Tramadol Addiction

It is important to know that when taking tramadol (Ultram), addiction is possible. Healthcare providers who prescribe this medication watch for certain signs of addiction, such as "doctor shopping," going through prescriptions too quickly, and repeated reports of losing a prescription. Other possible signs of addiction include secluded behavior, changes in social circles, and an unexplainable lack of money.

Tramadol Medication Information

Is It Possible to Become Addicted to Tramadol?

Tramadol hydrochloride (Ultram^®) is a prescription pain medication. You may find many Web sites and other sources of information that state that tramadol is not addictive and cannot be abused. However, this is simply not true; as an opioid (morphine-like medication), tramadol can be addictive.

Common Signs of Tramadol Addiction

Healthcare providers who prescribe or dispense tramadol often watch for certain signs of addiction, such as:

"Doctor shopping," which is seeing several different healthcare providers to obtain tramadol prescriptions or switching from one provider to another
Going through a tramadol prescription too quickly
Repeated reports of losing a prescription, having a prescription stolen, or needing a prescription early to go on vacation.

Friends and family can also keep an eye out for other signs of addiction to tramadol, such as:

Secluded behavior and often needing to spend large amounts of time alone
Stealing, lying, or other dishonest behavior
An unexplainable lack of money
Changes in social circles, such as abandoning good friends and replacing them with new ones
Unexplained changes in mood or behaviors.

(Tramadol Addiction Continued: Page 2)