Quote:Tramadol is a non-narcotic. It is non opioid. I know this because I am taking it. I am in the process of detoxing from Oxycontin and do understand how the narcotic pain pills can get so addictive. I describe the detox from it as "the flu on steroids with a bit of schizophrenia mixed in"   Everyone here knows that I am a frequent flyer in the operating rooms of Jacksonville, so I have become somewhat of an expert on pain killers and detoxing. I have been  on Oxycontin and Fentanyl patches for months now as part of my cancer treatment. I am only detoxing to pass a drug test to return to work. That may not even happen because I may go back under the knife again soon for my shoulder. It was reconstructed earlier this year, but something is very wrong with it. If so, I'm right back on the pain meds. I likely will be anyhow.

 

I do wish there were alternatives to them, but sometimes they're just a part of life, and a necessity of pain management for those who are suffering medically.

 

Edit: to add, I wholeheartedly agree with you that there is no difference than heroin. Because there is not. All opioid pain killers are based upon a synthetic form of heroin. That's why they're so hard to get off of.