Is Gabapentin Addictive? What You Should Know

When most people think about drug misuse and addiction, they probably picture illegal substances such as heroin or cocaine. There has been a sharp rise in the misuse of prescription drugs over recent years, however. The misuse of fentanyl in the US, for example, has been described as an ‘epidemic’, and the strong painkiller has been seen as the main driver of an increase of more than 7 times more annual drug overdose deaths between 2015 and 2022.

While fentanyl abuse is nowhere near as widespread in the UK, prescription drug misuse is still a serious issue. Precise figures are not always easy to find as prescription and illegal drug misuse is often bundled together, but one survey found that 5.4 % of adults aged 16 to 59 years had misused a prescription-only painkiller not prescribed to them – rising to 7.2 % of 16- to 24-year-olds.

Opioids like fentanyl, codeine, tramadol and morphine are often the focus of attention, but what about gabapentin?

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It is frequently used to treat epilepsy but can also be used to treat restless leg syndrome and a number of types of nerve pain. Nerve pain can be caused by conditions such as diabetes and shingles and can also occur after an injury.

It is not fully understood how gabapentin works. Still, epilepsy treatment is believed to be able to prevent seizures or convulsions by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Nerve pain is thought to reduce the pain experienced by affecting the pain messages travelling through the central nervous system.

Gabapentin indirectly enhances the action of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), a brain chemical which affects the body’s nervous system.5 It can also produce feelings of relaxation and calmness, which can potentially reduce anxiety and help some people to sleep, as well as treat nerve pain and convulsions.

Gabapentin comes in tablets, capsules or a liquid that you swallow. In the UK, it may be known under the brand Neurontin.

Is Gabapentin Addictive?

So, is gabapentin addictive? It is certainly a drug that is open to misuse, and a 2017 study suggested that it was being misused by around 1.1% of the UK population. This rose to 15–22% of people internationally who were already abusing opioids. The study noted that gabapentin was frequently misused alongside other substances, although not generally those with a history of alcohol abuse or dependence.

It was initially thought that gabapentin had no real potential for abuse, but it is used recreationally for a number of reasons. Users report varying experiences, including euphoria, improved sociability, a cannabis-like ‘high’, and a sense of relaxation and calm.7

Misuse of a prescription drug can also involve taking higher doses or using the drug more often than directed, using someone else’s prescription or otherwise taking the drug in any way other than that advised by a medical professional.

Misuse of a drug like gabapentin can potentially be very dangerous, and the NHS confirms that it can also be addictive. Long-term use can lead to a physical dependence on the drug, meaning you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop taking it.

These can include:

• Agitation and anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Heart palpitations
• Difficulty sleeping
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Body aches
• Feeling of restlessness

It is also possible to develop a psychological dependency on prescription drugs, including gabapentin. This can make it very difficult to stop using the drug or even to cut down on usage. It can also lead to psychological symptoms such as anxiety.

Signs of Gabapentin Misuse

There are a number of signs of gabapentin misuse and potential addiction or dependency that you may notice in yourself or others.

These could include:

• Using more of the drug
• Taking more frequently or in larger doses
• Feeling anxious about securing more gabapentin
• Lying to doctors or other professionals to get a prescription
• Using other people’s prescriptions or seeking the drug on the black market
• Using gabapentin recreationally

Dangers of Gabapentin Misuse

As well as the risks of addiction, gabapentin can have a number of unwanted side effects.

Some relatively common side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Raised blood pressure
• Memory loss
• Problems with muscles and reflexes
• Skin reactions
• Sexual dysfunction

Less common side effects could include:

• Cognitive impairment
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
• Palpitations
• Loss of consciousness
• Respiratory depression

In rare cases, gabapentin has also been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviour. It is rare to overdose on gabapentin, but it can happen. Symptoms could include drowsiness, fast heartbeat, dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and impaired coordination. In severe cases, it can cause lethargy and coma and even prove fatal.

The fact that gabapentin is also frequently used alongside other drugs can also cause complications. According to the NHS, gabapentin can intensify the highs of recreational drugs like cannabis and heroin. Some people will seek out this effect, but it can also increase the risks of unpleasant side effects such as panic attacks, anxiety and memory loss.

Safe Use of Gabapentin

You should only ever use gabapentin as directed by a prescribing medical practitioner. In particular, you should stick to prescribed dosages and check in regularly with relevant healthcare providers. You should seek medical advice if you experience any side effects or feel you are developing a dependency on the drug.

It’s also important to make sure you don’t mix gabapentin with other drugs or alcohol, apart from any other prescription medications that have been taken into account.

Getting Help for Gabapentin Addiction

Any kind of addiction, including addiction to prescription drugs like gabapentin, can be extremely difficult to overcome without expert help and treatment. Comprehensive rehab programmes will help you to get through physical dependency and withdrawal symptoms, and a range of therapies can help you address the psychological aspects of addiction and substance misuse.

If you are worried about your own use of this drug or that of someone close to you, get in touch today to find out how we can help.