Managing Baclofen Addiction

They can complicate your life since you may feel ill if you cannot take baclofen for a few days. Baclofen leaves the system rapidly, so even just skipping your dose for a couple of hours can cause you to start feeling unwell. Another frustrating and unpleasant side effect of baclofen abuse is withdrawal.

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. People who suffer from baclofen addiction may need help from a rehabilitation centre to safely detox and recover. A course of treatment is needed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. It may include medical supervision, behavioural therapy, and slow dose reduction.

What are the Health Effects of Abuse?

The patient was prescribed to take Lioresal, which he eventually abused. Based on the report, the patient said he experienced an unusual sense of pleasure and well-being whenever he took Lioresal. The primary function of Lioresal in alcohol addiction treatment is to help curb the craving and, as such, increase the dopamine level. Because individuals can develop tolerance to baclofen quickly, baclofen withdrawal can happen if they suddenly reduce or stop use.

Withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant and even dangerous without medical help. Tolerance to any substance happens when your body or brain no longer responds the same way it did initially. If baclofen is prescribed to help someone quit another drug, they might risk relapse if baclofen’s effects wear off. The person might then go can baclofen be abused back to their original drug of choice in search of relief. Once detox is complete, a high-quality treatment program helps address the underlying causes of addiction.

People may become easily confused, lose touch with reality, and exhibit poor judgment. Those around the person may notice that they are easily irritated, get angry rapidly, and make bizarre decisions. Even those who did not have mental health problems before may experience some issues, and patients with mental health conditions may worsen. One of the main reasons a doctor can use Lioresal for alcohol use disorder is because it helps to reduce the compulsion to drink.

Medical professionals have discovered that using it for alcohol cravings helps to stop drinking. It has been found to completely switch off the thirst for alcohol in patients diagnosed with alcohol addiction. The patient can choose to stop taking alcohol or continue to drink after completing alcohol treatment. Some research suggests that baclofen can ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms, particularly for alcohol or opioids. It appears to stabilize mood and reduce anxiety, making it a possible off-label option in addiction care.

Baclofen Withdrawal Timeline

Baclofen can interact poorly with other medications that are central nervous system depressants. You are more likely to overdose if you take baclofen alongside alcohol, other painkillers, or antidepressants. Even if the amount of baclofen or other drugs you take would not cause an overdose on their own, combining them can lead to overdose symptoms. If you experience trouble breathing, mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures, it is important to seek emergency medical care. These dangerous side effects are more likely to happen when you take large amounts of baclofen regularly, but they can even occur the first time you take the drug.

Recovery Resource Center has gathered together the ultimate information to move you forward in your recovery. If the person is having a seizure, protect them from self-harm by laying them down in a safe area and cushioning their head. Those exhibiting signs of delirium are suffering from cognitive dysfunction. They may seem inattentive, confused, unfocused, or even inebriated. In 2004, a cardiologist from France discovered that baclofen suppressed the alcohol-induced release of dopamine from the brain.

Why is Baclofen Sometimes Used for Addiction Treatment?

• Furthermore, combining outdated prescriptions with alcohol, opioids, or other central nervous system depressants can also be very risky.
• Thus, it is evident that baclofen is likely to cause fatal complications in some users.
• Research shows that long-term rehab is an effective way for people to overcome their physical and psychological addiction to drugs and alcohol.
• Baclofen, as a muscle relaxer, when overdosed, has no known antidote.
• If you experience trouble breathing, mental confusion, hallucinations, or seizures, it is important to seek emergency medical care.

However, when a person is taking baclofen needlessly, the drug’s method of action becomes a problem. Since it regularly inhibits nervous activity in the brain, baclofen can end up causing all sorts of unpleasant side effects. In addition to relaxing muscles, baclofen can affect the gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, and more. Although the number of cases with Baclofen abuse is growing, it is not on the list of controlled substances. Even though Lioresal is a prescription drug, and it is prohibited from buying without one, some patients are trying to get it from unofficial street sources.

This means that, while the FDA has approved baclofen for treating the above conditions, it’s also prescribed to treat conditions not yet approved by the FDA. A  baclofen overdose comes from consuming too much of the drug, either intentionally or accidentally. Since this medication depresses the central nervous system, an overdose can be life-threatening, especially in combination with other substances. Recovery Resource Center provides information on the best evidence-based treatment centers for people struggling with addiction and mental health. Later studies concluded that baclofen could not only reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol and opioids but also minimize the symptoms of withdrawal.

Studies show that baclofen can be as effective as diazepam for dealing with alcohol withdrawal and may also help with opiate withdrawals. In some situations, professionals use it to treat cocaine dependence. 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.

Baclofen Abuse due to Its Hypomanic Effect in Patients with Alcohol Dependence and Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder

Granite Recovery Centers has been transforming the lives of alcohol and drug dependent adults from New England and well beyond. Although it also relieves pain related to muscle stiffness, it does so differently than opioid analgesics or narcotic painkillers. When Lioresal is abused, some common adverse health effects may be experienced, especially when dosage has been abruptly increased. Scientists got a success rate of 68.2%, but only 43 patients were tested in the study. Another study showed similar results with a success rate of 56.8% in 320 patients.

Where Should an Overdose be Treated?

Over time, the brain may rely on these effects, prompting individuals to exceed their prescribed dosage. If you are physically dependent on baclofen, you may choose to continue your addiction treatment after completing a baclofen detox program. Research shows that long-term rehab is an effective way for people to overcome their physical and psychological addiction to drugs and alcohol. Medical detox for baclofen addiction may also greatly reduce the risk of relapse because it offers a safe and supportive environment that is drug-free. Attempting to quit baclofen cold turkey is difficult without support and may also be very uncomfortable. However, with a baclofen detox program, you are much more likely to succeed.

After initial denial, “X” accepted the increased intake to be three tablets instead of one. He was advised to adhere to the prescription and return for review after 2 weeks. Before his next appointment, his hostel mate came to us and complained about the daily abuse of drugs. Interview with “X” revealed abusive intake of 20 tablets of 30 mg making a total dose of 600 mg baclofen every day. He described the sense of wellbeing and pleasure without apparent reason after baclofen ingestion and also craving for the drug.

Physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and an elevated risk of overdose can result from prolonged high-dose use. Taking this into account, doctors emphasize the importance of close surveillance for long-term users and warn against using baclofen without a prescription. After detox and rehab are over for baclofen treatment, many people need continued support to maintain a lifestyle of sobriety and prevent relapse. There are several different continuing care options for baclofen addiction, including sober living programs and aftercare programs. If you are searching for a drug rehab program for baclofen addiction, residential programs and outpatient programs are two different types of rehab to consider.