From what research I've done, you can become physically dependant on Tramadol, but you don't get the "high" or "rush" associated with opiods such as hydro or oxy. In fact, Tramadol will counteract any opiods taken within a certain time range. The percentage of cases where people have become dependant on Tramadol is so much lower than opiates and I don't see this drug being listed as a controlled substance in the near future. You have to seriously take large amounts of tramadol for an extended amount of time to become dependant. This is true of any medication. Medication in moderation is the key. I take 150mg of tramadol a day and know better than to stop "cold turkey".

Speaking of a drug that is difficult to get off of, Effexor is a nasty one. It's taken me 18 months to go from 450mg down to 150mg. Talk about nasty withdrawal side effects...