Family Life Experiences and the Abusive Consumption of Tramadol by Adolescents

There are increasing worries in many countries worldwide especially in Cameroon as concern the abusive consumption of tramadol and its addictive effects. Experiences within the family have a major influence on the wellbeing of its members, be it child, adolescent or adult. This is what spurred us to question other factors which have harmful effects on those abusing tramadol. This article aims to find how adolescents who have the necessary requirements for an adapted development seek satisfaction in abusive tramadol consumption. The objective was to understand the meaning adolescents who abusively consumes tramadol associate to their family life experiences and also bring out practical information on how adolescent’s emotional needs are met. We conducted a clinical study on three adolescents who abusively consume tramadol at the Psychiatric unit of Jamot Hospital Yaounde. Data was collected using semi- structured interview guide. Data collected was analyzed using thematic content and sequential analysis. The results were interpreted mainly based on the attachment theory which has shown that family life experiences are the association and negative interpretations of events experienced by these adolescents. These experiences have engendered a lacking state which the adolescents try to overcome by abusively consuming tramadol. Finding also indicated that family life experiences lead to the difficulties in managing negative counter-transference reactions which interferes with their ability to provide secured based. Perspectives for this research highlighted the lack of research exploring the rate of tramadol abusive consumption in the rural area and the end comparing their prevalence rates.