Tramadol
is virtually used for many purposes as a s*x enhancer, pain reliever
and as a substance to make you high. Don't be fooled! Here are real
health dangers.
What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is an opiod pain medication used to treat moderate to
moderately severe pain. When taken as an immediate-release oral
formulation, the onset of pain relief usually occurs within about an
hour. Tramadol is a type of strong opiod that works on the nervous
system and brain to reduce the feel of pain. There are many different
forms, strengths and brands of tramadol. Some forms and brands start
working quickly to ease the pain, while others release the tramadol they
contain more slowly, over several hours, to provide a constant and more
even pain control. These are called ”modified-release” and often have
‘XL’ ‘SR’ or ’24hr’ in front of the brand name.
Why is tramadol abused?
Apart from its pain relieving effects, tramadol has been discovered
to give a feeling of euphoric high when taken in large quantity. When
opiods like tramadol are mixed with alcohol, it increases the effects of
the alcohol.
Toyosi Ogunjobi, a 19-year-old public secondary school student in
Lagos, who is into the abuse of the drug told The Nation that he mixes
tramadol with alcohol when he wants to engage in manual labour. He
claims it allows him to work harder and longer but that if he takes the
mixture without working, it weakens him.
Gabriel Oladoye, a 21 year-old undergraduate of the University of
Agriculture, Abeokuta also admits to abusing tramadol. To him, tramadol
serves as an aphrodisiac. He says he normally takes the drug few minutes
before sex and it enables him last longer and perform better in bed.
Bode, a 27 year-old liquor seller says mixing tramadol with Bullet
alcohol drink helps him last longer during intercourse, since he
normally suffers from premature expulsion. He shared an experience in
which he engaged in intercourse all night with a commercial sex worker
after taking tramadol with ‘Bullet’. He said they had marathon sex all
night, but confessed that he had to visit the clinic during the day,
when he began experiencing pains on his manhood. The doctor, after
checking him up for infections, warned him to desist from such
medications and marathon sex, as he was lucky not to have ruptured his
tissues.
Effects of tramadol abuse
Although tramadol is an over-the-counter medication, its abuse can
cause some undesirable effects similar to those of other opiates, such
as dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, insomnia, headache, shaking,
heartburn, panic attacks, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation,
itching, sweating and dry mouth.
According to Adekunle Adeseye of Ariset Medical Hospital, tramadol
belongs to a family of analgesic and it is actually a synthetic opiod.
He said it can lead to addiction like other opiods such as morphine,
cocaine and the rest. Some of its other side-effects include
light-headedness, serious vomiting and even sedation, as it is narcotic
in nature.
Dr. Jude Okonkwo, a medical practitioner at Medicare Hospital Ota,
added that overdosing on the drugs can make some people experience
difficulty in breathing; and that once addicted to the drugs, abusers
won’t be able to function well without the drug, as it has neurological
side-effects.
Asked to confirm the claims that the drug has aphrodasic effects
and also gives extra strength, Dr. Okonkwo said “Those claims could be
true, as it is a narcotic. It heightens the senses, but its effects vary
from persons to persons. Abusing the drug has more” negative effects
than any perceived positive.
He advised that abusers-turned addicts should stop and youths who
take it for recreation because of its euphoric effect should stop as
well; as drugs should only be taken on doctor’s prescription.
When asked how the increase in tramadol abuse can be curbed, he
advised that parents and guardians should tutor their wards more on the
hazards of drug abuse. He also wants the government to place serious
sanctions and restrictions on the use of the medication.
