Synthetic,
I used Tramadol for around six months after a nasty motorcycle accident resulting in multiple severe orthopaedic injuries followed by multiple operations. I was advised by the medics to use it as a 'on demand' pain killer in addition to a Paracetamol and Codeine pain killer.
I sometimes went for two or three days without taking it, other times taking it for a week solid. The docs always said something along the lines of 'if you feel you can do without it then do without it!'
I never had any problems other than it did sometimes make me drowsy almost to the extent of acting as a sleeping pill if taken at night. I never felt addicted/dependant as such, although there were times I would look forward to taking it, which maybe a tell tale sign of the start of dependancy. I didn't have any withdrawal problems when I stopped taking it.
Overall I would say that it was beneficial without any problems worth worrying about (just my personal experience).
All the best,
Sim