Can You Snort Tramadol? Risks & Effects of Snorting Tramadol

Why Do People Snort Tramadol?

Snorting tramadol can actually be one of the signs of tramadol addiction. Tramadol does still carry risks for abuse or addiction. The medication is an opiate, so people who have struggled with addiction to intoxicating substances, including opioid drugs, are still at risk of becoming addicted to tramadol. Additionally, some individuals attempt to experience a tramadol “high” by bypassing the medication’s safety features. One of these methods involves crushing and snorting the pills in order to bypass the slower release through the digestive system and force the drug directly into the bloodstream.

Can Snorting Tramadol Cause an Overdose?

Overdose deaths from opioids like tramadol were responsible for claiming more than 14,000 American lives in 2019. Although tramadol is a relatively weak opioid as compared to other agents like oxycodone, it nonetheless can be dangerous, especially if you take too much. Because of this, it is crucial to take tramadol only as instructed by your doctor and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of overdose.

Snorting tramadol increases the intensity of the effects, thereby increasing the risk of overdose. Snorting prescription opioids has been found to be a risk factor contributing to non-fatal overdose. People with a history of snorting opioids were 3 times more likely to overdose. This occurs because when the body is flooded with the substance, it becomes overwhelmed by the level of tramadol. This risk is much lower when the substance is used as directed, as serum concentrations of the drug rise in a much more controlled manner.

Signs of tramadol overdose include:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Profound, global muscle weakness
• Cyanotic skin, cold to the touch
• Labored, slowed, or altogether stopped breathing
• Marked drowsiness
• Dangerously slowed heart rate
• Unrousable loss of consciousness
• Coma

Skip To:

• Can You Snort Tramadol? Risks & Effects of Snorting Tramadol
• What Happens If You Snort Tramadol?
• Why Do People Snort Tramadol?
• Can Snorting Tramadol Cause an Overdose?
• Tramadol Addiction Statistics
• Tramadol Drug Fact Sheet
• Signs of Tramadol Addiction
• Effects of Snorting Tramadol
• Dangers of Snorting Tramadol
• Effects of Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol
• Tramadol Abuse and Addiction Treatment

Learn More:

• Tramadol Detox
• Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol Side Effects, Risks & Overdose Dangers
• Is Tramadol a Narcotic
• Tramadol Serotonin Syndrome
• Tramadol in Pregnancy
• Tramadol Interactions
• Muscle Relaxers
• Mixing Prescription Drugs with Alcohol
• Opioid Addiction Treatment
• Opiate Withdrawal
• Pain Medication List Strongest to Weakest

1.6 million Americans

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reports 1.6 million people over the age of 12 misused tramadol products in 2016.

Source: NSDUH

186%

Between 2000 and 2012, global tramadol consumption increased by 186%.

Source: NSDUH

Signs of Tramadol Addiction

Knowing that a loved one is addicted to tramadol can be challenging to identify, especially if they have been prescribed the medication at some point. A primary indicator of tramadol addiction is reflected in the compulsive drug seeking and using behavior that happens regardless of the negative outcomes. Individuals addicted to tramadol will:

• Have increased problems focusing on other life priorities like work or school.
• Shift their social networks towards different friends or have more conflict with loved ones.
• Encounter increased legal or financial stress.
• Make multiple attempts to quit or reduce use unsuccessfully.
• Experience unpredictable changes in mood.

Someone snorting tramadol may leave clues to their use, including:

• The appearance of white powder on their face, hands, or clothes.
• The presence of tools used to crush and snort the substance.
• Behavioral changes like frequent sniffing or rubbing of the nose.

• Agitation
• Chills
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Damage to the nasal membranes
• Congestion or constant runny nose
• Higher risk of lung infections

• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Itching
• Nervousness
• Vomiting
• Damage to the throat, esophagus, and lungs

Respiratory Damage

The first and perhaps most obvious danger of snorting tramadol is damage to the respiratory system. When you snort a drug, this can cause irritation and inflammation in the delicate tissues of your respiratory system. In addition, crushing the tramadol tablet into a powder and snorting it can also increase the risk of respiratory infection.

Drug Addiction

Snorting high amounts of tramadol also increases the risk of developing a drug addiction. Tramadol is a powerful opioid narcotic, and like all opioids, it is highly addictive. When you snort the drug, your tolerance for it will increase quickly, and you will need to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect. This can lead to disastrous consequences, including overdose.

Overdose

Tramadol overdose is a very real danger, especially if you are snorting the drug. In many cases, snorting drugs is often done in combination with drinking alcohol or taking other drugs. This can increase the risk of overdose and lead to serious consequences including coma and death.

Tramadol and alcohol can be dangerous when used in combination because both substances depress the central nervous system. Combining them could intensify the sedative and respiratory depressing effects of both, which could lead to unconsciousness, coma, respiratory arrest, overdose, or death.

When opioids are combined with alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, it can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression causing severe oxygen deprivation and long-term brain damage. This can quickly result in coma or become fatal.

Taking too much tramadol can also produce an overdose when combined with other substances such as alcohol and requires immediate medical attention. Warning signs of a potentially fatal tramadol overdose include:

• Increased heart rate
• Cold, sweaty skin
• Excessive sleepiness
• Loss of muscle control
• Pinpoint pupils
• Trouble breathing

Dual Diagnosis

 Substance abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis programs in New Jersey treat both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.

Medication-Assisted Treatments

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT) for substance use disorders and mental health disorders are commonly used in conjunction with one another. This includes the use of medications and other medical procedures. During your rehab, the staff from your treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily.

Now that we’ve answered the question, “Can you snort Tramadol?” It is important to always be reminded that Tramadol has the tendency of becoming a habit-forming drug. If you need help with a Tramadol addiction, seek help from trained professionals. Contact one of our helpful treatment specialists today. We Level Up rehab center in New Jersey can provide information on dual diagnosis and detox programs that may fit your specific needs.