Tramadol is a relatively weak opioid used to relieve moderate and severe pain, such as that experienced after an injury. It is also widely considered a safer alternative to opioids like morphine. But does this mean you can safely mix tramadol and alcohol?
The short answer is no. No opioid, including tramadol, can be safely taken with alcohol.
Keep reading to learn more about the interaction between tramadol and alcohol and the dangers of combining these two substances.
What Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is an opioid pain reliever prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain, usually when non-opioid medications aren’t effective enough. It is commonly sold under the brand names ConZip® and Ultram®, among others, and is available in immediate- and extended-release formulations. It comes in the form of capsules, tablets, and oral liquid.
Though tramadol structurally resembles codeine and morphine, it is considered an atypical opioid. This is because it is produced by combining synthetic opioids with monoamine reuptake inhibitors (MRIs). Therefore, tramadol is not only a synthetic opioid but also a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
In other words, tramadol has a dual mechanism of action. Like other opioids, it stops pain signals from reaching the brain by interacting with opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to this, it also obstructs the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, similar to antidepressants.
Tramadol Usage in the USA
Tramadol was approved by the FDA for medical use in 1995 and has since become a popular painkiller in the USA. Classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance, it has a lower potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction than most other opioids. Nonetheless, tramadol isn’t as safe as people are often led to believe.
Here are some statistics that shed light on the extent of tramadol use, abuse, and addiction in the United States:
- In 2021, more than 15.4 million tramadol prescriptions were issued to over 5 million Americans.
- Around 1.4 million Americans aged 12 and older abused tramadol in 2022, making it the fourth most commonly misused prescription painkiller that year.
- With more than 1,400 import shipments, the United States is the largest importer of tramadol globally.
- Between 2007 and 2018, tramadol-related emergency department visits in the United States increased by nearly 71%.
- In 2022, just above 83,000 Americans died from an overdose involving opioids like tramadol.
Side Effects of Using Tramadol
Tramadol can cause various side effects, including, but not limited to:
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Hallucinations
- Stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Lightheadedness
- Difficulty urinating
- Nausea and vomiting
Opioid abuse, including mixing tramadol and alcohol, can increase the risk of serious side effects. If you experience any unpleasant side effects while taking your medication, talk to your doctor. Some side effects, such as hallucinations, respiratory problems, and allergic reactions, may require immediate medical attention.
Moreover, the effects of tramadol don’t stop at pain relief; this medication can also cause euphoria and a feeling of deep relaxation by stimulating dopamine release. This further enhances the addictive potential of the drug, as people are naturally wired to repeat activities that induce a surge of dopamine.
How Long Do Tramadol Effects Last?
Tramadol effects can last up to 24 hours, but this largely depends on the type of tramadol you take. Immediate-release tramadol relieves pain for 4–6 hours, whereas the effects of extended-release formulations last around 12–24 hours.
Other factors that may affect the duration of tramadol effects include:
- Age
- Liver function
- Kidney health
- Metabolic rate
- The extent of tramadol use (i.e., at what doses and how often you consume tramadol)
Now that you’re more familiar with tramadol, let’s learn more about the interaction between tramadol and alcohol.
Dangers of Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol
The dangers of mixing tramadol and alcohol include the increased risk of opioid overdose, respiratory depression, and severe side effects, among others.
For this reason, you should never take tramadol and alcohol together; there is no safe way to combine these two substances. Even when combined in minimal amounts, the results can be very damaging, requiring medical attention. At worst, this combination can be deadly.
Both tramadol and alcohol act as CNS depressants, meaning they slow down brain function. When taken together, tramadol and alcohol enhance each other’s depressant effects. This can lead to extreme sedation, drowsiness, impaired cognitive function, and similar symptoms.
Mixing tramadol and alcohol can also suppress your breathing, leading to respiratory depression. When you experience slow or shallow breathing, your brain is only receiving a limited amount of oxygen, which is known as hypoxia. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for prolonged periods, permanent brain damage may occur.
