When attempting to safely and effectively get off of tramadol, it’s imperative to seek proper medical care.
Although it is often considered a relatively weak and safe medication, getting off tramadol is no easier than quitting any other opioids. In fact, tramadol can cause a variety of withdrawal symptoms, some of which aren’t typical of opioids. This can make the withdrawal process even more difficult.
This article will discuss different methods of how to get off tramadol and explain why the ANR treatment is the most effective option for anyone battling tramadol dependence.
What Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a synthetic prescription opioid used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain, typically when non-opioid painkillers are ineffective. Marketed under Ultram®, ConZip®, and other brands, it is available in immediate- and extended-release formulations and comes in various forms, including:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Oral solution
- Injectable solution
Tramadol is among the most popular opioids in the United States; in 2022, over 12.2 million tramadol prescriptions were issued to more than 4 million Americans. Even though it is widely regarded as a safer opioid, it was also the fourth most commonly misused prescription painkiller in the U.S. that year.
Tramadol vs. Other Opioids
Tramadol differs from most other opioids in that it has a dual mechanism of action; it works both as an opioid and a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
While it blocks pain signals by binding to the same receptors as other opioids, such as oxycodone, it also disrupts the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which gives it antidepressant-like properties.
Moreover, tramadol is among the weakest opioids. It is also classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance, denoting a lower potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction compared to conventional opioids, most of which fall under Schedule II.
Nonetheless, tramadol can cause physical dependence and opioid addiction, especially if taken for a prolonged time or abused.
Risks and Dangers of Tramadol Dependence
The main risks and dangers of tramadol dependence include opioid withdrawal symptoms, overdose, and addiction.
Tramadol dependence refers to the physical reliance people develop after taking tramadol for a prolonged time, which is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Repeated opioid exposure causes the brain to produce more opioid receptors, which is why the original dose eventually loses its effectiveness.
If you develop opioid tolerance, do not increase your dosage without consulting your doctor, as this constitutes tramadol abuse and puts you at an increased risk of opioid overdose.
Furthermore, people who quit tramadol after becoming dependent suffer from debilitating withdrawal symptoms, making it extremely difficult to get off it.
Lastly, untreated tramadol dependence can evolve into an opioid use disorder (OUD), which is a treatable condition characterized by a compulsive urge to use tramadol. People with OUD struggle to stop taking tramadol despite the toll it takes on their lives.
Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms & Timeline
Tramadol withdrawal symptoms happen when people discontinue or reduce tramadol use after developing dependence. These symptoms may range in intensity and duration depending on the extent of tramadol use, method of administration, and other individual factors.
In most cases, withdrawal symptoms begin within 24 hours after the last dose and last around a week, but it’s not uncommon for people to struggle with symptoms like cravings for much longer than that. Some continue to suffer from them for several weeks, months, and even years, which is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
Because of its dual mechanism of action, tramadol withdrawal doesn’t always look like a typical opioid withdrawal.
While most people experience classic symptoms associated with withdrawal from opioids, some experience atypical tramadol withdrawal symptoms like severe anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, derealization, and hallucinations.
Meanwhile, common typical tramadol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Agitation
- Body aches
- Opioid cravings
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased sweating
The fact that tramadol can cause both typical and atypical symptoms can complicate the recovery process. Even typical symptoms can lead to dangerous complications without medical supervision (e.g., diarrhea can cause severe dehydration).
So, if you’re wondering how to get off tramadol safely, it goes without saying that your best option is to seek professional help.
How to Get Off Tramadol
While there are several ways how to get off tramadol—such as quitting “cold turkey,” tapering off tramadol, and undergoing professional opioid addiction treatment—they aren’t equally safe and effective.
With this in mind, let’s discuss different ways of how to get off tramadol:
#1. Quitting Taking Tramadol
Abruptly quitting taking tramadol is not recommended under any circumstances. Although it may seem like the quickest and easiest way to get off tramadol, quitting “cold turkey” is the least effective and most dangerous method of opioid discontinuation.
Sudden cessation of tramadol significantly increases the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, which makes you particularly vulnerable to relapse. In case of relapse, even your usual dose may be potent enough to cause a potentially fatal opioid overdose due to reduced tolerance.
For this reason alone, you should never get off tramadol without medical supervision or quit it abruptly.
#2. Tapering Off Tramadol
Tapering off tramadol allows your body to slowly wean off medication by gradually reducing the dosage.
While this is among the most common methods of getting off tramadol, you should only attempt it with medical supervision. To do it safely and enhance your chances of success, consult your doctor—they can create a tapering schedule that suits you and guide you on getting off tramadol safely.
Tapering off tramadol can be a very slow process; it may take several weeks or months to get off it. Even though this method reduces the intensity and duration of withdrawal symptoms, you may still experience cravings and other withdrawal symptoms after completing the opioid taper.
