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TRAMADOL: GHANA’S NOT SO SECRET OPIOID ADDICTION! | LANCESCURV


 

Negative Points and Side Effects of Tramadol Abuse:

  1. Physical dependence: Tramadol can lead to physical dependence, where the body requires increasingly higher doses to achieve the desired effects.
  2. Respiratory depression: High doses of tramadol can suppress breathing, leading to respiratory distress or even respiratory failure.
  3. Nausea and vomiting: Tramadol abuse commonly causes gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea and vomiting.
  4. Dizziness and drowsiness: Tramadol’s sedative effects can impair cognitive function and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
  5. Constipation: Tramadol abuse often results in severe constipation, which can lead to discomfort and gastrointestinal complications.
  6. Cognitive impairment: Prolonged tramadol abuse can impair memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function.
  7. Increased risk of seizures: Tramadol abuse is associated with an elevated risk of seizures, particularly at higher doses or in individuals with a history of seizures.
  8. Cardiovascular complications: Tramadol abuse may lead to changes in heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.
  9. Liver damage: Chronic tramadol abuse can damage the liver, leading to hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver failure.
  10. Kidney dysfunction: Tramadol abuse may impair kidney function, leading to renal failure or other kidney-related complications.
  11. Hormonal imbalances: Tramadol abuse can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to issues such as sexual dysfunction, infertility, or irregular menstrual cycles.
  12. Psychological effects: Tramadol abuse can exacerbate or trigger mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis.
  13. Tolerance: Continued tramadol abuse can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects, increasing the risk of overdose.
  14. Withdrawal symptoms: Abrupt cessation of tramadol can result in withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms.
  15. Overdose: Tramadol overdose can be life-threatening, causing respiratory depression, coma, or death.

Reasons for Tramadol Addiction Among Ghanaian Youth:

  1. Accessibility: Tramadol is readily available in Ghana through informal channels, making it easily accessible to youth without prescriptions.
  2. Economic hardship: High levels of unemployment and poverty drive some Ghanaian youth to seek escape or relief from their challenges through drug use, including tramadol.
  3. Peer influence: Peer pressure and social norms within youth communities may encourage tramadol use as a means of fitting in or seeking acceptance.
  4. Lack of awareness: Many Ghanaian youth may not fully understand the risks and consequences of tramadol abuse due to limited education and awareness campaigns.
  5. Coping mechanism: Tramadol’s sedative and euphoric effects provide an escape from the stress, trauma, or emotional pain experienced by some youth in Ghana.
  6. Cultural factors: Cultural attitudes towards substance use and mental health may contribute to the normalization of tramadol abuse among Ghanaian youth.
  7. Marketing tactics: Misleading advertising or promotion of tramadol as a harmless pain reliever may influence youth perceptions and encourage experimentation.
  8. Lack of regulation: Weak enforcement of drug control measures and inadequate regulation of pharmaceuticals contribute to the availability and misuse of tramadol in Ghana.
  9. An interviewee, a welder and sprayer, noted that “with the drug when you are working you feel no pain and you do not feel weak, you do not feel anything, you just feel ok”. These descriptions, contrary to some of the media discourses, cohere with other literature on drug use in Africa that suggest that many young people use drugs such as cannabis for “deadening the pain of difficult work or alleviating the boredom of repetitive activities”. In this sense, one of the main reasons why young Ghanaians use tramadol is to reduce physical pain connected to work.Many young people also explained that they used tramadol to ease non-physical pain. In these cases, the drug is used as a way of navigating the condition of youth itself or to help deal with life struggles such as the death of a parent, while others use it to feel a sense of hope or to deal with boredom. It is pain that is not necessarily bodily but emerges from social structures.

These factors highlight the complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental influences driving tramadol addiction among Ghanaian youth. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies that address both the root causes and consequences of substance abuse within the context of Ghana’s unique socio-cultural landscape.

Addressing the alarming trend of Tramadol abuse in Ghana is crucial given its significant impact on the youth population. Tramadol, an opioid pain medication, has been increasingly misused and abused across West Africa, including Ghana. Reports indicate a concerning surge in its consumption, particularly among young people, over the past several years, raising serious public health concerns.

Tramadol abuse in Ghana is not an isolated issue but is part of a larger global opioid crisis. The availability of tramadol, combined with socio-economic factors, has contributed to its widespread misuse. Tramadol is often easily accessible in Ghana through various channels, including illegal street markets and informal vendors, making it convenient for young people to obtain without a prescription. Additionally, the relatively low cost of tramadol compared to other drugs further exacerbates its abuse.

One significant aspect that requires attention is the structural explanations behind tramadol use by youth in Ghana. While individual factors such as peer pressure and curiosity may play a role, it’s essential to delve deeper into the societal and economic factors driving this phenomenon. High levels of unemployment and economic hardship push many young Ghanaians towards substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Tramadol, with its sedative and euphoric effects, becomes an appealing escape from the harsh realities of daily life for some individuals.

Moreover, inadequate regulation and oversight contribute to the proliferation of tramadol abuse. Weak enforcement of drug control measures and limited access to addiction treatment and rehabilitation services further compound the problem. The lack of awareness and education about the risks associated with tramadol misuse also perpetuates its rampant use among Ghanaian youth.

Efforts to combat tramadol abuse in Ghana must adopt a multi-faceted approach. This includes enhancing drug regulation and enforcement measures to curb illicit trafficking and distribution. Additionally, there is a pressing need for comprehensive public health campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tramadol abuse and promoting healthier coping mechanisms for stress and pain management. Investing in youth development programs, vocational training, and mental health support services can also address the underlying socio-economic factors driving substance abuse.

Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and international partners is essential to tackle the complex issue of tramadol abuse effectively. By addressing the structural determinants and implementing targeted interventions, Ghana can mitigate the adverse effects of tramadol misuse and safeguard the well-being of its youth population.

TRAMADOL: GHANA’S NOT SO SECRET OPIOID ADDICTION! | LANCESCURV

About The Author

LANCESCURV IS A SOCIAL MEDIA PROVOCATEUR | ILLUSTRATOR/CARTOONIST | PODCASTER | CULTURE CRITIC | DIGITAL NOMAD WHO FOCUSES ON THE INTRICACIES OF HUMAN NATURE, TRENDING NEWS & THOUGHT-PROVOKING TOPICS OF INTEREST. HE IS NYC BORN & RAISED, WHO HAS PERMANENTLY RELOCATED TO GHANA, NOW A PROUD GHANAIAN CITIZEN. RETIRED AND NOW A FULL TIME CONTENT CREATOR HAPPILY RECLUSIVE AND TUCKED AWAY IN THE SCENIC MOUNTAINS OF WEST AFRICA FAR AWAY FROM THE MADNESS OF AMERIKKKA.

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