Tramadol is a prescription opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain. Although tramadol is thought to have a relatively low potential for addiction when compared to other opioids, it can easily be abused. Misuse of tramadol occurs when a person uses it in amounts or a frequency above the prescribed dose. 

Abuse can also include administering tramadol in a way that is not intended, such as snorting. Doing so is potentially dangerous and can result in dependence and addiction at a faster rate than when used as directed. According to a Time article, snorting any kind of powder is a bad idea and can cause damage to nasal tissues. 

Snorting Tramadol Risks

Snorting tramadol can increase the risk of all of the following:

Increased Risk of Overdose

Among the most serious dangers of snorting tramadol is an increased risk of overdose. When snorting tramadol, users must first grind up the tablets into a fine powder. Doing this may increase the chance of overdose because once snorted, it will bypass the digestive system and go directly into the blood. If not properly metabolized by the liver, the potency of tramadol and its effects is more likely to result in overdose, especially when snorted in excessive amounts or in combination with alcohol.

Symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include:

Increased Risk of Seizure

The possibility of suffering a seizure is also increased when a person snorts tramadol. There is a potential for seizures to occur even when tramadol is taken in recommended doses, but are more likely to happen if a person abuses the drug or has an overdose.

Increased Risk of Breathing Difficulties

Snorting tramadol can cause a person to lose consciousness due to the excessive amounts of the drug entering the body and bloodstream abruptly. Repeatedly Snorting tramadol can also impair the nose’s filtering capacity and cause small amounts of tramadol powder to enter the lungs. If this occurs, it can result in additional breathing problems.

Increased Risk of Tolerance and Dependence

As noted, snorting tramadol allows for higher amounts of the drug to enter into the body at once. This effect can increase the risk of a user developing tolerance to the drug’s effects. As a result, he or she will need to use larger and more frequent doses of tramadol to experience the desired effects.

Dependence is a condition that hallmarks addiction. Chronic use of tramadol by any method can result in the body adapting to the presence of the drug. When this occurs, the person is no longer able to function normally without it.

People who have developed a dependence on tramadol will encounter uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if they abruptly stop using the drug. Possible tramadol withdrawal symptoms include the following:

Increased Risk of Side Effects

Snorting tramadol, instead of consuming it by swallowing, can also increase the risk of encountering side effects. These effects may also be increased in severity and duration.

Why People Snort Tramadol

Snorting tramadol increases the intensity of its effects and can lead to feelings of euphoria. This “high” feeling is the primary reason why people abuse the drug in this way. Some people, however, start out using tramadol for a legitimate medical purpose and steadily begin to increase their dose as tolerance to the drug’s effects increases.

Eventually, a person may reach a ceiling effect in which they no longer feel the effects they seek from oral consumption. Therefore, they may progress to snorting tramadol instead.

Side Effects of Snorting Tramadol

Tramadol has become increasingly popular as a substance of abuse, possibly because other, more potent opioid medications are becoming harder to obtain. Side effects caused by snorting tramadol will depend on how efficiently their body processes the drug and how much damage they have incurred both mentally and physically.

Common side effects of snorting tramadol may include the following:

Less commonly, tramadol abuse may also cause:

Getting Treatment for Addiction

Harmony Treatment and Wellness is a nationally accredited treatment center that offers comprehensive programs intended to address all aspects of addiction and mental health. We aim to provide our clients with the tools and support they need to be successful in recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to tramadol, other drugs, or alcohol, contact us today! We are committed to helping people break free from the chains of addiction and transform their lives!

Lortab is an opioid medication commonly used to treat pain and severe cough. It contains both acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Lortab is similar to the more familiar-sounding painkiller combination drugs Norco and Vicodin.

Opioid medications like hydrocodone can cause adverse side effects and lead to abuse and addiction. By understanding how Lortab is processed in a person’s system can help patients use it safely, with less risk to their health.

Lortab Facts

Duration of Effects

Much research has been conducted to determine how long Lortab stays in a person’s system. Lortab starts being processed rapidly, and it can be detected in the person’s saliva and blood within 15–30 minutes of use. Lortab levels are their highest in the blood at around 1.3 hours. If an individual has become dependent on Lortab, they would likely start encountering withdrawal symptoms within 6–12 hours after the last dose.

