Tramadol is not an opiate. I've been taking it for many years for chronic neuropathy. I take Gabapentin along with it. I take 2 Tramadol 3 times daily. This hasn't varied for 4 years now. It does the job, without me fretting over it or taking more. Same times every day. I do not get high. It is treated as an opiate, because it supposedly mimics the effect. Are you nuts? If I take a tiny Xanax, I'm asleep for 20 hours! If I take a Percoset, you are damn right I'd get hooked on those! Mighty fine feeling. No pain, and everything is rosy. THAT is an opiate!