Tramadol hydrochloride (
Ultram®) is a prescription pain medication. Although it is not classified as a controlled substance in most states, the drug does have the potential to be abused. However, it is important to distinguish between true
tramadol abuse and a simple physical dependence on the drug, which will occur with any long-term use, legitimate or not.
Statistics on Tramadol Abuse
From 1995 to 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of 766 cases of tramadol abuse and 482 cases of
tramadol withdrawal. The actual number is probably much higher, as not every case of addiction is discovered or reported. Interestingly, statistics indicate that tramadol is most likely to be abused by people with chronic pain, narcotics abusers, and healthcare professionals.
Abuse Potential of Tramadol
Originally, tramadol was marketed as a medication with weak narcotic effects and little potential for abuse. As a result, many healthcare providers came to view tramadol as a relatively safe medication for people who were at risk for drug abuse, such as people with previous problems with drug or alcohol abuse. However, research has since demonstrated that tramadol works primarily through
morphine-like activity, and numerous cases of abuse and dependence have been reported. Now, the prescribing information for this medication contains several different warnings about the potential for tramadol abuse. In fact, tramadol is not considered a controlled substance in some states
(see Is Tramadol a Narcotic? for more information).
You may find many Web sites and other sources of information stating that tramadol has little to no potential for abuse. These sources are likely outdated.
It should be noted that tramadol is thought to have less potential for abuse compared to morphine,
oxycodone,
hydrocodone, or other similar medications.
