Ultram addiction

[Dancergrl28]

I need some help. I have a close friend that has been addicted to the drug Ultram (tramadol) for almost 10 years now. I knew she was taking it here and there for her back pain, but I had no idea how MUCH and how often she was taking it. When she finally broke down and told me what was going on, I promised to help her. I have been doing research on this powerfull (and addicting) drug and I'm amazed at what I've found. She has tried to go off of the drug, on her own, and that resulted in some major health complications. It is very clear to me now that she will need some kind of medical supervision if she tries to "detox" again. So therefore, the reason I am posting on this board is because I wanted to know if ANYONE has any advice or recommendations on finding a rehab establishment that is familiar with Ultram addiction and detox. I have been surprised to find that alot of articles and research engines do not consider the withdrawel of this drug to be that serious since it's not technically a narcotic. Please respond to my post if anyone has any advice or any rehab recommendation anywhere in the US.

[katie865]

Hello! Im sorry, but I cannot relate directly to Ultram addiction, as I was addicted to a narcotic. But I do know that I have been reading these boards for some time now, and have come across many people seeking help and offering advice on ultram addiction...My advice for right now, until some more replies can get answered for you...I would search the boards, just type in ultram addiction into the board search, you should find quite a bit of posts...there has been alot since I have became a member. Hope that helps just a little bit.

What a great friend you are for doing so much research! I do know that Ultram can be a very addicting drug and the withdrawls can be very dangerous if not supervised by a doctor.

Take care.
Katie

[Ellnyc]

Hi and welcome to the boards. I'm sorry you had to come looking for us. :-(
Anyway, when I was looking for a rehab in 1988 to come off of xanax (one of the more addicting tranquilizers), I did quite a bit of research before I decided on Hazelden in Minn. If I were in your shoes, I would check them out either online or by giving them a call to find out specifically about Ultram withdrawal. I think Ultram addiction is a fairly recent phenomenon, but they are the leaders in the world of recovery and addiction and they would surely be able to help and/or point you in the right direction. There rehab facility is one of the best.
Intrestingly enough, though I have been clean and sober since 1988, I was also prescribed Ultram after several surgerys and a bout with cancer in 2003, (surgery and radiation). I still take a very small dose of it to alleviate pain left over from radiation treatments, where I was severely burned.) I only recently started experimenting with a very slow taper to see what my current pain level is, and have just begun with a reduction of 1/4 of a pill! Thankfully, I have remained on a very low dose, I don't know what your friend was taking,
but stopping abruptly can definitely call sizures, high blood pressure and lots of other very unpleasant symptoms.
perhaps others will chime in with other rehab recs - that was the one that turned my life around.
Best of luck,
El

[herbal]

So tramadol w/ds can cause high blood pressure and seizures?

[zandy]

Most withdrawals can cause high bld pressure and seizures. It's quite a stress on the body.