Say NO To Tramadol Abuse.

DRUG ABUSE IN GHANA: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS.

Obviously, one of the ill plaguing Ghana today is the misuse of drugs specifically "Tramadol" and other forms of substances which are either poorly regulated or banned for use in the country.
Like a strike of light to a petrol or a smoker puffing cigarette smoke in the sky, illegal use and abuse of drugs has engulfed our society so much that most of these young men and women are suffocating to death under it's intense canker.

It is in the light of this unfortunate situation that I'll carefully examine the menace, causes, effects of using the un-prescribed drugs and suggest ways to ameliorate it.

First and foremost, any substance (with the exception of food and water) which, when taken into the body, alters the body’s function either physically and/or psychologically. (Wikipedia 2018). Drugs may be legal (e.g. alcohol, caffeine and tobacco) or illegal (e.g. cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin).

For the crux of my discussions, tramadol abuse by the youth in recent times has become very important for national and for that matter international attention.

What is tramadol?

Tramadol (or "Tramol" as called locally) is oral tablet and a prescription drug that’s available as an immediate-release and extended-release tablet. Tramadol is a controlled substance. This means it can only be used with a doctor’s close supervision.

Why it's used?
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. This substances can be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

How it works
Tramadol belongs to a class of drugs called 'opioid agonists'. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. It works by changing how your brain senses pain. Tramadol is similar to substances in your brain called endorphins. Endorphins bind to receptors (parts of cells that receive a certain substance). The receptors then decrease the pain messages that your body sends to your brain. Tramadol works in a similar way to decrease the amount of pain your brain thinks you’re having. (https://www.healthline.com/health/tramadol-oral-tablet).

To be continued.......