This is because tapering off tramadol doesn’t address the neurochemical causes of opioid dependence. As such, it doesn’t eliminate the risk of relapse.
#3. ANR Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a comprehensive treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann. It addresses the root of tramadol dependence by modulating the endorphin system and restoring it to its pre-dependence state.
The treatment is performed in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals and takes 4–6 hours. During the procedure, patients are under sedation to minimize any discomfort associated with opioid withdrawals. The therapeutic goal of ANR treatment is to re-regulate the endorphin-receptor imbalance resulting from repeated opioid exposure.
Since ANR targets the neurobiological causes of tramadol dependence, it eradicates opioid dependence together with cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. Because of this, it negates the risk of relapse, which makes it the most effective way to get off tramadol.
How Long Does It Take to Get off Tramadol?
How long it takes to get off tramadol varies from one person to the next, depending on the extent of tramadol use (frequency, amount, and duration), metabolism, and other factors. Whether or not you’re getting any treatment for opioid dependence can also impact how long it takes you to get off tramadol.
Without any treatment, acute tramadol withdrawal symptoms last around a week. Nonetheless, cravings, depression, and other psychological symptoms may persist after the acute phase. If you opt to taper off medication, it may take several weeks—if not months—to get off tramadol.
If you’re looking for the fastest, easiest, and most effective way to get off tramadol, ANR is, without a doubt, your best option. With an average hospital stay of just 36 hours, ANR can help you get off tramadol within a matter of days. Most importantly, this treatment enables you to live a happy and healthy life without the fear of relapse.
Free Yourself from Opioid Dependence Today with ANR Clinic
Whether you’ve been battling tramadol dependence for weeks or years, rest assured that ANR is the only treatment you need to get off tramadol quickly, safely, and effectively.
As the first and only treatment that addresses the neurobiological causes of opioid dependence and reverses the damage opioids cause to the brain, ANR has an unmatched success rate.
Here are some advantages ANR has over traditional treatments:
- Safety. ANR is scientifically proven to be a safe treatment. A study on its safety profile found no adverse events associated with it, with patients demonstrating hemodynamic and pulmonary stability during and after the treatment.
- Personalization. The ANR treatment plan is tailored to each patient individually. As such, ANR is suitable even for those with co-occurring medical conditions.
- Experienced staff. The ANR team comprises highly experienced and compassionate board-certified healthcare professionals, including anesthesiologists and critical care physicians.
- No replacement opioids. ANR doesn’t involve methadone or other opioid-replacement drugs, allowing patients to resume a completely opioid-free life.
Get started with ANR today by contacting us and booking a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
We hope this article helped you better understand how to get off tramadol safely, and why you should never do it without professional help.
Let’s go over the key points we covered today:
- Tramadol is an opioid medication commonly prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain that can lead to abuse, dependence, and addiction.
- Tramadol withdrawal symptoms can be different from those of other opioids, as tramadol acts both as an opioid and an SNRI.
- You should never attempt to get off tramadol by abruptly quitting it, as this can exacerbate the withdrawal symptoms and lead to relapse, overdose, and death.
- How long it takes to get off tramadol largely depends on whether or not you’re getting any opioid dependence treatment; ANR can help you get off tramadol for good within a matter of days.
How to Get Off Tramadol FAQ
Tramadol should never be abruptly stopped, as quitting tramadol “cold turkey” may amplify the severity of withdrawal symptoms, increasing the risk of relapse, overdose, and death. If you aren’t sure how to stop taking tramadol safely, consult with your doctor.
Some side effects of taking tramadol every day may include headache, drowsiness, constipation, nausea, and dry mouth. If you experience any side effects after taking tramadol, talk to your doctor.
Opioid tapering is an effective way to get off tramadol. However, it doesn’t address the root cause of opioid dependence, eliminate withdrawal symptoms, or reduce the risk of relapse.
While you may relieve certain tramadol withdrawal symptoms with over-the-counter medications or other home remedies, it’s in your best interest to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. This way, you can reduce not only discomfort but also the risk of complications.
You can relapse while tapering off tramadol, as gradually decreasing the dosage does nothing to address the underlying neurochemical causes of opioid dependence. Unfortunately, not everyone completes the tramadol tapering process. To increase your chances of recovery, consult with your doctor on how to taper off tramadol safely and effectively.
It is not safe to quit tramadol without professional help. Going through tramadol withdrawal alone puts you at a considerable risk of relapse, health complications, overdose, and death, especially if you experience severe symptoms.
If you aren’t sure how to get off tramadol safely and effectively, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]—ANR has helped close to 25,000 people worldwide break free from opioid dependence.
Additional Information:
The Risks, Dangers & Effects of Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol
