What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is an orally ingested medication that comes in a pill or capsule form. The generic name for this drug is gabapentin, but it is also known as Neurontin. This particular medication is used for various treatments for a wide range of conditions.
This medication is an inhibitory neurotransmitter intended to decrease activity in the neurons of the brain. It’s considered an analog to GABA or gamma amino-butyric acid. It’s able to suppress neuronal firing and provides the ability to synchronize actions of the central nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal column.
Legality
Though gabapentin has pain-decreasing qualities, the DEA or Drug Enforcement Agency didn’t consider it controlled. It’s worth mentioning, however, that gabapentin creates dependency in the user, and prescriptions are easy to obtain and be given freely to patients who may benefit. This is one reason it is so easy to obtain on the street. Those with prescriptions often sell their medication because they can get refills easily.
Dangers and Potential Side Effects
There are various dangers involved with Gabapentin use. Side effects pose specific dangers to users who have pre-existing conditions, allergies, or mixed substances while taking gabapentin. One of the most noticeable effects of taking gabapentin is dizziness and loss of coordination.
This means that there’s a high risk of falling or problems operating machinery or other devices. When taking gabapentin, users shouldn’t use a vehicle or other mode of transportation. Blurry visions are also another side effect that makes it difficult to navigate surroundings.
The active ingredient in gabapentin might not cause an allergic reaction, but sometimes the inactive ingredients might. Know what allergies you have, and never take gabapentin if you have a potential allergy to any of the ingredients. Some allergic reactions cause life-threading conditions such as anaphylaxis. Some other signs of an allergic reaction can induce the following.
- Rashes
- Hives
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen throat
- Itching
Sometimes gabapentin is also used to treat bipolar disorder and other psychological conditions; however, the side effects from using this drug with a prescription include depression and even suicidal thoughts. When taking this medication, it’s crucial to monitor how it makes the user feel and immediately report any of these symptoms.
It’s not recommended to take gabapentin with conditions such as kidney disease, breathing problems, depression, or dependence on drugs and alcohol. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid taking gabapentin because it can pass into breast milk and the placenta.
Gabapentin for Medical Use
Most commonly, gabapentin is used to treat pain from neuropathy. Some common uses for treatment include shingles and other nerve-related pain conditions such as diabetic nerve pain, also known as peripheral neuropathy.
Gabapentin is used to treat people offer the age of 12 for seizures. Although not used entirely alone to complete a seizure treatment plan, they use it along with other seizure medications to prevent them from occurring. Although less common, there are some instances where this drug is used to treat seizures in patients as young as three years of age.
One note of caution is that the individual taking the gabapentin usually develops a tolerance. A doctor won’t usually prescribe doses of over 1800 mg, which is widely considered the ceiling for dosage.
They also used gabapentin for psychiatric treatments for mania and even depression with close monitoring while taking the drug. Since the drug can spur depression in some users, caution is recommended, and any changes must be reported to the attending physician. Other uses for psychiatric conditions include anxiety and anxiety-related episodes.
One important thing to note about gabapentin is that it is also effectively used to treat withdrawal symptoms for many drugs and substances. So, it may be frequently prescribed as part of a drug and alcohol treatment program.
It’s also worth mentioning that gabapentin usually increases with treatments not typically associated with the drug, i.e., seizures and neuropathy. That means that treatment for psychiatric conditions or rehabilitation usually uses higher doses of gabapentin.
Using Gabapentin for Withdraws from Substances
As mentioned earlier, gabapentin is also used to treat individuals with withdrawals from certain substances. That is why it’s commonly used in drug and alcohol treatment programs and recovery facilities. One use for withdrawals is in the case of alcoholism.
It’s widely known that alcoholics suffer from life-threatening withdrawals when they stop drinking. In order to help combat this potential, patients are sometimes given this medication to prevent seizures and control anxiety and other severe symptoms during detox.
