The high from ultram is pretty different than codeine. Tramadol lasts significantly longer, is less sedating, less itching, and doesnt usually have all that annoying tylenol. With stupid 8mg codeine pills, it would take a handfull to get high, with ultram its only a small handfull. I believe tramadol doesnt really affect the kappa and sigma receptors, and only has a slight affinity to the mu (aka the good one), which may possibly explain its low body load.
As I already mentioned, the spasms can be controlled with antispasmodics like soma/depakote etc. This allows one to creep into the high dosage range, which can evolve into a full blown opiod experience.
In mexico (tijuana and rosarito), I saw hydrocodone being sold at 3-6 dollars per (5mg) pill, which is obviously absurd. Oxycontin at $20 for a 20mg was also unappealing. The ultram was being sold at around $30 a bottle, containing 50 pills at 50mg each.