Half-Life of Lortab

Half-life refers to the amount of time needed for 50% of a substance to be cleared from a person’s system. Lortab’s half-life can be measured by the half-life of hydrocodone, which is, on average, about 3.8 hours. It then takes 5-6 half-lives to expel most of the drug from the system. The half-life of Lortab could also be measured by the half-life of acetaminophen, which is between 1.25–3 hours.

A person’s unique genetic profile and history of Lortab use or misuse may affect Lortab’s concentration in the body at any given time. A drug’s half-life may also be influenced by the method used to measure, such as using urine, blood, or saliva tests.

How Long Can Lortab Be Identified in a Drug Test?

How long Lortab is detectable depends on the bodily fluid (or sometimes hair follicle) used to measure it. Moreover, Lortab is cleared from plasma within just a couple of days. For this reason, drug tests that use bodily fluids are not able to detect Lortab if the person hasn’t recently used it. Lortab use is detectable in the hair follicles for much longer periods, however.

Urine—Research has found that while the majority of hydrocodone has been eliminated from urine was within 24 hours, though it may be detectable in urine for 2–4 days following the last dose.

Blood—As noted, hydrocodone doesn’t remain in the blood for very long, and for this reason, drug screens can only detect it within around 24 hours of using it.

Saliva—Lortab can be detected in a person’s saliva for up to 48 hours. In fact, it may be easier to identify hydrocodone in saliva than in the blood.

Hair—Drugs can remain in hair follicles for a prolonged period. Drug tests can detect many drugs, including hydrocodone, for up to 90 days after a person has discontinued using them.

Factors that Influence How Long Lortab Stays In the System

It is crucial to note individuals process substances at different rates. Factors that may affect Lortab’s half-life include the following:

Frequency and Amount Used—The bodies of persons who have used Lortab for a prolonged period or typically take a high dose will take longer to eliminate the drug from their system.

Age—Older persons are often not able to metabolize opioids as efficiently as younger individuals.

Polysubstance Use or Abuse—Some substances can cause adverse reactions when used in conjunction. A person who has more than one substance in his or her body may not be able to metabolize each drug as fast or effectively. Other substances may include other prescription medication, illegal drugs, alcohol, and even some over-the-counter medications.

Overall Health—A person who suffers from certain co-occurring mental health or physical conditions may have a reduced ability to eliminate Lortab from their system.

How the Body Metabolizes Lortab

Metabolization is a term used to describe the process of substances being broken down in the body. Opioid metabolism begins when liver enzymes start to break it down into simpler components. The drug then is circulated throughout the body, where it reaches a variety of organs and tissues. Over time, it is eventually excreted through urine.

Getting Help for Addiction

If you or someone you love is misusing Lortab, professional help is available. Lortab has a high potential for abuse and addiction, and it’s not difficult to become dependent upon it.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers comprehensive programs in both partial hospitalization and outpatient formats. Our programs include evidence-based services proven to be indispensable for recovery, including behavioral therapy. Individuals that choose our center will receive the very best care available and will be supported by our compassionate staff throughout their journey to long-lasting sobriety.

If you are struggling to quit using Lortab, contact us today! Discover more about how we can help you forge your path out of addiction for life!

Oxycodone (OxyContin) is a prescription opioid approved to treat moderate-severe pain. It also acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Like all opioids, oxycodone has a very high potential for both abuse and addiction.

Oxycodone is addictive because it acts on the brain’s reward center by using certain neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, are chemical messengers in the CNS that contribute to intense feelings of well-being or euphoria.

How Is Oxycodone Used?

Oxycodone is usually prescribed in tablet form, and oral delivery is by far the most common means of abuse. It can also be crushed into a powder, however, and the resulting product can be inhaled into the nasal passage, or put into a pipe or vaporizer and smoked. Both of these other methods of administration result in faster transit of the substance to the brain and will result in the drug acting rapidly on the body, which can ultimately lead to severe side effects.

When oxycodone is smoked, rapid absorption of the drug induces a massive release of dopamine, which then initiates the euphoric “high” and enforces the drug’s potential for addiction. Some studies suggest that oxycodone users may be more likely to use other substances, such as stimulants, which can increase the likelihood of overdose when used simultaneously.