Likewise, this drug is also used to treat withdrawals from benzodiazepines. Some many withdrawals symptoms make it appear during the detox process that makes it extremely difficult for some.
Especially if they have used the medications to treat a certain condition for years, many people prescribed these medications have this problem. Still, the individual who obtain it off the street also faces the same issues. Gabapentin helps reduce cravings and urges to take medicine. It also helps with suppressing anxiety and preventing seizures.
Gabapentin is also ideal for opiate withdrawal. While it’s not likely to completely control the withdrawal symptoms, it lends moderate support in suppressing cravings, nausea, anxiety, and other complications during the detox and recovery process.
Sometimes gabapentin is also used to treat cravings for marijuana when users try to quit. It staves off irritability, headaches, cravings, malaise, and other serious problems.
Keep in mind that most withdrawals symptoms from drugs are effectively controlled when using gabapentin with other treatments, which makes it an adjunctive treatment. Recovering addicts may also take this medication when detoxing from cocaine, methylphenidate, Ritalin, and other illegal drugs.
Misuse of Gabapentin
While gabapentin is a widely prescribed drug for various treatments, it is also misused or used without a prescription. While the DEA doesn’t consider it a controlled substance, there are still dangers associated with using this drug without a prescription.
One reason for this caution is that studies reveal that there’ a chance for addiction to gabapentin. Much like the drug Lyrica or pregabalin, there’s a similar mechanism for its function in the body.
Lyrica is a Schedule V controlled substance and has many similarities. While gabapentin is FDA approved, always use this drug with caution and never without a prescription from an attending physician or nurse practitioner.
Research continues concerning the effects and uses of gabapentin and how it poses a potential risk of danger and dependence. There’s no work on whether classifications plan to change, but it’s not out of the question. Some researchers still feel there are signs can’t potential risk, so caution is warranted.
Some reasons many feel there is a risk for dependence is that this drug is common in prisons, and inmates ingest this medication without authorization. Most of the users were individuals with prior substance abuse histories. According to researchers, the medication can offer similar effects to that of the cannabis plant, which is a relaxed euphoria, which can become addictive.
There are reports of illegal drug manufacturers and dealers using this drug to cut other drugs or to enhance the effects of illegal street drugs such as heroin and the heroin substitute Buprenorphine/Naltrexone.
In some cases, this drug is used as a tranquilizer to endure euphoria and helps reduce social anxiety, and promotes calm. While the risk of dependence is low, if there are no other drugs producing the same effect available, some drug users opt to take gabapentin in its place. That is one of the reasons why this drug is prevalent in prisons and other institutions where street drugs are hard to obtain.
It’s more likely that a gabapentin addiction results from using this drug in combination with other substances producing psychoactive effects or intoxication because gabapentin can increase the effect. One statistic to keep in mind regarding the use of gabapentin across the board is that most people take it without a prescription. They get them from other sources who sell them on the street. One particular notable use on the street is to increase the effects of the opioid Buprenorphine/Naltrexone.
Potential Withdrawal Symptoms of Gabapentin
In some cases, this drug is used as a tranquilizer to endure euphoria and helps reduce social anxiety, and promotes calm. While the risk of dependence is low, if there are no other drugs producing the same effect available, some drug users opt to take gabapentin in its place.
That is one of the reasons why this drug is prevalent in prisons and other institutions where street drugs are hard to obtain. It’s more likely that a gabapentin addiction results from using this drug in combination with other substances producing psychoactive effects or intoxication because gabapentin can increase the effect.
One statistic to keep in mind in regards to the use of gabapentin across the board is that most people take it without a prescription. In other words, they get them from other sources who sell them on the street. One particular notable use on the street is to increase the effects of the opioid Buprenorphine/Naltrexone.
Although the debate about the addictive potential of gabapentin is ongoing, experts agree there tend to be some common markers associated with withdrawal from using gabapentin. Some symptoms from abstaining from the drug ranged from mild cravings to delirium. However, most reported cases of physical dependence have mild withdrawal symptoms that include the following.
