13 Sep 2022
Gabapentin is an effective anti-seizure medicine also used in the treatment of epileptic. An anticonvulsant by nature and commonly known as a painkiller. Abuse and addiction to a drug like painkillers are always on the rise. Medicine such as Gabapentin alters the pain signals and the nerves from reaching the brain. The abuse and addiction of this medicine happen due to the euphoria or numb effect the user gets. However, the usage depends upon the user. It's the will to abuse it.
How Does Abuse Of Gabapentin Happens?
Abuse refers to using the medicine for different purposes that are not meant to happen. Abuse is a voluntary activity. People abuse to gain the illicit feeling of increased happiness through medicine. There are many types of abuse like alcohol abuse, drug abuse etc.
Abuse of Gabapentin happens in various forms; some make it in snorting powder, mixed with alcohol, cannabis, marijuana, sedative medicine etc. There are many forms in which people can abuse Gabapentin. Abuse of Gabapentin can land you in difficult health circumstances and apparently can damage your professional and personal life (Mersfelder, T.L. and Nichols, W.H., 2016).
How Is Gabapentin Addicted?
Addiction is two ways, one, due to knowing and consuming constant doses and second, the course of Gabapentin can cause addiction. Here for the first point, the user abuses the drug and gets addicted. In the second point, the user is unknown about his addiction. The connecting dots in this addiction or abuse is the consistency in the usage of Gabapentin.
Signs Of Gabapentin addiction
- Extreme Dizziness
- Heavy Drowsiness
- Mood change
- Lack of focus
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tremore
- Difficulty in speaking
- Depression
- Hives or rash
What Happens If You Stop Gabapentin To Avoid Addiction?
Decreasing the use of medicine to avoid addiction or abuse can be a good idea but not in the case of Gabapentin. Suppose you suddenly stop the usage of Gabapentin. In that case, it can retaliate with withdrawal symptoms which can affect you physically and mentally. Hence to taper off, addiction experts advise not to stop the usage suddenly and should follow the prescribed dosage of gabapentin. (Mersfelder, T.L. and Nichols, W.H., 2016).
Symptoms Of Gabapentin Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Difficulty in talking
- Loss of coordination
- Pain
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
How To Stop The Abuse Of Gabapentin?
As explained above, abuse happens voluntarily or when the user gets dependent on it. Stopping abuse is more self-voluntary work. People can do things like meditation, hobby work, and exercise and control their thoughts and minds. The self-control of abuse is the best way to STOP abuse of Gabapentin. It is your body, and it is your choice to make it. Illegal selling without prescription is also a reason for abuse hence Gabapentin sale is available through prescription s and licensed pharmacies.
Why Is Gabapentin Addictive?
Any medicine cannot be fully called an addictive substance when the user is not becoming dependent on it. In the case of Gabapentin, it has a sedative effect that gives the user a sense of euphoria; hence, the user can get addicted to it or have the urge to use it again. Therefore Gabapentin is called addictive.
Is There Any Treatment Available For Gabapentin Addiction?
Self-control is the best way to stop addiction, as there is no proper clinical protocol that has to be followed. Your medical expert can suggest a way out according to your health status.
However, medical detoxification is available in which the gabapentin addiction is tapered off slowly and gradually. You can do extracurricular activities to drive your attention to other things like trekking, horse riding, mountaineering, writing etc. It can seem complex, but it is possible with determination and manifestation.
Conclusion
Gabapentin abuse and addiction is a step-by-step voluntary or involuntary process. Addiction can be tapered off slowly instead of having a sudden stop backed by side effects. Self-control and medical expert advice is the best way to eliminate the abuse and addiction to Gabapentin.
