Gabapentin is a prescription medication that is used to treat health conditions like neuropathic pain, restless leg syndrome, and seizure disorders. It works to reduce abnormal activity in the brain by affecting a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Gabapentin may cause side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, vision problems, vomiting, and more.[1]
While gabapentin is not a controlled substance, some people abuse it and become addicted to it. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), a gabapentin high can include symptoms like, “euphoria, improved sociability, a marijuana-like ‘high’, relaxation, and sense of calm.”[2]
If you or a loved one are addicted to gabapentin, suddenly stopping the use of it will result in withdrawal symptoms. You could experience symptoms like anxiety, sweating, restlessness, confusion, light sensitivity, and more. Withdrawal symptoms begin within 12 hours and can last up to 7 days.
Because of the withdrawal symptoms you could experience, stopping gabapentin without assistance from a medical detox center is not recommended. Medically supervised detox centers offer evidence-based treatments to help you overcome withdrawal safely and comfortably.
What you will learn:
- What are the symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal
- What is the timeline for gabapentin withdrawal
- How is gabapentin withdrawal treated in a medical detox program
What are the Symptoms of Gabapentin Withdrawal?
Gabapentin abuse can lead to unwanted side effects and a chronic substance use disorder. If you develop a physical dependence on gabapentin, you will experience withdrawal symptoms once you stop using it. Being aware of the withdrawal symptoms you could suffer from might motivate you to seek help from a medical detox program.
The symptoms of gabapentin withdrawal include:[3]
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Mental confusion and disorientation
- Agitation or irritability
- Headaches
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive sweating
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
In severe cases, gabapentin withdrawal can lead to hallucinations and seizures. Medical professionals working in detox programs provide medications and treatments like IV fluids to lessen your symptoms and keep you stable.
How Long Does Gabapentin Withdrawal Last?
The timeline for gabapentin withdrawal can vary from person to person. For example, someone who has been abusing the medication for years might experience longer and more severe symptoms than someone abusing it for a month. Most people experience a similar timeline.
12 to 24 Hours
Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms will appear as your last dose leaves your body. Usually, this happens within 12 to 24 hours. The initial symptoms will be mild, often including anxiety, restlessness, and cravings for gabapentin.
3 Days
Around the 3rd day after your last dose, your symptoms will peak. Withdrawal will be at its most severe. You must be receiving medical care from a detox program during this time.
You might experience symptoms like excessive sweating, accelerated heart rate, tremors, intense cravings, mental confusion, and more. If you are going to experience more severe symptoms like seizures and hallucinations, it will occur around the 3rd day.
5 to 7 Days
Sometime between 5 to 7 days of withdrawal, your symptoms will begin to subside. Usually, all of your symptoms will be gone a week after your last dose of gabapentin. Of course, receiving care from a medical detox program will make the process faster.
How is Gabapentin Withdrawal Treated?
Gabapentin withdrawal should always be treated under the care of a detox program. When you arrive at detox, admissions counselors will assess your history of substance abuse, determine if you have physical or mental health conditions that require care, and take a look at your family history. The information they gather will be used to create an individualized treatment plan.
Once your treatment plan has been drafted, you will begin detox. Typically, treatment for gabapentin withdrawal involves slowly tapering you off of the substance. The dose you receive will depend on how much gabapentin you were taking while abusing it.
Over time, your dose of gabapentin will be lowered until you no longer need it. In addition to tapering, you will have access to treatments like IV fluids, vitamin replacement therapy, vitals monitoring, and more. You will also participate in group counseling and individual therapy to prepare you for long-term addiction recovery.
When you have overcome withdrawal, you will have the option to transfer into inpatient or outpatient rehab. Your choice should be dependent on the level of care you need. If you have a severe substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health conditions, you should opt for an inpatient addiction treatment program.
Get Connected to a Gabapentin Detox Center
If you suffer from gabapentin addiction, it’s time to seek help. The first step in recovery from gabapentin addiction should always be a medical detox center. These programs will help you overcome withdrawal safely and comfortably, using the tapering method to prevent severe symptoms.
At PAX Memphis, we can help connect you to a reputable detox program. Once you complete detox, We can help you find a highly-rated addiction treatment center to transition into. We will help keep you on track during addiction recovery and offer you the support you need to stay sober.
Contact PAX Memphis today for more information on recovery from gabapentin addiction.
References:
- Medline Plus: Gabapentin
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Substance misuse of gabapentin
- Medscape: Withdrawal Symptoms after Gabapentin Discontinuation