- Digestive issues
- Nervous system symptoms
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts
When referring to the digestive issues, individuals who ceased to use gabapentin after using it for some time reported cramps in the intestines and associated pain. There were also instances of nausea and vomiting.
As far as effects on the peripheral nervous system during potential withdrawals, patients reported a few symptoms. These symptoms included sweating, increased heart rate, muscle spasms, and irregular heart rate. In terms of the risk of seizures, this normally occurs in individuals who already used this medication to control pre-existing conditions causing their seizures.
So, that means that withdrawals alone weren’t the source causing seizures. Very rarely, however, some individuals had suicidal thoughts or became suicidal.
One factor related to these potential withdrawals from gabapentin use included a few conditions and individual diagnoses. For example, those with a history of mental health issues were far more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts or actions.
Even then, these cases were usually associated with prolonged use. This effect seems more prevalent in those who suddenly stop using the drug without a steady course of treatment or detox with the assistance of trained professionals.
Dosage
When it comes to dosages, there is a wide range of therapeutic amounts. As mentioned, those who need this drug as an adjunct for their regular course of seizure treatment are needless. Approximate 300my once or twice daily is the beginning dose for this type of use. Diabetics and those who have shingles also start on this dosage amount.
As time goes on and tolerance of the mediation develops, the dose is upped to between 300 mg to 600 mg three times per day. This dose depends on the age, weight, height, and medical history of the medication prescribed. However, the maximum safe amount for gabapentin is 3600 mg daily divided up three times per day.
Keep in mind that the doctor prescribing this drug may change or up the dose to see therapeutic results depending on the condition. They used higher doses at night to treat restless leg syndrome, but only at night before bed.
Suspecting Dependence to Gabapentin
There are instances where you or someone you care about may develop some dependence on gabapentin. Normally, this occurs in teens who find it on the street or those who have a prescription but don’t use it as directed. These individuals may use more than the prescribed amount and not take it on a schedule as directed.
When this happens, some notice they run out of their prescriptions too soon or find themselves constantly looking for ways to obtain the drug. More commonly, those who use illegal substances may use it to increase the effects of other drugs, both legal and illegal. Users of Buprenorphine/Naltrexone commonly use gabapentin to increase their high as well as those who use other narcotics.
Quitting any drug that has the risk for dependence is unwise. There can be medical issues that result, and it’s always recommended that users or any substance that creates a high or dependence get professional treatment during the course of their detox. Medical supervision helps reduce risks to the person’s health and aids in the recovery process.
The recovery clinics have counselors and other experts ready to help with any psychological conditions that result during detox. They can speak with them regularly and monitor their progress along the path. Now is the time to reach out to Windward Way Recovery to get assistance with the detox and recovery process to get the best results and prevent complications.
Getting Help From Windward Way Recovery
Getting help with an addiction or drug and substance use is never an easy task. It takes a team of caring individuals with a goal for recovery and getting back on track to make the process easier. Whether it’s you or someone you know who has substance use issues, be compassionate and caring when approaching the topic. If you notice they use potentially addictive substances like gabapentin, bring up the subject with care. Don’t be aggressive or accusatory. Have all the information you need on hand and offer your support through the process. Be sure to have Windward Way Recovery’s information on hand to give to them to take the first step toward recovery, which is making the initial phone call.
Reaching Out
Reaching out to Windward Way Recovery is easy, and all you have to do is pick up the phone and dial the number. Our team of caring professionals is standing by to take your call and receive your essential information for processing and admissions.
We don’t post pressing questions or go into deep detail about your individual substance use history. We get the important details, such as a brief overview of previous use, your current issues, and your medical history.
Once we obtain all the important information we need for processing, we then collect your insurance information and submit it immediately to provide the recovery and detox services you need right away. After that, you head directly to your nearest treatment center with our support and guidance the whole way. Reach out to us today to get started on the road to treatment and recovery so you can lead a happier and more fulfilled life.
