5 ways to help RIGHT NOW
It is normal that you want to help your friend or loved one with their addiction problem. How do you get started? Here are some ideas on what you can do for a tramadol addict:
- Educate yourself about tramadol addiction and recovery.
- Avoid any judgement or conflict with your loved one.
- Set boundaries to which you all agree on.
- Help your friend or loved one in the creation of a sober environment.
- Have faith that your loved one will change and succeed in becoming sober again.
What else can you do to help? Join us here, as we cover the basics of tramadol addiction treatment and explain what does the rehabilitation process look like. Then, we welcome your questions at the end, and answer personally and promptly to all legitimate inquiries.
Help a tramadol addict quit
It is always challenging to approach someone with a drug problem. The first step is usually the most difficult. Before you start a conversation with an addict, you need to inform yourself about the medication they are abusing and find a way to talk to them. Keep in mind that expressing support and concern instead of arguing or attacking may take you further.
Always remember that you can try to motivate and help a person in the process of recovery, but only if they are prepared and willing to enter treatment. Finding the most suitable and appropriate treatment is an important factor for successfully overcoming a tramadol addiction problem.
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Call us at 1-877-752-1827 to get a clearer strategy.
We understand addiction.
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What happens in rehab?
What happens when a person enters a treatment program? These are the usual stages you can expect:
1. Intake and assessment – During this initial phase, clients meet with a medical supervisor and talk about:
- the duration of tramadol abuse
- previous history of substance abuse
- other medications or substances
During intake, physical health state is also assessed through a series of tests and examinations. Medical professionals also assess mental health through a series of interviews and standard questions that usually take 1 – 1 1/2 hours to complete.
2. Medical detox – After the intake session follows detoxification, if needed. A medical detox is the process of eliminating tramadol from an individual’s body. This procedure is commonly accompanied by unpleasant withdrawal and is recommended under the supervision of experts due to its seriousness.
Symptoms of tramadol detox can last anywhere from a few days to one month, or even more. Long term tramadol users may experience PAWS (protracted withdrawal symptoms), including depression and mood disorders for six (6) months or more after last use.
3. Psychotherapy and Medication Assisted Therapy – Psychotherapy is considered to be the golden standard of addiction treatment. Multiple types of therapy address the underlying reasons on why people start to use tramadol in an unhealthy way in the first place. The goal is to identify beliefs and then and replace self-destructive patterns with positive ones. During treatment, you may be prescribed medications to help you address drug cravings, and focus on therapy instead. The combo of medications + talk therapy has been shown to be most effective when used together.
4. Aftercare – When you are sober and tramadol-free, an aftercare plan helps prevent relapse. Aftercare is important for maintaining a long-term and successful recovery and usually involves a component of continued psychotherapy, sober living, and support services.
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Want to find a rehab for a loved one?
We’ll walk you through the process.
Call 1-877-752-1827 24-7 Day or Night.
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Help a tramadol addicted friend
In case you have a friend or a family member who is showing signs of tramadol addiction, there are several ways you can help them. The best suggestion that we can offer is to advise that you be a part of your loved one’s treatment process. Other ways to help a tramadol addict include:
- Performing a brief intervention
- Setting limits and boundaries
- Looking for family therapy
A brief intervention is a technique used to initiate change for an unhealthy or risky behavior. During an intervention, you should present the facts, observations, and your point of view about how the addictive behavior affects you and other friends and family members. In order to perform a successful intervention advise a professional interventionist to define the 5W: Who, What, Where, When and Why of the intervention.
Setting boundaries means drawing the line for behaviors which are not accepted. This includes refusing to give money or provide a place to stay. Seeing someone you love struggle with addiction can be difficult and disturbing, but it is the only way an addict can face the real consequences of his/her substance abuse.
Family support groups and family therapy can be very helpful for family members of addicts in recovery. As a part of these groups, you’ll have the chance to meet others who are dealing with similar problems and who have close family members struggling with substance abuse. Listening and sharing experiences might help you overcome negative perceptions about substance abuse and allow you to continue to live your own live normally.
Self help tramadol addiction
Self-help groups are usually recommended to complement the effects of professional drug addiction treatment. Participating in self help group such as Narc-Anon, the family complement to Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can help you review many psychological aspects of enabling behavior. Most self-help groups are based on the 12-step model. However, models like SMART Recovery can be helpful, too. Most drug addiction treatment programs encourage addicts to participate in a self-help group during and after formal treatment.
Get help tramadol addiction
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can be a great source for finding treatment options and legal help.
Tramadol addiction helplines which are sponsored by the U.S. federal government are also a great resource. You can call 1-800-662-HELP to seek help.
In case you suspect someone has suicidal thoughts you should immediately call this suicide prevention hotline for help and assistance 1-800-273-TALK.
Helping a tramadol addict questions
Do you still have questions about helping a tramadol addict? Please share your questions and experiences below. We try to respond to your questions personally and promptly. In case we cannot answer your particular question, we will gladly refer you to professionals who can help.
Reference sources: NCBI: Withdrawal syndrome after long-term treatment with tramadol
NIH: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction: What Science Says
NIH: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
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