Hi Mom,
I was addicted to Tramadol for 18 months, with 9+ months of daily abuse. I am still learning about it and am a Vet, having Rx'd it for my own patients. The short of it is, it IS addictive and do NOT believe ANYone telling you it is not.
I believe that you have an addiction if you revolve your days and thoughts about when your next dose is, if you get excited to take it, if you seek it out and start doing things you normally would not to get it, things like that.