Tramadol and Codeine Are Killing Dreams. Let's Discuss Before It’s Too Late

Let’s not pretend.

You probably know someone who’s used it. Maybe you’ve tried it yourself. Maybe you’ve watched someone change, slowly at first - then all at once. A friend who was sharp, focused, creative… until they started popping pills to stay “high.” Now you barely recognize them.

As if highness is something to be celebrated 😂

This isn’t some scary anti-drug campaign. This is just one Nigerian telling another: tramadol, codeine, and all these new addictions are eating people from the inside out - and nobody’s saying it loud enough.

So let’s talk about it.

My Observation On How Most Of It Starts

It usually starts with pressure.

Too much to do. Too much to carry. Too many nights without sleep. And then someone offers you a pill.

“Take this, you go strong.”

Or maybe it's curiosity and peer pressure. The music makes it sound cool. Some well known people support it in their lifestyle, All your friends already do it. And you think: “Just once, lemme just try it and see or I'm not that weak.”

Then “once” becomes “every weekend.” Then “just weekends” becomes “daily.” Then one pill isn’t enough.

You don dey go be that 😂

What Makes It So Easy to Fall Into This Vice?

In Nigeria, nobody checks. Codeine is everywhere. Tramadol is cheap. Sellers don’t ask questions. Even pharmacies are in on it sometimes. You can walk in normal, walk out high, and nobody blinks.

And because it doesn’t look like “real drugs,” it gets a pass. No crack pipes. No injecting veins. Just a soft drink bottle and a few pills. You’ll even see someone down two 500mg tablets, then head to church like it’s nothing.

That’s the scary part. 😂

But It’s Beyond The Physical, The Effects are more Mental

People think addiction is only about the body, - like once you satisfy that craving or stop shaking if you're already getting hooked, you’re fine, so take some everyday to keep the mood.

But this thing messes with your mind. Your mood changes. Your memory drops. You start losing time. You forget small things - then important things. You zone out in conversations. You lose ambition. You stop caring. About yourself. About your goals. About life.

That’s how dreams die: not in one implosion or explosion, but in quiet, slowly fading away.

If You’re Struggling With These Substances, Hear Me Out On This

You are not weak for getting hooked.

Life in Nigeria is hard. And sometimes you just want an escape -- even if it’s temporary. But please listen to this:

You are not made for temporary highs.

You are made for real joy.

For lasting peace.

For clear thinking.

For building.

For becoming something solid.

And I know it’s not easy to stop. But you can start somewhere.

This Is What You Should Do

Talk to someone. A real person. Not the internet. Not your dealer. A human being who wants better for you, maybe your parents even, or send us an email.

Don’t detox alone. If you’re deep in it, get help. There are NGOs and clinics that deal with this quietly.

Stay away from triggers that calls out that weakness. You can’t quit pills when your best friend is offering one. Take space. It’s not selfish, it’s Wisdom and survival.

Be patient with yourself. Withdrawal is messy. You’ll feel off. You’ll want to give up. But every day clean is a win.

If You’re Clean, Please Stay That Way

Firstly, You've did well and if you came you to strengthen your resolve or make a decision? You know the right thing to do now!

You're on the right track, keep walking clean and lastly;

Don’t get comfortable when you see others struggling because “it’s not your struggle.” When you see someone falling, don’t laugh. Don’t mock. Help them stand, even if it’s with just a word.

Because one small nudge can save a future.

Don't forget most of this was Just Life's Pressure, Challenges, Social Proof and Curiosity or Environmental sometimes.