Tramadol and pregabalin: the silent recreational use raising concern in Spain

Tramadol and pregabalin: the recreational use of two drugs nobody is watching

Tramadol, a synthetic opioid, and pregabalin, an antiepileptic, have become substances of abuse in certain circles. Although they are approved for neuropathic and chronic pain, their recreational potential is increasingly discussed on anonymous forums. A 150 mg dose of tramadol can produce a mild MDMA-like effect, according to some testimonies, while pregabalin, known as Lyrica, causes an intoxication comparable to several beers, with a sense of well-being and disinhibition. In Spain, prescriptions for these drugs are high, but the phenomenon of getting 'dronjado' (high) on them goes unnoticed by the health authorities.

The user profile: from chronic pain to recreation

Some of those who take tramadol or pregabalin do so on medical prescription for conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain or fibromyalgia. However, some discover that, at higher doses, the analgesic sensation turns into mild euphoria, greater sociability and an energy rush. One testimony describes how tramadol allows him to work for hours without getting tired and even drive at night, although he admits he only uses it for unbearable pain. Another account tells of a 100 mg dose combined with hierba producing a pleasant sensation. But there are also those who tried it for back pain and spent two days unable to get up, swearing never to take it again.

Side effects and ignored risks

The side effects are varied and, in many cases, severe. Tramadol causes vomiting, diarrhoea and severe constipation, dry mouth, weight loss and, in the long term, dependence. One user who took it for two weeks after an operation described the withdrawal syndrome as hellish: a month unable to sleep more than two hours at a stretch. Pregabalin, for its part, causes vague hallucinations, severe memory failures and dizziness. At doses of 300 mg, the dizziness forces you into bed. In the United Kingdom it is nicknamed the 'six pack' because it intoxicates like several beers. In Spain, where it is prescribed to a large part of the population, this effect is hardly ever mentioned.

The debate over how dangerous it is: a comparison with fentanyl?

In this crossroads of experiences, some warn that tramadol is an opioid and can lead to addiction. The phrase that keeps coming up: 'it is not at all advisable to take it if you don't want to end up begging for fentanyl'. Others compare it directly to synthetic heroin. However, there are also voices that qualify this: at low doses and under medical supervision, pregabalin does its job for neuropathic pain. The real problem, according to many, is that the ease of obtaining these drugs on prescription and the lack of awareness of their addictive potential create a breeding ground for misuse.

An underground phenomenon that deserves attention

Beyond the anecdotes, the recreational use of tramadol and pregabalin raises a public health issue that official statistics fail to capture. There are no prevention campaigns, no early warnings. Those who take them for pleasure do so in secret, often combining them with other substances such as hierba or ketamine, multiplying the risks. While the health system prescribes these drugs to hundreds of thousands of patients, a minority diverts them to recreational use that, for now, is discussed in the shadows of the internet.

The startling fact: one testimony claims that, after stopping pregabalin, he suffered insomnia for an entire month. The dependence is real, even though hardly anyone talks about it.