What are Gabapentin Addiction Symptoms?

Addiction rates are reaching record levels in the United States, and opiate abuse have resulted in a public health emergency. Overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, making addiction more dangerous than ever. Gabapentin, a common medication used to treat seizures and opiate withdrawal symptoms, is becoming more widely abused. Gabapentin addiction symptoms can be just as dangerous as other substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates.

Abusing gabapentin can negatively impact your health, and gabapentin addiction symptoms can prevent you from meeting your personal obligations.

Gabapentin can be both psychically and psychologically addictive and worsen your mental health, change your personality, and lead to other detrimental consequences such as legal problems. Like other addictive substances, gabapentin can impact your brain chemistry and require treatment if you become addicted.

Do you need substance abuse treatment? Call us today at 866.605.0532.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant which can treat various medical conditions. It is classified as an anticonvulsant medication, but it works differently than other drugs in this class. Unlike other anticonvulsants, gabapentin does not seem to directly affect the brain’s neurotransmitters. Instead, it appears to work by changing the way the brain responds to nerve impulses.

Some of the therapeutic uses of gabapentin include:

• Seizure disorders, such as partial seizures
• Nerve pain, such as diabetic neuropathy
• Restless leg syndrome
• Hot flashes caused by conditions like menopause
• Symptoms caused by opiate withdrawal
• Anxiety disorders
• Tremors

Gabapentin is a relatively safe medication that has successfully helped patients dealing with specific mental health symptoms related to mood and anxiety disorders. Additionally, gabapentin is highly effective in treating neuropathic pain associated with conditions related to nerve damage.

Likewise, the gabapentin opioid is a front-line treatment for certain seizure disorders but is typically prescribed for off label uses. Some common off label uses for gabapentin include treating insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Unlike gabapentin, opioid-based medications release dopamine. While gabapentin works on your brain’s VDCC receptors, gabapentin can increase the effects of opiates.

What are Gabapentin Addiction Symptoms?

Gabapentin abuse and addiction are relatively rare, but both conditions can (and do) occur. People who abuse gabapentin may take higher doses than prescribed or take the medication more frequently than prescribed. They may also crush and snort the tablets or inject the liquid form of the drug to get a more intense high. Gabapentin abuse is most common in people who abuse other drugs, such as opioids. If you or someone you know is abusing gabapentin, it is important to get help as soon as possible.

Gabapentin addiction symptoms can include you needing to continually use more in order to get the same euphoric effects. Even when prescribed gabapentin, it is possible to become addicted. When using gabapentin, it interferes with your typical day-to-day life, such as you needing to take gabapentin in order to get through the day, it can be a sign to gabapentin addiction. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using.

Some common symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal include:

• Increased agitation
• Sweating
• Confusion and disorientation
• Nausea and digestive issues
• Delirium
• Seizures

Withdrawal symptoms can occur as soon as 12 hours after you stop using gabapentin and can last for more than seven days. In rare cases, you could experience seizures which require immediate medical intervention. Withdrawal can also make it difficult to stop using gabapentin without treatment and help.

Finding Help for Gabapentin Addiction 

If you or a loved one is demonstrating gabapentin addiction symptoms, it may be time to start exploring your treatment options. Gabapentin addiction can be difficult to overcome without professional help. Fortunately, there are resources available to those who need it. Reaching out for help for a substance abuse disorder can be challenging, but finding help can be the best way to begin your recovery.

Beaches Recovery, which boasts a successful opioid addiction treatment center, is here to help you overcome addiction. To learn more about which treatment program is best suited to your unique needs, call us today at 866.605.0532.