Tramadol is an effective pain medicine for people suffering from acute or chronic pain. However, risks of addiction are high, whether you misuse, abuse, or follow the recommended dosage. If you start showing signs of tramadol addiction, you should consider getting the help you need.
Unfortunately, tramadol is often abused because it has calming and euphoric effects. In some cases, after prolonged use, the recommended dose may no longer be effective. You may be forced to take larger doses, especially if you are experiencing severe pain.
Weaning off Tramadol is not easy. You need to join a tramadol addiction recovery program.
There are several things you should expect from the program.
An analysis on the depth of your addiction
Doctors recommend slowly reducing the tramadol dosage and frequency of use, over stopping at once. Before they start you on tramadol addiction treatment, the doctors will ask you a few questions.
“How long have you been using tramadol? How often do you take the pills? Do you rely on it exclusively for pain relief, or are you using it for other reasons?”
Your responses will provide sufficient background on your addiction. The doctors will then decide the best treatment based on the level of addiction.
Close monitoring of withdrawal symptoms
Like any other type of addiction, withdrawal symptoms are inevitable. As doctors attempt to control your addiction, they will also seek to minimize your body’s reactions to the detox.
During the first three days of treatment, some of the withdrawal symptoms you are likely to experience include nausea, anxiety, insomnia, cravings for your usual tramadol fix, and palpitations. You may also sweat more than usual.
By the seventh day, the symptoms are likely to go beyond the physical reactions. You may start experiencing moments of confusion and disorientation.
With the right management, your symptoms should be more bearable by the second week. However, like every other addiction, a relapse is possible. The experts will safely guide you to overcome the physical and psychological challenges when recovering from tramadol addiction.
A structured schedule for your treatment
Tramadol addiction varies from one individual to another. The medical experts will seek the most appropriate treatment plan for you, depending on your addiction and response to the treatment.
Treatment programs are more successful when patients follow a structured program. When you check into the addiction centre, you will be given a day-to-day schedule.
You are more likely to overcome your addiction when you have a predictable schedule. You will know when to wake up, when to eat, and when to attend meetings.
The idea is to reprogram your brain and body towards beneficial activities and erase cravings for tramadol.
Identify your triggers
As the doctors help you overcome tramadol addiction, they will also help you identify people or situations that trigger your need to use. Identifying your triggers is important because this will keep you from relapsing.
Once you identify your triggers, you can easily build a support system. Avoid friends who encourage you to use tramadol. Instead, spend time with people who will support you and help you overcome your addiction.
As doctors help you overcome tramadol addiction, they may introduce you to alternative pain management therapies. Tramadol addiction recovery does not mean you go back to a life of chronic pain. Acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, heating pads, and ice packs effectively manage pain, without the risk of addiction and its side effects.
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