Is Gabapentin Addictive?

If you’re wondering the big question — Is Gabapentin addictive? — you should know that it is. Although an effective prescription medication used to treat seizures and pain, Gabapentin, also known by the brand name Neurontin, has been involved in a recent stream of overdose deaths. Gabapentin misuse is growing into a serious problem. As users can develop a dependence on this prescription medication, they are at increased risk of full-blown addiction.

If you have developed an addiction to Gabapentin, you should remember that help is available at Resurgence Behavioral Health. We treat all forms of substance addiction, including prescription drug addiction. Our addiction treatment center offers a full range of programming that includes inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, aftercare, and medical detox. We have a commitment to comprehensive care. Clients can expect our experienced clinicians to tailor treatment to their needs. We can offer a level of support that’s ideal for you. 

During our treatment plans, clients can expect to participate in individual and group counseling sessions that encompass many types of treatment approaches. Our therapeutic options include medically traditional forms of psychotherapy, alternative treatment, and holistic treatment. These therapies, taken together, target all aspects of substance addiction. We can help you build a strong recovery foundation, one on which you can develop your healthy new life — free from drugs and alcohol. 

If you are addicted to Gabapentin or multiple substances, you can rely on our accredited rehab center for help. Our prescription medication addiction treatment facility is welcoming and safe. We feature a setting that’s conducive to healing. By starting your recovery journey today, you can take your first step to a brighter future. 

Understanding Gabapentin: Uses and Effects

Gabapentin is a prescription medication that is generally prescribed to treat seizures and nerve-related pain. Doctors may also prescribe the medication for off-label uses that include:

• Fibromyalgia.
• Insomnia.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Migraines.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Medication-resistant depression.

Unfortunately, some people may develop a dependence on the medication that exceeds the boundaries of healthful usage. Abusing this drug can lead to the development of an addiction. Some people abuse Gabapentin recreationally on its own or in combination with other substances. 

The Potential for Addiction: Gabapentin Examined

Many drugs are subject to the development of dosage tolerance. A person may become dependent on Gabapentin and increase their dose in order to achieve improved effects. Increasing the dose or misusing the drug in other ways can heighten the risk of addiction. Once a person becomes addicted, they cannot become “un-addicted” to the drug. The only way to manage an addiction and achieve recovery is to abstain from using the substance. A person who is addicted to Gabapentin and tries to stop cold turkey is vulnerable to withdrawal symptoms. The best way to cope with an addiction to any substance is to enroll at a licensed rehab facility where you can get professional medical support. Resurgence Behavioral Health is proud to be recognized as a top choice among California prescription drug rehabs.

Gabapentin Misuse and Abuse: Recognizing the Signs

Some people misuse Gabapentin to enhance the high of another drug. For instance, people who take opioids to get high might experience a more powerful high by taking Gabapentin. On its own, Gabapentin, in large doses, produces a marijuana-like high. Signs of a Gabapentin addiction include:

• Stockpiling the drug in order to misuse it.
• Doctor shopping in order to obtain more of the drug.
• Increasing the dose of the drug without a doctor’s consent.
• Using someone else’s prescription.
• Lying about drug use. 
• Attempting to stop using the drug and being unable to.
• Thinking about using the drug frequently. 
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you haven’t used the drug in a certain period of time. 

Is Gabapentin Addictive? The Debate on Gabapentin’s Addictive Properties

Not all clinicians believe that Gabapentin is as seriously addictive as other substances. However, some people display all the hallmarks of addiction in relation to Gabapentin abuse. The fact is, if you can’t stop taking the drug, you may be addicted to it and need help. Abusing any drug, even a prescription drug, can lead to life-threatening consequences such as overdose. Gabapentin can cause a person to feel high. Its use is associated with unhealthy forms of dependence. While medical researchers debate how addictive Gabapentin might be, and though it doesn’t rank among the most addictive drugs, you should still seek help at a rehab center if you’re abusing this drug and struggling to stop using it. 

Risk Factors for Gabapentin Dependence

Gabapentin is associated with people who have a polydrug addiction — which refers to people who are addicted to more than one substance. For instance, a person might become addicted to alcohol and Gabapentin or opioids and Gabapentin. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we treat polydrug addiction. Although a polydrug addiction can be complex, we employ many of the same condition management strategies for each chemical dependence in question. Our clinicians can help you end your dependence on Gabapentin and any other substance you may be addicted to. 

Managing Gabapentin Use: Safeguarding Against Addiction

If you are prescribed Gabapentin, you should use it as directed by your physician. Never change the dose, for instance, without first consulting your doctor. You should not take Gabapentin with any other drug unless your doctor approves. If you have a history of drug addiction, always let your prescribing physician know so that they can prescribe medications that are not associated with addiction or monitor your use more closely. An addiction is a chronic condition, so it’s ideal to prevent it. If you are concerned about your Gabapentin dependence, you should get evaluated by a licensed clinician or addiction specialist at Resurgence Behavioral Health. 

Is Gabapentin Addictive? Treatment for Gabapentin Misuse and Addiction

If you have an addiction to Gabapentin, you need treatment. Resurgence Behavioral Health can help. Our treatments are designed to help clients identify the factors that led them to abuse drugs and then develop strategies to manage these factors, aka triggers, successfully. Recovery takes time, and each client achieves their recovery milestones in their own time, but at Resurgence Behavioral Health, we partner with our clients and provide support that’s tailored to their needs. 

When you enroll at Resurgence Behavioral Health for addiction treatment, we will carefully evaluate your condition. Our clinicians can then recommend the ideal course of treatment for you. Whether you enroll in inpatient or outpatient rehab, you can expect to attend therapy sessions that include evidence-based treatments, alternative treatments, and holistic treatments. We will treat your mind, body, and spirit, helping you achieve lasting recovery.

Our Gabapentin addiction treatment is based on the best treatment principles. Our clinicians are highly experienced and devoted to treating each client with dignity and respect. As your treatment needs change, we change with you, ensuring that the treatment and support you receive is right for you and the recovery stage you’re in. 

Living Without Gabapentin: Alternatives and Solutions

Now that you know the answer to the big question — Is Gabapentin addictive? — it’s important to realize that help is available. You can overcome your dependence on Gabapentin, and Resurgence Behavioral Health can help. Contact our addiction treatment center today and let us help you through our enrollment process. We’re here to answer all of your questions and discuss our various plan options. The sooner you contact Resurgence Behavioral Health or call 855-458-0050, the sooner you can begin your recovery journey. Remember that our rehab center also offers medication-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis treatment for clients who can benefit from these services. We look forward to helping you end your addiction to drugs or alcohol for good.

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial