tramadol in particular has very uncomfortable
withdrawal symptoms, including feeling like electricity is coursing through your nerves.
Withdrawal from most of the meds is unpleasant but not dangerous, except for valium or xanax-type medications, alcohol, or barbiturates-- all of which can have fatal withdrawal.
One thing to look into is Suboxone; it is an opiate partial agonist that is being used more and more for chronic pain.