Ultram (Tramadol/ Opiod) Addiction

I have a step-daughter who is addicted to Ultram (Tramadol). She is currently in rehab, however, I am relatively certain that she is still using. She just had another seizure yesterday and I am also aware of the fact that she has no history of seizure without this particular drug. I am wondering if anyone can tell me anything at all about this addiction - including what I can look for as a sign that she is still using or is, in fact clean. I would also like to know how long this drug stays in your system and if it typically can show up on a drug screen. Because she is in rehab, when she had the seizure yesterday, they made her go to the hospital. They did blood tests but I am 100% sure that even if something shows she won't tell me. Also, at the rehab they randomly take urine samples to test... would this particular drug show up on this test? I have quite a bit of trouble convincing my husband that she is not clean and it would be nice to have some facts to back me up, especially considering that the safety of a 10 month old child is dependent on this person. Of course I hope she is clean, but I also am not willing to put a child in danger simply because I WANT this person to get better. She has shown herself to be incapable of caring for a child and I want to convince my husband that something needs to be done for the baby. Any advice would help me immensely.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

t his is a serious addiction, and yes it can be detected in both the blood and the urine. Seizure is definetly one of the serious side effects,and is a strong indication of use at a higher than normal level.   I don't know how you can prove this to your husband unless you have access to her medical report.

[drmtj]

It really sounds like a really HUGE problem, my suggestion to you is to remove the children from the household, and go from there, there are Law Enforcement Agencies that are more than willing to help to get these children to safety, my only concern is " Is it REALLY HAPPENING? " and just get your findings and facts straight before you do something about this, it could be embarissing to you if you dont, and remember "DO NOT GO ON A HUNCH", have your proof ready sooo you "DO NOT LOOK LIKE A FOOL"...drmtj

[misinfrmdpatient]

My dr prescribed tramadol for me because I have endometriosis (which is very painful for me sometimes) and took it as prescribed and found my body became dependent on it. I have started to taper down my meds and dosing.  When I realized my body had become dependent on this med, it FREAKED ME OUT! So I started doing some research on this an what has stopped me from quitting cold turkey, is the fact that I could start having seizures as well as cardiac arrest (because another withdrawal is sneezing and runny nose an when u sneeze ur heart stops, so if u sneeze repeatedly u can have a heart attack). If she is still in rehab, then they are testing her for use of this particular drug.  I work at a lab so I also know if they do test her for this an it does show in her system, they can tell how much is in her system.  They may keep her longer because she is hindering the healing process as well as some sort of punishment for usin in the facility, I also know when in rehab, u get tested on a regular basis.  The only outward sign you may see in her if she is using again after she returns is either mood swings and/or she has way more energy, upbeat, happier and/or talkative. This is what I've noticed from my experience anyway. I hope this helps, and I hope ur family gets thru this safely!