug (and a poison) and so a Doctor would consider quite a lot of things about you before prescribing it for you. 

Here are some warnings about Tramadol - some of the reasons why you must not start taking it on your own:

1. You should not take tramadol if you are allergic to it or if you have used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications within the past few hours.
2. Tramadol can slow your breathing especially when you start using the medicine or whenever your dose is changed.
3. Never take tramadol in amounts larger than prescribed.
4. Do not crush, break or open an extended-release pill. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose
5. You may have convulsions or seizures if you take Tramadol, This can be very harmful in some health conditions.
6. You can develop tolerance and dependence on the drug even at normal doses and its mood-elevating effects will make abusers take more than prescribed or more frequently.

The Side effects of Tramadol include:

• Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea
• Constipation
• Headache
• Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue
• Restless legs
• itching
• Dry mouth
• Sweating, flushing
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty sleeping, insomnia
• Skin rash
• Serotonin syndrome

These side effects make abusers of Tramadol restless, have poor sleep and look and act irresponsible irrespective of social status. Sadly, when they try to suddenly quit usage of the drug, it becomes difficult (although very possible employing professional assistance) and abusers face harsh withdrawal symptoms including:

• Gastrointestinal pain.
• Depression.
• Diarrhea.
• Agitation.
• Numbness in the extremities.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Hallucinations.
• Paranoia.
• Agitation.
• Confusion.

USING TRAMADOL FOR A LONG PERIOD CAN LEAD TO:

1. TOLERANCE: Making you use progressively increasing doses of Tramadol, making you vulnerable to overdosing and toxicity
2. PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE: Making you require taking Tramadol in order to feel healthy and thus your body becomes physically ill if you fail to take Tramadol because of the onset of withdrawal symptoms.
3. COGNITIVE DECLINE: Making you unable to speedily carry out tasks as well as unable to remember or recognize things and events properly.

YOU CAN HELP REDUCE TRAMADOL ABUSE BY

1. Sharing the knowledge about its harmful effects with your friends or children especially young people.

2. Always taking records of your Tramadol use and ensuring you inform your doctor when chosing a pain remedy for you.

3. Using other safer, no-opiate based analgesics for mild to moderate pain and using Tramadol only when expedient.

4. Telling yourself the truth about the harm of Tramadol if you know you are abusing the drug.

*For information about drugs, see a Pharmacist.

SOURCES:

1. Drugs.com http://www.drugs.com/tramadol.html
2. DrugAbuse.com http://drugabuse.com/library/tramadol-abuse