Why is gabapentin addictive

Many Neurontin abusers even say the effects are similar to those of marijuana. People who have had previous substance abuse problems with alcohol, opioids, cocaine , and other drugs also tend to abuse gabapentin.

In fact, it is much more likely. According to the medical journal, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, the rate of gabapentin misuse among the general population was only 1.

Although the first report of gabapentin took place in , the FDA reports that in recent years, law enforcement has encountered it more regularly, it has been documented in national crime lab reports, reported to poison control centers, and diverted for illegal use.

Reports from law enforcement also indicate that it is being used as a cutting agent in heroin. If you think a loved one is addicted to Neurontin or is abusing it for recreational purposes, he or she may display some of the following signs and symptoms of gabapentin abuse :. Despite its low addictive potential, gabapentin can cause withdrawal symptoms if it is abused.

A person may become tolerant and when they stop using it, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common gabapentin withdrawal symptoms are:. If a person is dependent on gabapentin or addicted to it, he or she may need help quitting. Due to the potentially serious gabapentin withdrawal symptoms, a medical detox program may be the safest and most effective way to detox from gabapentin and any other drug s that the person has abused simultaneously. Since gabapentin abusers often use other drugs to enhance the effects of gabapentin, detox and withdrawal may produce unpredictable effects.

Gabapentin detox can also reduce the likelihood of relapse and overdose. It is difficult to anticipate what the timeline for gabapentin withdrawal will look like because it will vary greatly depending on several different factors, such as:.

Since most Neurontin abusers use other drugs to enhance its effects and achieve a recreational high, people addicted to gabapentin will most likely be addicted to other substances like opioids or cocaine.

Therefore, treatment for gabapentin addiction should address polydrug abuse as well as the physical, mental, and social effects that come with it. After completing gabapentin detox, continuing your addiction treatment by enrolling in a rehab program is an essential part of maintaining your sobriety and preventing relapse.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, long-term addiction treatment of at least 90 days is most effective for people who want to sustain their sobriety for good.

Anything less is of limited effectiveness. The cost of inpatient or outpatient drug rehab will vary based on the type of gabapentin treatment program, the location of the rehab center, the amenities, and the services offered. However, clients have several different payment options to pay for drug rehab , including:. Overcoming any addiction, not just Neurontin addiction, will take continuous work and effort.

Two common types of continuing care programs for people in recovery are sober living programs and aftercare programs. To answer that question requires putting gabapentin in perspective as a pharmaceutical drug that, while providing relief to thousands of people for nerve pain, also has the potential for abuse.

In , gabapentin was the 10 th most prescribed drug in the United States, with 64 million prescriptions written that year [1]. In that particular article, researchers analyzed data from a study of drug users in Kentucky who reported using gabapentin for non-medical purposes.

Their findings? Participants reported use of gabapentin in combination with buprenorphine, other opioids, cocaine , and caffeine to produce sought-after central nervous system effects e. Gabapentin, such studies reveal, can be problematic. Whether used in conjunction with other drugs or on its own, it can be abused, which makes it a substance of concern.

To understand the signs someone is addicted to gabapentin, however, requires some knowledge of what it is, where it comes from, how it works and how it can be addictive. It was originally used as a muscle relaxer and anti-spasmodic medication, but later, it was discovered the potential of the medication as anticonvulsive medication and as an adjunct to stronger anticonvulsants. With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings.

Gabapentin, also known by the brand name Neurontin, is a prescription Painkiller belonging to its own drug class, Gabapentinoids. It is considered an anticonvulsant, and is most commonly used to treat epilepsy, restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, and neuropathic pain.

It is often used as a less addictive alternative to Opioids ; however, Gabapentin addiction and abuse still occur in many patients. It can produce feelings of relaxation and calmness, which can help with nerve pain, anxiety, and even poor sleep. Gabapentin is prescribed to treat nerve pain, alcohol and Cocaine withdrawals, restless leg syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and seizures. Some brand names of Gabapentin are Neurontin and Gralise. It can also cause elevated blood pressure, fever, sleep problems, appetite changes, and chest pain.

Dana Point, CA. View Center. Galloway, NJ. Gabapentin abuse tends to occur in people who already have an addiction to Opioids or other drugs. The effects of Gabapentin intoxication have been described as a sense of calm, euphoria, and a high similar to Marijuana.

Another study, working with a sample of participants meant to represent the national population, found almost a quarter of patients with co-prescriptions of Opioids and Gabapentin were getting more than 3 times their prescribed amount to supply their addiction. People using the drug without a prescription is a growing problem in many areas.

States where Gabapentin abuse is becoming more common are beginning to classify the drug as a more strictly controlled substance. In May of , GoodRx reported that it was the fifth-most prescribed drug in the nation. Despite its low abuse potential, its ability to be used in conjunction with other drugs causes widespread harm and addiction. It is important to try to recognize these symptoms and to be wary of other red flags, such as the presence of an abundance of pill bottles.

Many Gabapentin users in early recovery abuse Gabapentin because, at high doses mg or more , they may experience a euphoric-like high that does not show up on drug screens.

Gabapentin abusers typically take the drug in addition to Opioids to produce their desired high, a dangerous and potentially deadly combination. It is possible to fatally overdose on Gabapentin, both on its own or in conjunction with other drugs. However, there is currently no antidote that can be administered to someone in the case of a Gabapentin overdose as there is with Opioid overdoses. If you find a loved one showing signs of an overdose—drowsiness, muscle weakness, lethargy and drooping eyelids, diarrhea, and sedation—seek medical attention immediately.