Abstract: Objective To find out about the behavioral characteristics of abusers/users of compound tramadol in compulsory isolated treatment centers in China in order to provide data for effective management of compound tramadol. Methods A descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the basis of a self-designed questionnaire distributed among abusers/users of compound tramadol in compulsory isolated treatment centers. Results The abusers/users of compound tramadol were mostly over 30 years old, male, poorly-educated below the level of junior high school or unemployed. More than half of the abusers/users of compound tramadol believed that compound tramadol was easily available. Those who abused/used compound tramadol solely due to easy availability accounted for 25.56% of the total with retail pharmacies as the main source. Conclusion The lack of regulation and easy availability are largely responsible for abuse/use of compound tramadol. It is suggested that compound tramadol should be enlisted in the national catalogue of class II psychotropic drugs. Meanwhile, we should strengthen the supervision of its sales and use, establish a drug traceability system, and improve the monitoring and evaluation system.

Key words: compound tramadol, drug abuse, questionnaire survey, descriptive analysis, epidemiological investigation