Tolerance and Dependence

Over time, dependence and tolerance can develop from routine oxycodone use. When a user becomes dependent on oxycodone, very unpleasant withdrawal effects will onset if he or she tries to cut back or quit “cold turkey.”

The manifestation of withdrawal symptoms is a telltale sign that the person’s body has become unable to function normally without the drug’s presence. These symptoms are both emotional and physical and can persist for many days after the last dose has been ingested.

Along with dependence, over time, tolerance is likely to occur. As the person’s system becomes less sensitive to oxycodone, he or she will be compelled to take increasing amounts of the drug to reach the desired effects. This cycle of cause-and-effect behavior can rapidly result in a worsening of the addiction, and, ultimately, overdose.

Side effects from consuming large doses of oxycodone, regardless of administration, include the following:

Effects of Smoking Oxycodone

One of the fastest methods of becoming intoxicated by a drug is by smoking it. When oxycodone is consumed in this way, the person rapidly becomes intoxicated. Effects may include the following:

The euphoric effects of the drug will subside more rapidly when opioids are smoked. Because of this fact, persons who smoke oxycodone are more likely to ingest it in a binge-like fashion. Unfortunately, this cycle can result in overdose and death.

Overdose is potentially the most severe side effect caused by excessive doses of oxycodone. When the drug is tampered with and delivered rapidly, the person may be more likely to consume too much. His or her brain may begin to shut down as a result of oxygen deprivation and profound respiratory depression.

Long-term smoking of any substance, including oxycodone, can result in lung infections due to tissue damage, emphysema, or lung cancer. Overdose death is the most severe potential side effect caused by excessive doses of oxycodone.

Effects of Snorting Oxycodone

The manifestation of symptoms of intoxication is slower by way of snorting oxycodone versus smoking. Crushing the drug into a fine powder and ingesting it through the nose still allows the person to avoid the time-release element of the drug and experience the effects more intensely and rapidly than if it were consumed orally as a tablet.

One of the primary side effects that occur due to snorting oxycodone is tissue damage to the nose, sinuses, and throat. This damage can result in chronic nosebleeds, loss of sense of smell or taste, and recurrent bacterial infections in the nose and upper respiratory system.

When oxycodone is snorted, it is absorbed into the bloodstream via mucous membranes that line the nose and throat. This action allows the opioid to reach the brain more rapidly, meaning that its effects can onset within as little as two minutes after intranasal ingestion.

How to Overcome Oxycodone Addiction

Those who tamper with the method of administration, such as moving from oral ingestion to smoking or snorting oxycodone, put themselves at a higher risk of overdose, dependence, addiction, and death.

Rehab programs that specialize in helping people overcome narcotics addiction, such as those offered by Harmony Treatment and Wellness, can help manage withdrawal symptoms and also provide therapy to facilitate long-term recovery.

Our treatment center offers integrated treatment that includes services vital to long-term recovery, such as behavioral therapy, individual and family counseling, medication-assisted treatment, aftercare planning, and more.

If you are struggling with an addiction to oxycodone or another substance, call us today to discuss treatment options and learn how we can help!

Whether you are an occasional drinker or one who regularly imbibes and has “one too many,” it is critical to understand that certain medications can adversely interact with alcohol. If you have been prescribed tramadol (Ultram), you were likely already informed by medical personnel that drinking while using this medication is risky and ill-advised.

So, what precisely are the potential risks of combining tramadol and alcohol? What should you do if you’re struggling with an addiction to tramadol or alcoholism?

Whether it’s prescription drugs or alcohol, it’s essential to use these substances responsibly and only as directed. Engaging in actions others than those prescribed by a physician can lead to chronic abuse, addiction, health complications, and overdose.

What Is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid agonist that is prescribed to treat various degrees of pain. This function is due to its action on the body that induces pain-relieving effects by altering pain perception. Some people use tramadol mostly on an as-needed basis for pain, while others may be prescribed to use it on a regular basis for chronic conditions.

Although tramadol is believed to have a lower potential for addiction than many other opioids, it can be habit-forming and result in a variety of adverse side effects. For this reason, it is currently classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a schedule IV substance.

Side Effects of Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol

Most prescription medications come with the potential for certain side effects, especially if abused. Both tramadol and alcohol act on the central nervous system (CNS) to reduce activity and, therefore, have sedating effects.