Respiratory depression is often a sign of tramadol overdose. In most cases, people who overdose on tramadol also have other drugs in their system, including alcohol. If not treated promptly, tramadol overdose may result in death.
Moreover, alcohol can affect how your body absorbs and distributes tramadol. As such, mixing tramadol and alcohol can have unexpected consequences that may require immediate medical attention. This drug combination also increases the risk of severe side effects, including seizures, stomach bleeding, and cardiovascular problems.
Chronic use of tramadol and alcohol exposes you to the risk of liver damage, gastrointestinal issues, kidney problems, and various types of cancer, among other diseases. It can also exacerbate any mental health issues you’re suffering from, such as depression.
Since mixing tramadol and alcohol constitutes tramadol abuse, it can also increase the risk of tramadol dependence and addiction.
Tramadol Dependence
Tramadol dependence refers to the physical dependence on tramadol, which is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
Even though tramadol is among the weakest opioids, it still affects the brain in the same way as other, more potent opioids. This means that anyone who takes this drug can become dependent on it, especially those who take it for a prolonged time.
Repeated exposure to tramadol causes your brain to stop producing endorphins while increasing the production of opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. Once you build tolerance, you won’t feel the drug’s effects without increasing the dosage.
If this happens, consult your doctor instead of increasing your tramadol dosage without their permission, as this constitutes opioid abuse and could lead to a potentially fatal overdose.
Tramadol dependence essentially means that your body cannot function normally without the drug. If you stop taking it, you’ll experience opioid withdrawal symptoms. Since these can be very uncomfortable, many people continue to take tramadol just to ward them off and feel normal.
Seeking professional help for tramadol dependence is crucial. If left untreated, it can develop into tramadol addiction.
Tramadol Addiction
Tramadol addiction is characterized by a loss of control over tramadol use. Those addicted to this substance struggle to control their impulses and continue taking the drug despite the negative consequences it has on their lives. Unlike dependence, tramadol addiction is mainly psychological.
Some signs that may indicate you’ve become addicted to tramadol include:
- Preoccupation with obtaining and using the drug
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts at quitting tramadol
- Loss of interest in hobbies and other previously enjoyed activities
- Tramadol abuse, i.e., taking the medication in other ways than prescribed
- Failure to meet personal and professional obligations due to tramadol use
Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms
Tramadol withdrawal symptoms occur when people quit taking tramadol after becoming dependent.
These may vary in severity depending on the extent of your tramadol use, whether or not you are undergoing any opioid dependence treatment and other factors. Quitting tramadol “cold turkey” (i.e., discontinuing it abruptly) may lead to particularly severe withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is not recommended under any circumstances.
Tramadol withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 24 hours after taking the last dose and peak in intensity around the third day of withdrawal.
While physical symptoms usually resolve within a week, psychological symptoms, such as cravings and depression, may persist. Some people suffer from psychological withdrawal symptoms for weeks and sometimes even years after quitting tramadol, leaving them vulnerable to relapse.
The most common tramadol withdrawal symptoms are:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Goosebumps
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Tramadol cravings
- Sleep disturbances
- Flu-like symptoms (runny nose, fever, etc.)
Moreover, around 10% of people experience atypical withdrawal symptoms after quitting tramadol, such as hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, and psychosis.
You should never attempt to quit tramadol without medical supervision. In some cases, tramadol withdrawal can be life-threatening and require immediate medical care. For instance, persistent vomiting and diarrhea may lead to severe dehydration. Seeking professional help can minimize the risk of complications, relapse, and subsequent overdose.
Signs of Tramadol Overdose
Knowing the signs of tramadol overdose—slowed breathing, constricted pupils, etc.—can save your or your loved one’s life. Tramadol overdose is a life-threatening emergency that happens when you take a larger amount of the drug than your body can safely metabolize. If not treated promptly, it can be lethal.
