Gabapentin Addiction

Despite helping many people prevent or manage their seizures and neuralgia, Gabapentin is also a commonly misused medication. As it can be habit-forming, Gabapentin addiction is not an unusual occurrence. Like any other drug addiction, Gabapentin addiction leads to many changes in your life and can jeopardize your health and relationships. This issue should not be ignored. If you recognize any of the signs of dependence on gabapentin, such as withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using it, seek help from professionals at Bright Futures Treatment Center.

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant typically prescribed to treat epilepsy. It is also taken to treat nerve pain caused by different conditions, including diabetes and shingles or post-injury pain. Gabapentin mirrors the effects of GABA. GABA reduces the excitability of nerves in the brain, which play a role in seizures and the transmission of pain signals, calming excited neurons.

Gabapentin is approved for:

• Preventing and controlling partial seizures.
• Treating moderate to severe primary restless leg syndrome (a movement condition that causes a strong urge to move your legs when you’re resting).
• Relieving nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash caused by a reactivated virus that causes chickenpox) in adults.

When treating epilepsy, it works by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which stops seizures. When treating nerve pain, it works by blocking pain signals that travel through the brain and down the spine. Gabapentin is not an opioid, and it is not classified as a controlled substance in most states. Still, its use can bring about some risks.

Before starting your treatment with gabapentin, you should inform your healthcare provider if you have or had:

• Lung or breathing problems
• Diabetes
• Kidney problems or you are on dialysis
• Mood problems, depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior
• A history of drug or alcohol abuse

Additionally, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Use prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you are using.
• Have medicine allergies.

Gabapentin will help control your condition but will not cure it. It’s important to continue taking gabapentin even if you feel well, but consult your doctor if you are experiencing side effects.

Gabapentin Side Effects

Side effects of gabapentin use are rare and usually mild, typically going away by themselves. These side effects include:

• Feeling sleepy, tired, or dizzy
• Experiencing mood changes
• Feeling or being sick (nausea, vomiting)
• Diarrhea
• Swollen arms and legs
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Weight gain
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Getting more infections than usual

There are also serious side effects that very few people can experience. It’s important to seek medical attention if you  are experiencing any of these side effects:

• Mood and behavior changes: thoughts of harming or killing yourself
• Potential allergic reaction: a high temperature; swollen glands that do not go away; skin turning yellow, blue, grey, or pale; eyes turning yellow; lips and tongue turning blue, grey, or pale; unexpected muscle pain or weakness; fainting and can’t be woken up; rash
• Pancreas abnormalities: long-lasting stomach pain; feeling or being sick; unusual bruises or bleeding
• Kidney abnormalities: troubles urinating; blood in urine; weight gain and swelling of legs and feet from retaining fluid
• Hallucinations: seeing things that are not there

Finally, a serious long-term side effect of Gabapentin use is addiction to this medicine and, consequentially, addiction-related issues.

The Dangers of Mixing Gabapentin and Other Substances

Keep in mind that side effects might be worse if you’re taking Gabapentin with other medications or recreational drugs. The same goes for muscle relaxant or anxiety medication such as xanax. For instance, you should inform your doctor if you’re taking strong painkillers (like morphine), antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, or medicine that prevents malaria, called mefloquine. Even taking gabapentin with herbal remedies can be dangerous, as they can make you feel dizzy or drowsy, making side effects worse.

Gabapentin can intensify the highs of recreational drugs but also increase the chance of experiencing unpleasant side effects like anxiety, panic attacks, and memory loss. Sleepiness and dizziness can occur if you mix gabapentin and alcohol.

Is Gabapentin Addictive?

Gabapentin might not be one of the commonly abused prescription drugs, but it can be misused, resulting in gabapentin addiction and withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using it abruptly. Throughout its history, gabapentin has been considered to have low abuse potential. However, in recent years, there has been a rising number of people misusing gabapentin to boost their opioid highs. Users are reporting reinforcing effects like euphoria, a relaxing high similar to that of marijuana, a sense of calm, or increased social interactions. There are also reports of less positive effects, describing Gabapentin highs as being zombie-like. The real danger of gabapentin misuse lies in poly-drug use, situations in which gabapentin is taken with other medications like muscle relaxants, opioids, or anxiety medications. These combinations can produce a high.

You should not change your Gabapentin dose without consulting with the physician, even if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. You should always follow the instructions you’ll get and use gabapentin exactly as prescribed. Stopping gabapentin suddenly can be dangerous and increase the risk of seizures or nerve pain coming back. Experts advise you to stop using it gradually by reducing the dose you’re taking—a process known as tapering. Gradual reduction should result in not experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Instructions on reducing the dose should also come from your physician.

Withdrawal Symptoms From Gabapentin

Even those who take gabapentin as prescribed, but especially those who misuse it intentionally, can develop dependence rather than gabapentin addiction.  If you have developed physical dependence on gabapentin, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to come off it. These withdrawal symptoms can begin within 12 hours to 7 days after quitting the medication and last up to 10 days. They go through several stages, sometimes culminating in post-acute syndrome.

