can baclofen be abused

We may have expected that to translate into fewer drug abuse problems. Instead, we have seen an increase in overdoses, hospitalizations, and suicides caused by non-opioids including gabapentin, methamphetamines, and muscle relaxants. Untreated early withdrawal symptoms may result in more dangerous and unpleasant side effects. Advanced symptoms can include high fever, muscle stiffness, altered mental status, and in exceptional cases, failure of many vital organs and possibly death. Even though it helps with pain specifically in the muscular skeletal region, it’s not categorized as under a painkiller or opioid.

Treatment of overdose on Baclofen consists of supportive care involving IV fluids, mechanical ventilation, and endotracheal intubation. Those who are engaged in this activity can end up in a prison or rehabilitation center. Besides inadequate use of the substance, poisoning also occurs due to the buildup of Lioresal caused by abnormal kidney function. As a result, kidneys don’t excrete the drug fast enough, even when a patient takes the recommended dosage.

Although it has similar effects on the body and mind, which include mood or behavior psychoactive feelings. Narcotics can induce dizziness, and they are depressant to the central nervous system. Substances may include prescription drugs and illicit substances such as methamphetamine, and opioids can be used interchangeably with the term narcotics. Seeking treatment for baclofen abuse may not be easy, but avoiding the severe and dangerous side effects of misuse, overdose, and withdrawal is essential. If you’re looking for a trusted team of providers who can help guide you toward the right treatment plan, Zinnia Health can help. Intensive inpatient treatment, also known as “medically managed” treatment, is considered the highest level of care for addiction treatment.

  • A baclofen overdose often results in severe versions of typical baclofen side effects too.
  • Later studies concluded that baclofen could not only reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol and opioids but also minimize the symptoms of withdrawal.
  • Various addiction treatment programs exist, making sure that each patient can successfully recover and stop drug abuse.
  • Compared to opiates and other painkillers, baclofen is a reasonably safe drug with little risk of addiction.
  • One possible positive outcome of this report may be that it may be a potential area of research to find out whether baclofen can be used in the treatment of resistant depression.
  • One of the biggest risks of baclofen is that it’s easy to overdose on it.
  • Ask your pharmacist for the device if you do not get one with the medication.

An Unusual Case of Baclofen Abuse

If you or someone you know is misusing baclofen, it’s important to understand the side effects, dangers, and treatment options for baclofen use disorder. It can act somewhat like a depressant since it reduces breathing, slows heart rate, and relaxes muscles. However, the drug is also structurally related to amphetamines so that it can cause some stimulant-like effects.

Inpatient Program

These contradictory impacts on the brain can alter a person’s thinking patterns and behavior. Especially when it is frequently taken at large dosages, research finds baclofen can cause mental health problems. Drugs with the highest abuse potential are included in Schedule I. Examples of Schedule I controlled substances include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Drugs in Schedule V have the lowest abuse potential compared to those in other schedules.

Alternatives to the can baclofen be abused 12-step program that offers social reinforcement as you maintain sobriety when you transition out of recovery. Taking baclofen along with alcohol, is a very risky combination. It can intensify negative effects on your body such as dizziness or acute nausea. In the worst possible scenario, it can affect your central nervous system, resulting in someone overdosing.

can baclofen be abused

Opioids Are Not the Only Pain Medications That Can Be Abused

The patients who did not improve with conventional antidepressant therapy started feeling better in terms of his mood symptoms on taking tablet baclofen. Owing to the mood elevating property he started abusing baclofen. Despite its safety profile in hepatic impairment, one must be very cautious in prescribing baclofen because of its mood altering property which may account for its abuse potentiality. If you or a loved one is struggling with baclofen side effects and abuse, there is hope. Granite Recovery Center can give people the tools that they need to overcome addiction. Our rehab center provides a peaceful New England setting for recovery.

What Is Baclofen? Can It Treat Alcohol Addiction?

Your care plan might include individual and group therapies, specialist visits, and more. Intensive inpatient treatment means you’ll be admitted to a hospital where you will get 24/7 medical supervision and care. Once you complete the program, you’ll spend time at either a residential facility or an outpatient program to get the continued support you need to prevent relapse and ensure your success.

Some people thrive with the flexibility that outpatient programs provide, especially if they have a lot of friends and family around to help them stick to their treatment plan. On the other hand, those with environmental triggers at home and/or lack of strong support will likely need a higher level of care. Intensive outpatient care is a step down from a residential facility because you’ll be at home or in a sober living environment most of the time. With this plan, you’ll be asked to check in with medical professionals multiple times a week.

Detox

This usually involves tapering off doses over a period of time to reduce withdrawal symptoms and their severity. In cases where users have developed an addiction to the medication, rehab centers are helpful. Various addiction treatment programs exist, making sure that each patient can successfully recover and stop drug abuse. Although Lioresal is not a narcotic, a handful of cases demonstrating Lioresal addiction have been documented.

Residential Treatment:

Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s contract at time of service. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. If signs of abuse are present, rehab centers can help deal with addictions. It’s better not to stop the medication abruptly, as it will lead to Lioresal withdrawal.

  • Nasti and Brakoulias6) have reported baclofen abuse up to 75 mg/day in a 61-year-old lady, who presented with delirium after abrupt discontinuation.
  • Aftercare is designed to support sober people who have already completed detox and rehab and are looking for continued support as they re-enter society as a sober individual.
  • The research results show that between 3 to 24 months, over 80% of patients that came in at high risk of alcoholism, reduced their risk to the low or moderate level.
  • Baclofen is dangerously mixed with other substances, including opioids, sleeping aids, alcohol, muscle relaxers, or certain vitamins that affect the central nervous system.
  • Patients who start taking the medication should be aware of Baclofen side effects and interactions.
  • Without support from a doctor, it is possible to take the wrong amount and make your symptoms worse.
  • Drugs in Schedule V have the lowest abuse potential compared to those in other schedules.

In many instances, medical detox may be necessary to safely detox from baclofen. Medical detox provides professional assistance and medication-assisted treatment to ensure that you’re comfortable and safe throughout the duration of your baclofen detox program. If you are physically dependent on baclofen, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. Baclofen withdrawal can be very dangerous or even deadly if you don’t have immediate access to medical assistance in the event of an emergency. Baclofen is predominantly a selective GABA-B agonist, but at higher doses it may lose selectivity for GABA-B.

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