Call 911 immediately if you notice the following signs of tramadol overdose:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Slow heartbeat
- Muscle weakness
- Unresponsiveness
- Extreme drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Slowed, shallow breathing
- Cold, clammy, discolored skin
- Blue- or purple-tinted nails and lips
Tramadol overdose can happen by accident. Sometimes, a single extra pill can cause you to overdose. For this reason, you should carefully track your tramadol intake. If you forget to take a dose, do not take a double dose to make up for it.
Moreover, those who relapse after a period of abstinence from tramadol are at an increased risk of overdose due to lowered tolerance. Mixing tramadol and alcohol also significantly increases this risk. To reduce the risk of tramadol overdose, you should never take it with any substances your doctor hasn’t approved of, including other opioids, supplements, and herbal medicines.
ANR – The Most Effective Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is the first and only treatment that addresses the root cause of opioid dependence.
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, this revolutionary treatment has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide make a lasting recovery from opioid dependence.
The ANR treatment eradicates tramadol dependence by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system to its normal levels. In doing so, it tackles opioid dependence at its root, returning your brain to its pre-addiction state and eliminating withdrawal symptoms. Since ANR negates the risk of relapse, it has a very high success rate.
Furthermore, ANR is designed with your safety in mind. Our treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; we tailor the treatment to each patient specifically. This, coupled with our patients’ access to cardiologists, nephrologists, and other healthcare experts, means that ANR is very safe, even for those with complex medical problems.
ANR treatment is carried out by a team of highly experienced and compassionate medical professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals. Better yet, the average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours, which means ANR can help you overcome tramadol dependence within a matter of days!
To get started with ANR and learn more about how to get off tramadol and other opioids effectively, contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
Key Takeaways
The bottom line is that taking tramadol and drinking alcohol is never a good idea. The combination of tramadol and alcohol can be very dangerous, if not lethal.
Now, let’s go over the key points we covered today:
- Tramadol is a dual-acting opioid prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain that doesn’t respond to weaker, non-opioid painkillers.
- Mixing tramadol and alcohol is very dangerous, as it can lead to respiratory depression, impaired cognitive function, liver injury, brain damage, and other adverse events.
- Tramadol overdose is one of the greatest dangers of mixing tramadol and alcohol. If you suspect you or someone you love may be suffering an overdose, seek medical attention immediately to prevent death.
Tramadol and Alcohol FAQ
Consult with your doctor to find out when you can drink alcohol after taking tramadol, as various factors, such as your metabolism, determine how long it stays in your system. If you are still taking tramadol, it’s in your best interest not to drink alcohol. The combination of tramadol and alcohol increases the risk of a potentially deadly overdose, among other adverse events.
You should not have a glass of wine while taking tramadol. Even a small amount of alcohol can interact with tramadol and lead to dangerous consequences, such as respiratory depression. So, in other words, no amount of alcohol can be safely consumed with tramadol.
Tramadol is a CNS depressant. Like all opioids, it slows down lung, brain, and heart function. If taken at larger doses than prescribed, it can dangerously slow down these functions, increasing the risk of respiratory depression, brain injury, and death. Combining tramadol with alcohol or other CNS depressants increases these risks tremendously.
You should not mix any substance with tramadol without your doctor’s permission. Mixing tramadol with alcohol, opioids, muscle relaxants, and even some herbal medicines can put your life at risk. Also, never mix tramadol with serotonergic drugs, such as certain antidepressants, as this could cause serotonin syndrome.
Tramadol can cause seizures, especially when taken at higher doses than prescribed. Mixing tramadol with alcohol, tricyclic antidepressants, and other drugs also increases the risk of seizures.
Respiratory depression, or hypoventilation, refers to slow, shallow, and ineffective breathing. It is the leading cause of opioid-related deaths. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, follow your doctor’s instructions when taking opioids. Never take them in higher doses than prescribed or with other drugs that may affect your breathing, e.g., alcohol and sedatives.
You should look into treatment options for opioid addiction as soon as you suspect you might be dependent on or addicted to opioids.
If you’re looking for a safe, fast, and effective opioid dependence treatment, consider undergoing ANR. This ultra-modern treatment can help you break free from opioid dependence within days by reversing opioid-induced brain changes.
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