30 Jun What Are The Symptoms Of Tramadol Withdrawal?

If you or a loved one has developed a dependency on a drug, you want to know how to overcome your addiction without tramadol withdrawal symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about what detox will look like and how you can expect symptoms to be managed.

Understanding tramadol withdrawal symptoms

Tramadol is an opioid, meaning that it works with opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain.

However, unlike most opioids, tramadol has a secondary function that also reduces pain by inhibiting the uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. The result is that tramadol withdrawal can present two different sets of symptoms.

Traits typical of opiate withdrawal

Since tramadol is an opioid, you may experience symptoms typical of opioid withdrawal, including:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Muscle aches, body pains, and sweating
• Restlessness, loss of appetite, dizziness

Unique side effects of tramadol withdrawal

Symptoms of withdrawal specific to tramadol are known as ‘atypical opioid withdrawal syndrome’. Characteristics of this condition include:

• High anxiety and panic attacks
• Intense paranoia and hallucinations
• Confusion, disorientation, and depersonalization
• Unusual sensory experiences, such as tingling or prickling sensations and numbness

Although these symptoms aren’t physically dangerous, they do predispose the person who is experiencing them to end up in dangerous scenarios without supervision and guidance.

Tramadol withdrawal duration

The duration of tramadol withdrawal symptoms is affected by a number of factors, including:

• How long you have been taking tramadol
• How much tramadol you take and how often you take it
• Your general overall health, including age and any other medications or medical conditions you may have

On average, withdrawal periods last about two weeks. The approximate timeline is as follows:

PAWS: long-lasting tramadol withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms that last more than a week are known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). PAWS typically fade over time, but can persist for up to 2 years.

Examples of typical PAWS symptoms include:

• Mood swings
• Decreased appetite
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate

How medically managed detox can help you recover safely

The additional safety in having a doctor guide your detox is obvious. Healthcare providers can guide you towards a shorter, more comfortable withdrawal, increasing the chances of a successful recovery.

The best way to reduce tramadol withdrawal symptoms is to adhere to an effective tapering method. This means that instead of stopping taking tramadol immediately, you subsequently take smaller doses to gradually wean your body off dependency. Only an experienced healthcare professional can examine your situation and create a plan that works.

Doctors can also handle determining which medications are best to reduce or eliminate symptoms. This is especially important if you are taking other medications or have other medical conditions, as there are many drug interactions you should be cautious to avoid. Even if you are confident in your ability to check labels, having a healthcare provider’s guidance can allow you to focus your energies on your recovery instead.