When used at the same time, the effects of these drugs can be compounded, meaning that each substance amplifies the effects of the other. Their combined impact can result in profound CNS depression, overdose, and even death. Please note that the effects of combining tramadol and alcohol are far greater than each substance’s individual effects.

Side effects of tramadol abuse include the following:

Side effects of alcohol abuse include the following:

There are many reasons why a person would decide to mix drugs and alcohol. One of the most obvious reasons is to induce feelings of being “high” or euphoria. Another would be for self-medication purposes. That is, someone with chronic pain or mental illness may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to relieve physical or emotional pain or both.

When a person becomes addicted to one substance, that person may be more likely to use other substances at the risk of also becoming dependent on it, as well. The following are some of the hazards combining tramadol and alcohol:

• Combining tramadol and alcohol can increase the chances of experiencing an overdose on either substance.
• Both substances are CNS depressants, which means they work to slow brain function, either when used alone or when combined.
• Mixing tramadol and alcohol can cause or exacerbate depression, which may, in turn, result in suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Other Side Effects of Mixing Tramadol and Alcohol

Most people encounter the following side effects as a result of using tramadol in combination with alcohol:

After using tramadol, many patients observe that the effect of alcohol is amplified, even after consuming just a small amount. This compounded effect is why tramadol comes with a warning label indicating that those who are under the influence of alcohol should not use it until their body is clear of alcohol.

It is crucial to understand that both tramadol and alcohol can cause profound respiratory depression. This condition is life-threatening, and it is hallmarked by difficult, slow, and shallow breathing. In short, the combination of tramadol and alcohol can cause various health problems, some of which can be fatal.

Tramadol Overdose Symptoms

Drinking alcohol while on tramadol has been found to potentially be detrimental to one’s health, and even life-threatening. An overdose of tramadol is considered to be a medical emergency. If you or someone you know is experiencing the following symptoms, please call 911 immediately:

Recognizing tramadol overdose symptoms is vital in life-threatening situations. Any overdose in which respiration is impaired has the potential to cause death or produce irreversible brain damage. Brain damage may occur if oxygenated blood is unavailable for too long.

Alcohol Overdose Symptoms

An alcohol overdose, which is otherwise referred to as alcohol poisoning, may cause many of the same symptoms of an opioid overdose. These symptoms may include the following:

As with an opioid overdose, alcohol poisoning is usually life-threatening, and 911 should be contacted as soon as possible to avoid the worst complications. Keep in mind that if a person has used tramadol and alcohol, he or she could be overdosing on one or the other, or both. It is critical to know what substances he or she has used because opioid overdose treatment is different for that of alcohol poisoning.

Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person becomes physically dependent on a substance, they will inevitably encounter withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly stop using it. In severe cases of alcoholism, withdrawal can be extremely dangerous, and the person will experience seizures and psychosis—a condition known as delirium tremens. For this reason, a professional clinical detox is strongly recommended by most medical providers.

Although withdrawal from opioids such as tramadol is not typically life-threatening, it can be highly unpleasant and painful. Nausea, diarrhea and flu-like symptoms may onset and compel the person to relapse in order to avoid this process. Whether a person is addicted to alcohol, tramadol, or both, they should be supervised by medical personnel to ensure their safety and comfort during the detox phase.

Treatment for Tramadol and Alcohol

You may be reading this as a person who has been misusing tramadol and alcohol and is hoping to find help. Or, you may be a loved one who is concerned for the health and well-being of a friend or family member and are trying to determine what options are available for treatment.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers help and hope for those who are motivated to break free from the cycle of addiction and reclaim their lives. We accomplish this through the use of a comprehensive approach that includes evidence-based services that are clinically proven to increase the likelihood of a successful recovery, such as the following:

Contact us today to speak with a treatment specialist who can discuss your options with you or your loved one. We are dedicated to providing our clients with all the tools they need to succeed at recovery and enjoy the healthy, satisfying lives they deserve!

How Long Does Kratom Stay In Your System? – Kratom is a tropical plant known as Mitragyna speciosa, native to Southeast Asia. It can be identified in a person’s system as long as nine days, depending on the type of drug test conducted. For those struggling with kratom addiction, specialized treatment programs are available.

