When it comes to managing pain, tramadol is a commonly prescribed medication that can provide relief for many individuals. However, despite its benefits, combining tramadol with alcohol can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. Both substances have sedative effects on the central nervous system, and when used together, they can amplify each other's risks, leading to severe consequences like respiratory depression, overdose, and long-term health complications.
In this blog, Avenues Recovery explores why mixing tramadol and alcohol is so harmful, the potential dangers of combining tramadol and alcohol, and offers guidance on how to safely manage your health when taking tramadol. Whether you're currently using tramadol or just looking to learn more, understanding these risks is crucial to safeguarding your well-being.
What Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a prescription opioid analgesic used to alleviate moderate to severe pain. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Tramadol is a Schedule IV drug, which means it is less likely to be abused than other drugs so long as it is used as prescribed. Prescribed for conditions like post-surgical pain and chronic pain, tramadol comes in various forms. Despite its effectiveness, it carries a risk of abuse, addiction, and side effects, including constipation, dizziness and nausea. Patients should strictly adhere to prescribed doses, share their medication history with their provider, and be careful not to mix tramadol with other drugs or alcohol.
The Effects and Dangers of Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol
Here are some effects and dangers of mixing tramadol and alcohol:
- Central Nervous System Depression: Both tramadol and alcohol slow down the central nervous system. The combined effect can lead to severe drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and focusing difficulties when taken together.
- Breathing Difficulty (Respiratory Depression): Taking tramadol and alcohol together can result in slowed or shallow breathing. In extreme cases, respiratory depression can cause death.
- Increased Risk of Overdose: Both tramadol and alcohol can make it hard to make good decisions. When used together, individuals may underestimate the effects, leading to higher doses and a bigger chance of overdose.
- Impaired Motor Skills: The combination can weaken motor skills and reaction times, which increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Gastrointestinal Effects (Stomach Problems): tramadol and alcohol can irritate the stomach. Combining them may increase the risk of stomach bleeding and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Additive Sedative Effects: tramadol has sedative effects, making you tired. This can slow your body down. When combined with alcohol, the sedation can be intensified, leading to a higher risk of falls and accidents.
- Risk of Seizures: tramadol is associated with an increased risk of seizures. Combining the two may elevate the risk of seizures.
- Increased Liver Toxicity: Both tramadol and alcohol can have harmful effects on the liver. Taking them together may give you a higher chance of getting liver damage.
Additional tramadol and alcohol side effects include dizziness and drowsiness, impaired cognitive function, and cardiovascular effects.
If you find yourself mixing tramadol with alcohol to cope with everyday life, please reach out to us at Avenues Recovery so we can guide you on your path to recovery.
Can You Overdose on Tramadol and Alcohol Together?
Taking alcohol with tramadol at the same time can lead to a dangerous combined overdose, causing a medical emergency. Naloxone, a medication commonly used to counteract decreased breathing in opioid overdoses, is not effective in reversing tramadol overdoses. Using tramadol with other central nervous system depressants, like alcohol, significantly increases the risk of overdose, which is why it’s not a good idea to mix alcohol and tramadol.
Symptoms of A Tramadol And Alcohol Overdose
Individuals facing an overdose involving tramadol and alcohol may exhibit the following combined effects:
- Slow heart rate or loss of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Extreme drowsiness
- Pale skin
- Purple or blue lips and fingernails
If you or a friend are experiencing the above symptoms, call 911 immediately.
How Long After Taking Tramadol Can I Drink Alcohol?
Unfortunately, there is no safe way to take tramadol and alcohol together. Obviously, if tramadol or alcohol are mixed in very low doses, the risk becomes lessened, but there is still some risk involved. Tramadol has many side effects when taken alone and when mixed with alcohol the chance of side effects increases.
As both alcohol and tramadol are central nervous system depressants, combining them makes their effects much stronger. The enhanced effects of taking them together at low doses include lowered breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.
When alcohol and tramadol are taken in higher doses, the fatal mix could cause a person’s blood pressure and heart rate to drop to a dangerously low level and their breathing to stop altogether causing coma or death.
Dangerous Conditions Caused By Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol
Combining tramadol and alcohol can lead to a dangerous condition called hypoxia, where vital organs, like the brain, lack oxygen due to slowed blood circulation. This can result in brain damage over time.
Lack of oxygen to the brain can cause an inhibited ability to :
- Learn
- Focus
- Remember things
- Problem solve
Long-term use of alcohol and tramadol increases the chance of someone contracting different diseases like:
- Cancer
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Ulcers
- Arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries, which could lead to a stroke or heart attack)
- Stroke
- Neurological damage potentially leading to dementia
- Kidney problem
Treatment for Alcohol and Tramadol Abuse
Here is a general plan of how combined alcohol and tramadol abuse might be treated:
- Medical Assessment:
Seek immediate medical attention to assess the individual's physical and mental health. Evaluate the extent of alcohol and tramadol use and any potential physical complications. - Detoxification:
If needed, consider a medically supervised detoxification at a rehab center like Avenues Recovery to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. Monitor vital signs, provide supportive care, and administer medications if necessary. - Professional Counseling and Therapy:
Engage in individual counseling to address underlying issues contributing to substance abuse. Consider behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to modify destructive thinking and behavior patterns. Family therapy may be beneficial to involve the support system in the recovery process. - Support Groups:
Attend support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to connect with others facing similar challenges. Participate in group therapy sessions to share experiences and learn coping strategies. - Medical Management:
Work with healthcare professionals to manage any co-occurring mental health disorders that may contribute to substance abuse. Discuss the potential use of medications that may aid in the treatment of alcohol or opioid dependence. - Education:
Provide education on the risks and consequences of combined alcohol and tramadol use. Promote awareness of healthier coping mechanisms and stress management techniques. - Lifestyle Changes:
Encourage the development of a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient sleep. Identify and address triggers that may lead to substance use. - Relapse Prevention:
Develop a relapse prevention plan with the guidance of a healthcare professional. Identify coping strategies and skills to manage cravings and stressful situations. - Follow-Up Care:
Establish a long-term care plan, including regular follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals. Continue therapy and support group involvement as part of ongoing maintenance. - Social Support:
Cultivate a supportive social network that encourages positive behaviors and discourages substance use. Strengthen relationships with friends and family who can provide emotional support.
What Are Some Signs of Alcohol and Tramadol Use?
Some signs of combined alcohol and tramadol use include being tired, difficulties in thinking, focusing, and motor planning that may lead to accidents or injuries, and a worsening of mental health symptoms.
Physical symptoms include slow or shallow breathing, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and a higher risk of overdose. Behavioral and social signs include withdrawing from social activities and relationships.
Tramadol and Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you or your loved one is suffering from alcohol or tramadol abuse, know that there is hope. Although it may seem daunting, recovery is entirely possible. At Avenues Recovery we create personalized treatment plans to tailor to your specific needs. Our dedicated and professional staff have helped thousands of people break free of their addictions, and they can help you too. Contact Avenues to experience high-quality care, understanding staff and a warm, caring community. We will support you every step of the way to recovery. Reach out to us today, to take your first step towards a happier, healthier and addiction-free future.