Gabapentin is a medication that helps many people in the UK and worldwide manage epilepsy and nerve pain. However, in recent years, there has been a troubling rise in deaths associated with Gabapentin use and growing concerns about its addictive potential. Gabapentin addiction can be a hidden struggle that starts with a genuine need for pain relief but can quickly take over your life with devastating consequences.
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin, is an anticonvulsant that was first introduced in the 1990s. It works by calming down nerve activity in the brain, which helps control epileptic seizures and reduces pain from damaged nerves. This type of pain is known as neuropathic pain and often results from conditions like diabetes or shingles.
Gabapentin is also prescribed for restless leg syndrome, a condition that makes you feel an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, especially at night and can also help reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.
What is Gabapentin addiction?
Gabapentin addiction is a type of anticonvulsant addiction that often begins with a prescription for managing pain or a condition like epilepsy. However, when you take Gabapentin long-term, your body can start to become more tolerant to its pain- or seizure-relieving effects.
This is a critical juncture on the road to Gabapentin addiction as some people may decide to up their dosage or start taking Gabapentin more regularly without telling their doctor. When this happens, the body and brain can become physically dependent on Gabapentin and need it to feel normal. In fact, you can become so reliant on having Gabapentin in your system that when you stop taking it, unpleasant and dangerous withdrawal symptoms can emerge, such as:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Agitation
- Rebound seizures
It’s not just your body that can become dependent; your mind can, too. Some people start using Gabapentin to cope with stress, anxiety or other emotional issues, and this can create a cycle of abuse and a real fear of not being able to get through life without it.
You take the medication not just for physical relief but for emotional comfort as well. This mental and emotional dependency, in unison with the physical one, is what defines a full-blown Gabapentin addiction.
Gabapentin addiction and abuse in the UK
In the UK, Gabapentin misuse and addiction have become a growing concern, with a noticeable increase in the number of deaths linked to Gabapentin since its introduction, with 913 cases between 2004 and 2020. This has led to ever-stricter regulations over the years, and in 2019, Gabapentin was reclassified as a controlled substance to help reduce its abuse.
How to spot Gabapentin addiction symptoms
Addiction often starts subtly and can be hard to notice at first, but spotting Gabapentin addiction symptoms early can have huge benefits for treatment outcomes. Some of the key Gabapentin addiction symptoms to look out for include.
- Taking more Gabapentin than your doctor prescribed
- Using Gabapentin more frequently than you’re supposed to
- Going to multiple doctors to get extra Gabapentin prescriptions
- Feeling unwell or anxious when you don’t take Gabapentin
- Needing higher doses of Gabapentin to alleviate seizures or pain
- Disregarding your responsibilities at home, school or work
- Changes in mood, like feeling more irritable or depressed
- Using Gabapentin in non-prescribed ways, like crushing and snorting it
- Avoiding friends and family to use Gabapentin
- Continuing to use Gabapentin even though it’s causing problems in your life
Typical causes of Gabapentin addiction
Understanding what leads to Gabapentin addiction can help to recognise if you are at risk before you start taking it. Several factors can increase the chances of developing a Gabapentin addiction, including:
Chemical effects on the brain
Gabapentin increases the production of GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms nerve activity. While this helps with pain and seizures, it can make your brain rely on the drug to feel normal, leading to a habit-forming cycle.
Chronic pain
If you are dealing with ongoing pain, you may start taking higher doses of Gabapentin to find relief, which can be a dangerous first step towards dependency.
Trauma or mental health issues
Anxiety, depression, stress or other emotional struggles can make Gabapentin feel like a helpful escape.
A substance abuse history
If you’ve had addiction problems before, you may be more vulnerable to developing a new one to Gabapentin.
Genetic predisposition
Addiction can run in families, making some people more prone to it even if Gabapentin is taken as prescribed.
Social environment
Being around others who misuse Gabapentin or other drugs can influence you to do the same.
The dangers of Gabapentin abuse and addiction
Struggling with Gabapentin addiction and abuse can take a heavy toll on your health and relationships and seriously affect other important parts of your life. One of the biggest risks is respiratory depression, which can occur when you take too much Gabapentin or mix it with other depressants like alcohol and opioids. This can lead to severe loss of consciousness and even death, which is how many people who overdose on Gabapentin lose their lives.
Some of the other harmful effects include:
Physical harm
- Constant dizziness, blurred vision and a lack of coordination make daily activities difficult and potentially dangerous.
- Nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Weight gain and fluid retention, potentially leading to high blood pressure and other health issues.
Mental harm
- Problems with concentration, memory and making decisions
- Feeling irritated, anxious or depressed for no obvious reason
- Development of suicidal or self-harming thoughts
- Psychotic episodes such as hallucinations and delusion (in extreme cases)
Alongside these health issues, Gabapentin can also cause enormous damage to your career, education and your relationships with friends and family. These impacts together are why it’s so important to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with Gabapentin addiction.
What treatment is available for Gabapentin addiction?
There are various NHS and private recovery centres across the UK which offer Gabapentin addiction treatment. Most treatment programmes include a combination of detox, anticonvulsant rehab and relapse prevention planning. All of these three stages together are what makes for effective, lasting recovery.
Detox helps you through withdrawal, rehab therapy gets to the heart of your addiction and teaches you new coping skills, and relapse prevention planning helps you stay strong after treatment. Seeking professional help is crucial, as it provides the support and resources needed to overcome addiction and reclaim your life.
Call our admissions line 24 hours a day to get help.