The Tramadol High-The Growing Trend Of Tramadol Use By High School Students
Tramadol use seems to be a growing trend as an experimental drug for high-school students. Even children as young as eight years old have been found under the influence of this prescription medication. How are these drugs getting into the hands of children so young and why is Tramadol becoming a popular drug to get high with?
What Exactly Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a prescription drug that is classified in the opiate family. This drug is very similar to codeine for its pain killing properties. Tramadol is seen by the medical profession as a safe alternative to more powerful opiate drugs like oxycodone. Not only is Tramadol used to treat pain in humans, many Veterinarians use it to control pain in animals as well.
Why Tramadol Is Being Used As A Recreational Drug
Young teens and pre-teens are using Tramadol for several reasons. The first reason is simply because it has become easily available. As more physicians write prescriptions for this medication instead of oxycodone, medicine cabinets all over the country become well stocked. Children can then easily take the pills from their parents and bring them to school. As word gets around about the opiate high that can be obtained from this medication, students become curious to find out what all the fuss is about.
The Dangers Of Tramadol High
Like any other drug that contains opiates, Tramadol use can have adverse side effects. Narcotics can be extremely habit forming and can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms and even death. People taking Tramadol can experience vomiting, nausea, itching, sweating, constipation and extreme drowsiness. Taking this drug long-term can cause severe dependency issues, not unlike a heroin addiction.
Opiate Drugs Cause Addiction
Opiate drugs are often used as just something to have fun with and to experiment with. Unfortunately, opiates change the chemistry of the brain. It takes larger and larger doses to get the same "high" as before. Kids in elementary and junior high school are still growing, including their brains. Altering chemicals in the brain function of kids so young can only lead to disaster.
Taking any prescription drug carries risks and can come with side effects. For now, it appears that Tramadol use in teenagers is just coming into national attention. More reports of kids who are high and under the influence of Tramadol are being noticed by hospital staff. Tramadol is becoming the experimental drug of choice for many young students.