Nova Recovery Center
Is Tramadol an opiate?
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Across Nova Recovery Center, Briarwood Detox Center and Eudaimonia Recovery Homes
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“Nova is far from perfect, and some of the information can be misleading. But if you want to cover the 12 Steps while enjoying good food and a beautiful scenic view, this is the place for you. The…”
10 months ago · Wimberley
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“I did 90 days at Nova Recovery 6 years ago. I am still sober today. And living a life I could have never imagined. The people and the program they are running impacted me for a lifetime. Better than…”
2 years ago · Wimberley
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“I went to Nova almost 9 months ago and I wouldn’t change it for the world. The staff when I first entered were very nice and welcoming. As a 19 year old that didn’t know what I was getting myself…”
2 years ago · Austin
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“Nova Recovery Center has been an invaluable part of my journey to sobriety. The intensive inpatient program, coupled with the unwavering support and guidance from my recovery specialist, Mark Rector…”
2 years ago · Austin
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“I had such a positive experience at Nova Recovery in Wimberley! The staff genuinely cares and went above and beyond to support me every step of the way. The peaceful setting made it easier to focus…”
a year ago · Wimberley
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“I love Nova so freaking much. Nova has saved my life in more ways than one. I was hopeless and had no solution suffering from this disease. The staff there never gave up on me. I was the worst client…”
2 years ago · Austin
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“I know Mark rector is non-binary however it saved my life and it did a good job with CPR and I don't know how aside from staying sober I could ever repay it thank you Mr or Mrs or whatever you're…”
8 months ago · Austin
★★★★★
“It's been a few years since I was a patient at Nova Recovery Center. Recently I have been reflecting on my time there and how incredibly grateful I am for the experience I had. I have been to 7 rehab…”
2 years ago · Austin
- What are Opiates?
- Side Effects of Opioid Abuse
- Other Commonly Abused Prescription Opioid Drugs
- Getting Help for Opioid Addiction
is a prescription drug that is used to treat moderate pain, post-surgery pain, or chronic pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia. If you’re wondering if tramadol is an opiate, keep reading to learn more about tramadol, its risk for addiction and dependence, and other commonly abused opioid drugs.
Is Tramadol an Opiate?
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid drug (or an opioid painkiller). Although it is considered to be less addictive than other opioid painkillers, it is classified as a
Schedule IV substance and has the potential to cause dependence and addiction.
Opiate or opioid?
Opiates are naturally occurring substances derived from compounds in the opium poppy. Opioid refers to man-made drugs derived from morphine, and to synthetic drugs.
The two words are used interchangeably because the drugs affect the body and brain in the same ways. The distinction is where the drug came from, not what it does.
That is what the question in this page’s title turns on, and it is why the answer is not a simple yes.
- Opiate
- Naturally occurring, from the opium poppy
- Opioid
- Man-made from morphine, or fully synthetic
- Why the words get swapped
- They act on the body the same way
- What the difference is
- Origin, not effect
Whichever word applies, the withdrawal and the treatment are the same. That is the part worth calling about.
Technically speaking, tramadol is a synthetic opioid, not an opiate, which is a natural substance that comes from the opiate poppy. However, tramadol is slightly different than other opioid drugs, in that it also affects the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in addition to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system.
As a result, tramadol was originally marketed as being safer than other opioid painkillers and in 2008, it was merely listed as a drug of concern by the DEA. By 2014, it was widely recognized that tramadol did have a higher risk of abuse, dependence, and addiction than originally thought, and it was rescheduled as a Schedule IV controlled substance.2
Tramadol Abuse Statistics
- According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, tramadol products were the third most commonly abused prescription painkillers in the U.S.3
- 11.1 million people in 2017 misused opioid pain relievers like tramadol in the past year.3
- Tramadol is most commonly abused by people who are addicted to other narcotics, patients with chronic pain, and health professionals.4
- There were a total of 12,108 tramadol exposures in 2016, of which there were three associated deaths.4
Common Tramadol Drug Combinations
Polydrug abuse is common among tramadol abusers, which increases the risk of addiction and overdose. People who abuse tramadol usually take it with other substances to enhance the effects of the high. Common tramadol drug combinations include:
Side Effects of Opioid Abuse
Opiate and opioid abuse can cause serious side effects or overdose. According to the National Institutes of Health, the side effects of opioid abuse include:
- Sedation
- Euphoria
- Dry mouth
- Itching
- Drowsiness
- Mental fog
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Slowed breathing
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Slowed breathing and heart rate
- Vomiting or gurgling noises
- Pale face that is clammy to the touch
- Limp body
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to speak
- Blue or purple fingernails or lips5
Other Commonly Abused Prescription Opioid Drugs
There are many other prescription opioids that are frequently abused in the U.S. Prescription drugs greatly contribute to the current opioid crisis and rising overdose rates, especially fentanyl. Other commonly abused prescription opioids include:
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Fentanyl
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Oxymorphone
- Meperidine
- Propoxyphene6
Getting Help for Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a serious disorder that can wreak havoc on a person’s life if it is left untreated. If you or a loved one is struggling with tramadol addiction or the misuse of other opioid prescription drugs, it’s never too late to get help.
Nova Recovery Center provides comprehensive treatment for substance abuse problems with several different stages of care, including medical detox, residential rehab, IOP, and sober living. We are here to provide all the support you need as you transition from a life of addiction to sobriety. Call (512) 605-2955 today to speak with a member of our admissions team.
References:
- http://info.iwpharmacy.com/opiate-opioid-narcotic-whats-the-difference
- SAMHSA: NSDUH annual national report
- MedlinePlus: Opioidabuseandaddiction
- Center on Addiction: Commonly misused prescription drugs
Nova Recovery Center offers a large range of substance abuse treatment services: detox, residential, outpatient and sober living.
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Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation. One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.
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