I believe Tramadol has addictive potential. I used to see patients forge Rxs for it, and consume huge amounts. But it is not a controlled substance by the FDA.

It IS difficult to come off, esp high doses, for long periods of time.
One should taper down when this happens, when you need to discontinue.

We are finding that all drugs that sit on neurotransmitter receptors do this. The body notices that the sites are filled and makes more receptors so pain can be felt again. This is some survival mechanism. Opiates do this, and since tramadol sits on mu receptors it does too. Tramadol also affects serotonin receptors to some extent too. SSRI drugs also do this to receptors, and require tapers. Even things like Neurontin/Lyrica an require tapers. The age of neurotransmitter manipulation is still new with Big Pharma...and unfortunately many patients have suffered because of this factor.

This is why I reserve it for occasional use for myself. I've seen the the Good, Bad and the Ugly of this drug. But for nerve pain, I think it is better than opiates overall.

I use topical agents, Lidoderm, or Salonpas, magnets, for much of my foot pain, and only use the Tramadol when more than my feet are awful (severe weather changes, and overuse issues, mostly).

It is each person's decision on how to deal with this factor. Some use it well, for long periods, and others may become habituated to it or need ever increasing doses.