Addiction refers to any behavior that is out of control and causes us to be addicted to a substance or activity.

While addiction can involve activities such as shopping, television, and computer games, there are also many addiction cases that are related to drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy.

As our society focuses on these major drugs, there is another problem that seems to be overlooked – addiction to painkillers. There is one particular painkiller that has already claimed more lives than cocaine and heroin.

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According to Professor Jack Crane, Northern Ireland’s state pathologist, Tramadol has killed more people than cocaine and heroin. A prescribed pain-reliever, Tramadol, is part of the opioid group that works mostly in the body’s central nervous system.

Tramadol can be harmful if you have these health problems: blockage in the stomach or intestine, difficulty breathing, and if you drink alcohol daily. Doctors may not prescribe this painkiller to people suffering from any of those three problems as it can slow or stop your breathing.

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Side Effects of Tramadol: Some of the common symptoms you may experience after taking tramadol include bloating, nausea, increased blood pressure, chills, and stomach or abdominal pain. You may also experience fainting, blood in urine, loss of memory, and increased heart rate.

Pregnant women should also avoid tramadol as it may cause life-threatening withdrawal conditions for the newborn.

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Those who decide to overdose on Tramadol may experience changes in consciousness, severe fatigue, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and reduced muscle tone. Many of those symptoms may lead to other health issues and can be life-threatening.

Because many people do not like swallowing pills, they tend to crush tramadol up and inhale them. Others dilute them in beverages or inject them. However, tramadol has to be taken orally. Inhaling, crushing, or injecting it can cause overdose, life-threatening side effects, or even death.

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In cases of chronic pain, doctors recommend adults to take 100mg once a day. For severe or moderate pain, doctors may recommend 50 to 100 mg every six hours. It is also important to read the label and avoid increasing the dosing without consulting your doctor.

Precautions: If you are already taking tramadol, it is best to stop taking other painkiller medications to avoid an adverse reaction. Tell your doctor all types of medication you are currently taking when you are prescribed tramadol.

Also, this painkiller may increase suicidal thoughts. If you notice that you feel depressed or have thoughts about hurting yourself, visit your physician right away. Observe any unusual changes in your behavior, such as anxiousness, nervousness or becoming violent or angry.

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