🩺 What is Tapentadol?

Tapentadol is a prescription opioid analgesic used to treat severe pain, often prescribed post-surgery, for nerve pain, or in cancer settings. It’s sold under names like Tapal, Aspadol, or Palexia. When used appropriately, it helps—but when abused, it harms.

🚨 How is it Abused in Chennai?

In many parts of Chennai, especially among the younger population and in urban slums, Tapentadol misuse has quietly escalated.

• 🧪 Tablets are crushed, mixed in saline (NS) or distilled water, and injected intravenously.

• 📦 Some users buy it online or through unregulated medical shops that sell it without proper prescriptions.

• 🧑‍⚕️ Chemists may not report suspicious purchases, especially when users present with fake prescriptions or frequent repeat buys.

“It’s not ganja or brown sugar anymore. Many of my patients are injecting Tapentadol, sometimes 3–4 times a day,” says a deaddiction specialist from South Chennai.

⚠️ Why Is It So Dangerous?

Tapentadol may not yet have the notoriety of heroin or fentanyl, but its dangers are real:

🧠 Neurological and Psychological Risks

• Euphoria → Dependency → Cravings

• Poor impulse control

• Memory lapses

• Depression or psychosis during withdrawal

💉 Physical Health Risks (Especially IV Use)

• Vein damage and abscesses

• Blood-borne infections like Hepatitis B, C, and HIV

• Risk of overdose or seizures with high doses

🚩 Signs of Addiction to Watch Out For

Whether in teens or adults, watch for:

• Needle marks on arms or legs

• Withdrawal symptoms (chills, body pain, restlessness)

• Lying about use or stealing money

• Social withdrawal, irritability

• Frequent “doctor shopping”

🧭 How Do We Treat It?

At our deaddiction clinics in Chennai, we use a stepwise and compassionate approach:

1. Detailed assessment – psychological and physical

2. Medically assisted detox – for safe withdrawal

3. Psychotherapy – CBT and motivational enhancement

4. Long-term relapse prevention – coping skills, lifestyle changes

5. Support for families – because addiction affects the whole home

📍 Real Help. Real Recovery.

Chennai doesn’t talk about Tapentadol as loudly as it should. But we’re seeing it destroy education, jobs, families, and lives—quietly, insidiously.

💬 Let’s Talk Before It’s Too Late

If you or someone you care about is misusing Tapentadol or other opioids—don’t wait.

📌 Free consultations this month at:

🔹 Apollo Clinic, Velachery & Tambaram
🔹 Phone: 8595155808
🔹 Web: www.srinivasaiims.com

You’re not alone. You’re not broken. You can recover.

#SayNoToInjectionMisuse #TapentadolAwareness #ChennaiDeaddiction #HopeAndHealing