Early Withdrawal

The first stage of a gabapentin withdrawal timeline typically begins within 12 to 48 hours after the last dose, and withdrawal symptoms are usually mild. Still, monitoring them is needed, as they can potentially escalate. 

• Anxiety is a common symptom typically manifested as restlessness or nervousness.
• Insomnia or difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Nausea (a feeling of unease in the stomach), sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
• Sweating (increased perspiration), particularly at night.

Peak Withdrawal

This stage of the gabapentin withdrawal timeline usually occurs within 2 to 7 days after the last dose. This is when symptoms are most intense, making this stage particularly challenging. Medical supervision might be necessary for successful symptom management and prevention of potential complications.

• Severe anxiety and agitation, meaning feelings of extreme unease, irritability, and restlessness.
• Depression, or a significant drop in mood, frequently accompanied by feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Muscle pain, cramping, muscle discomfort, stiffness, and spasms.
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure. A heightened cardiovascular response may lead to palpitations or hypertension.
• Confusion and disorientation (difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or making decisions).

Late Withdrawal

Late withdrawal starts 1-2 weeks after the last dose. Withdrawal symptoms generally begin to subside. However, some people still experience lingering effects, like:

• Mood swings: Fluctuations in mood, ranging from irritability to periods of sadness.
• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness, even after a full night’s sleep.
• Mild anxiety: Feelings of nervousness or unease (less severe than during peak withdrawal).
• Physical discomfort: Lingering muscle pain or headaches.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

For some, the gabapentin withdrawal can continue for several weeks or even months after discontinuation. This is known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) and may include the following symptoms:

• Ongoing struggles with mood regulation (e.g., prolonged anxiety or depression).
• Challenges with memory, focus, or problem-solving.
• Continued sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns).

Each withdrawal stage has its challenges, making professional assistance crucial at some points. This is especially true for those who use gabapentin with other drugs and are potentially going through another withdrawal process, like alcohol or heroin withdrawal.

Can You Overdose on Gabapentin?

Yes, it is possible to overdose on gabapentin, and the lethal dose of gabapentin is 49 grams or more. Experts from drug rehab in Florida can name a couple of reasons for overdose to take place:

• Accidental ingestion: It can occur when the medication is not properly stored or is accessible to children. Forgetting you already took a gabapentin dose or accidentally taking more than prescribed can result in a gabapentin overdose.
• Misuse: It happens when gabapentin is used in combination with opioids or alcohol, increasing their effects and potential for harm. Gabapentin/alcohol mix is especially dangerous as it can result in respiratory depression.
• Overprescription: Off-label use for a variety of conditions, including pain and psychiatric disorders, can contribute to inadequate use and Gabapentin overdose.
• Intentional self-harm: Fortunately, this is not a frequent overdose reason, but there are cases of people intentionally overdosing on gabapentin.

There are two categories of gabapentin overdose symptoms: physical and psychological.

Physical symptoms of gabapentin overdose can include:

• Double vision
• Slurred speech
• Extreme drowsiness
• Significant muscle weakness
• State of lethargy
• Respiratory issues
• Gastrointestinal disturbances (like diarrhea)
• Worsening of existing conditions

Psychological symptoms of gabapentin overdose may be:

• Confusion and cognitive impairment
• Depression
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Hallucinations

If the person experiencing the overdose has collapsed, had a seizure, had struggles breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911. They will guide you on how to provide support. You should monitor the individual closely and strive to maintain their wakefulness and alertness. The only way to prevent gabapentin overdose is to strictly follow the instructions your doctor gave you for gabapentin use.

Get Help for Gabapentin Addiction

The safest way to stop using gabapentin is to taper off the medication under the supervision of a doctor and as a part of Florida prescription drugs addiction treatment. Furthermore, if you have developed physical dependence on the medicine, you might need medicine-assisted detox to overcome withdrawal symptoms, which, although only uncomfortable, can be severe and cause an array of physical and psychological changes, often difficult to manage.

What detox does is cleanse your body from gabapentin, ensuring a clean start to a rehab process that involves psychotherapy and support groups, leading you to long-term and sustainable results. Since gabapentin addiction and dependency are primarily physical, an outpatient program in Florida can provide sufficient support after detox. This program allows you to maintain your daily routine and offers flexibility regarding the treatments you need to receive. The situation could be somewhat more complicated if your gabapentin misuse were in conjunction with another drug or alcohol dependency, which requires a more complex and intense approach to treating your substance-related issues.

Still, you can count on continuous support from Bright Futures Treatment Center and our expert staff to guide you through this process of overcoming dependency on gabapentin and any related problems. 

Main Takeaway on Gabapentin Addiction

Independence on any medication can be daunting and overwhelming. While gabapentin addiction and dependency are not a severe problem, they can still cause many health issues and impact your behavior and relationships. You should live a life not controlled by the substances you take. Gabapentin should stay a medicine rather than a misused substance.

If you are struggling to keep your Gabapentin use under control or doubt that you have developed a physical dependency on it, call us. Bright Futures Treatment Center can support you in overcoming this life challenge.

Sources:

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/gabapentin/common-questions-about-gabapentin/

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694007.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21554310/Gabapentin addiction

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3404313/