Ultracet is a drug that is a combination of Tramadol (or Ultram) and acetaminophen that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol is a type of narcotic-like substance that is the synthetic version of codeine and is meant to have a lower chance for addiction than other opiates. Ultracet binds to pain receptors in the body and decreases the person’s awareness of the pain they feel. This can also lead to euphoria which can create an addiction to Ultracet pills.
Risks of Ultracet Addiction and Dependence
Taking Ultracet as prescribed by a doctor will lower the chances of misuse and addiction, but it can still happen. People who take this drug, with or without a prescription, can develop a tolerance and become dependent. Once dependence has happened and tolerance has built, the recommended dosage will no longer be enough to produce the same effect it was had. This very often results in larger doses being taken to achieve the feeling of euphoria that is craved. Once an addiction has formed, the person will experience strong cravings for Ultracet due to the chemical imbalance in the body that opiates cause.
Ultracet Addiction: Signs and Symptoms
Any opiate medication poses a risk for addiction, but this drug can be generally classified as less addictive than other opiates available such as Fentanyl or Hydrocodone, which are much stronger and create a much more desirable high that people seek out. The reason any opiate drug is a risk for addiction, whether it is Ultracet or Fentanyl, is the way that the drug reacts to the opioid receptors in the brain. They not only block out the pain you are feeling, but they also increase pleasure and produce a mellow and euphoric high. When a person is taking Ultracet recreationally and becomes addicted physically and mentally, they will start to have negative experiences in their life and their health. These effects include:
- Mental obsession with the drug
- Intense and sometimes overwhelming cravings
- Doctor shopping (going to multiple doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions)
- Other drug-seeking behaviors such as stealing
- Changes in mood and personality
- Isolation and distance from friends and family
- Inability to stop using
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Suicidal thoughts
The ingredient Tramadol in Ultracet is a central nervous system depressant. This means it slows down the heart and lung function. For people who take larger doses of Ultracet than they should, they can even stop breathing altogether and may have a fatal overdose. Overdose of this drug does have symptoms that you should look out for as death from an overdose can be avoided. They include things like unconsciousness, coma, seizures, respiratory depression, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, sweating, and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and weak muscles. Other than an overdose, the effects of this drug are most noticeable when a person is withdrawing from it. Like other opioids and opiates, Ultracet withdrawal often looks like having the flu and includes some pretty uncomfortable symptoms. The symptoms are so unpleasant that many people will go back to using simply because they do not want to feel like symptoms of withdrawal. This makes getting clean from Ultracet on your own very difficult. The best way to come off of Ultracet is with a medically assisted detox where you will be under the supervision of doctors, nurses, and staff to ensure your safety and provide as much comfort as possible during this difficult time.
Professional Help for Ultracet Abuse
If addiction is left untreated, the chances of fatality continuously increase, as it is only a matter of time. Rehabilitation will be needed to treat opiate addiction as well as a combination of counseling and prescribed medication. If you or someone you love has been struggling with opiate addiction, please feel free to give us a call today. Getting the help you need isn’t always easy, but it is worth it. Let Evoke Wellness at Cohasset help you along the way.
