There is some evidence which suggests that the use of Irish stick weapons may have evolved in a progression from a reliance on long spears and wattles, to shorter spears and wattles, to the shillelagh, alpeen, blackthorn (walking-stick) and short cudgel.
Moreover, most of the associated drugs fatalities including tramadol have been reported with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, particularly benzodiazepine [9], [10], [11], [13] and [14]. In certain cases, benzodiazepine levels were in the therapeutic range or slightly higher.
Tramadol is not an opiate as it is not derived from the poppy plant. None the less, tramadol acts on the same receptor sites in the brain as opioid medications and also has antidepressant properties. As a narcotic-like drug, it can be addictive and if stopped abruptly after taking regularly for a period of time, the user will experience withdrawals.