Kratom leaves have relatively mild psychotropic effects, and people can consume them as powder-filled capsules or as brewed in a tea.

A person may be concerned about kratom’s presence in their system for many reasons. For one, this drug can cause withdrawal symptoms, so those trying to stop using it may want to predict how long it will be until it is out of their system. Others may be worried about kratom detection on a forthcoming drug test.

Kratom is not usually included in a standard five-panel drug screen. However, some recently developed tests can identify the presence of kratom in a person’s system. Also, the metabolites of this drug can sometimes be flagged as a different substance.

As noted, the detection window for kratom can be up to nine days, depending on the typical frequency of dosage. Those that use excessive amounts of kratom will probably have evidence of the drug in their system longer than a person who uses kratom only occasionally.

Kratom Metabolization

The primary active ingredient in kratom is mitragynine. Once in the body, the liver breaks mitragynine down into other metabolites.

Kratom has a half-life of around 23 hours, meaning that, after the time, the body will have eliminated about half of the kratom dose. The other half remains in a person’s body for a bit longer.

The exact metabolization process of kratom is not clear, as most studies have been performed using animals. However, research demonstrates that the drug itself is not transferred through the body. Instead, it is broken down into byproducts during the process of metabolism.

Levels of mitragynine usually peak in the body after about 90 minutes after use. If a person consumes a relatively low dose of kratom, they may feel a stimulating effect comparable to caffeine.

If a person uses a higher dose, they will encounter more sedating opioid-like effects. These could include itchiness, nausea, or an overall sense of well-being.

Kratom can be found in a person’s system long after they no longer feel the drug’s effects. The duration of time that kratom can be identified in a person’s system depends on several factors, especially the type of test administered.

Urinalysis and Blood Testing

Urine tests can detect traces of mitragynine for up to nine days. Of note, a urinalysis is the most frequently used drug screening conducted by employers and the justice system.

Blood tests are rarer, but they do occur. They can identify traces of mitragynine in a person’s blood for several days.

Factors That Affect How Kratom Is Broken Down

As with most drugs, there are additional factors that influence how long a drug will remain in a person’s system. In addition to a person’s unique biology, the time that kratom remains in a person’s system is based on other individual factors such as age, weight, and diet.

• Age

Older people tend to encounter longer elimination times, mostly due to a slower rate of metabolism. The faster a person’s metabolism, the more rapidly their body will rid itself of toxins. For this reason, younger individuals may experience a shorter detection window.

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

Like marijuana, mitragynine is fat-soluble, meaning that it is stored in fatty tissues. As such, a person with a higher body fat concentration may retain kratom metabolites for a more prolonged period than those who are leaner.

• Diet

Using kratom on an empty stomach could lead to a shorter detection window, as opposed to using the drug with a meal high in fat. Moreover, a person’s level of hydration may also be a factor in detection time. The more water someone drinks, the more rapidly their body purges itself of traces of mitragynine.

Kratom Abuse and Addiction

Because large doses of kratom can induce opioid-like effects, this drug is considered to have the potential for abuse. In certain doses, kratom can result in intense feelings of calm and pleasure.

Tolerance is also possible, and a person may need to increase their dosage to continue experiencing the same effects. Increasing usage and tolerance can rapidly progress into dependence and addiction.

Kratom has been touted as a way to treat chronic pain or help people detox from the use of actual opioids by reducing withdrawal symptoms. This effect occurs because kratom binds to some of the same receptors in the brain as opioid painkillers. Unfortunately, it’s also been linked to dangerous side effects, abuse, and addiction.

Side effects of kratom may include the following:

Treatment for Kratom Addiction

If you or someone you care about is struggling with kratom abuse or addiction, please understand that this can be a serious condition and that professional treatment is available.

Harmony Treatment and Wellness offers integrated programs designed to meet the unique needs of our clients in both partial hospitalization and outpatient formats. Using evidence-based services, such as behavioral therapy, we provide medical care and support to those who are unable to quit abusing substances on their own.

Choosing where to go is an important step in your recovery. At Harmony Treatment and Wellness Center, we give you the tools you need to defeat your addiction and have an experience you’ll never forget.

If you’re ready for that day to be today, call us now: