Tramadol addiction: honest help if you’re worried about your tramadol use

Tramadol is an opioid painkiller, prescribed for moderate to severe pain. For many people it does exactly what it should. For others, the pain eases but the tablets don’t, and a few weeks becomes months. The NHS says it’s possible to become addicted to tramadol, and that your body can get used to it over time, so you need more for the same relief.

If you’re worried about how you’re taking it, that worry is worth listening to. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It means it’s a good time to talk to someone, and there’s free, confidential help for exactly this.

Signs tramadol has become a problem

The NHS describes these signs of tolerance and addiction:

• Finding it difficult to stop taking it
• Feeling you need to take it more often than necessary
• Gradually needing higher doses to control your pain
• Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, shaking, sweating, body aches or restlessness when you go without
• Taking it to cope with your mood or your day, not just your pain

Getting extra from friends or online, or running out early, are also signs it’s time to talk to your GP.

Where to get help in the UK

• Your GP or prescriber. The NHS says to talk to your doctor if you’re worried about addiction, need help with it or want to stop taking tramadol. They can review your pain and plan any change safely.
• Your pharmacist. Free, confidential advice about side effects and how tramadol mixes with your other medicines.
• FRANK. Confidential advice 24 hours a day on 0300 123 6600, or text 82111.
• Local drug services. If you’re getting tramadol outside a prescription, or using other drugs too, local services are free and you can contact one yourself. Find support near you
• Support groups. Narcotics Anonymous (helpline 0300 999 1212, 10am to midnight) and SMART Recovery run free meetings in person and online.
• For family and friends. Addiction Family Support offers a helpline for families on 0300 888 3853, and Adfam has practical advice.

Where hypnotherapy fits

Hypnotherapy is not a treatment for tramadol addiction, and I don’t offer it as one. Your GP, prescriber or pharmacist needs to be part of any change to how you take it, and I will never tell you to stop or cut down a medicine.

Where I can help is alongside that care. Living with pain is stressful, and tramadol can end up helping with the stress, the low mood and the sleepless nights as much as the pain itself. Sessions can help with those, and with relaxation and the habits around taking tablets. It doesn’t replace your pain treatment, and the effort is still yours, but sessions can make new habits easier to settle into.

Before we work together I’ll ask whether you’re getting support from your GP or prescriber. If I think you need that first, I’ll tell you honestly.

Things that can help day to day

• Speak to your GP, prescriber or pharmacist before you change how you take it. That includes stopping, cutting down or taking anything new alongside it.
• Be honest at your medication review. Tell your GP how often you’re really taking it and why. They’ve heard it before, and it helps them help you.
• Avoid alcohol. The NHS says drinking with tramadol can make you sleepier and increase the risk of serious side effects.
• Don’t drive if it makes you sleepy or dizzy. The NHS also advises against riding a bike or using tools or machinery.
• Look after your mood. If anxiety or low mood is part of it, you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies in England.

Taking codeine or benzodiazepines with tramadol adds to the risks. My pages on codeine and benzodiazepines explain why, and heroin and opioids covers overdose risks in more detail.

Common questions

Is tramadol addictive?

It can be. The NHS says it’s possible to become addicted to tramadol, and that if you take it for a long time your body can get used to it, so you gradually need higher doses to control your pain. Your dose should be reviewed to make sure you’re only taking what you need.

Can tramadol cause seizures?

Yes. The NHS lists a seizure or fit as a serious side effect that needs 999 or A and E straight away. It also says tramadol may not be suitable if you have a condition that causes seizures, so make sure your prescriber knows if you’ve ever had one.

Can hypnotherapy help with tramadol addiction?

Not on its own, and I won’t pretend otherwise. It can help alongside your GP or prescriber with stress, sleep and the habits around taking tablets. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

Is it confidential?

Yes. What you tell me stays between us. As with any therapist, the only exception is if I believed you or someone else were at serious risk of harm.

I’m worried about someone else’s tramadol use. What can I do?

Encourage them to talk to their GP or pharmacist, and not to stop suddenly. Adfam and Addiction Family Support are there for you too. It has to be their decision, but there is support for you too.

Talk it through

If you’re already getting support and want help alongside it, book a £49 consultation call. We’ll talk about whether sessions would help with what you’re already doing.

Written by Adam Cox, clinical hypnotherapist. This page does not give dosing advice. Sources: NHS, tramadol, including its pages on side effects and common questions; GOV.UK, opioid medicines and the risk of addiction. Checked October 2026.