What Is Baclofen Used For? Can It Cause Addiction?

We describe a case of unusual presentation of baclofen dependence. Once breathing is established, move them into a recovery position and wait for help to arrive. If your loved one appears unconscious and unresponsive, they could be suffering from a baclofen-induced coma.

Inpatient Program

Any amount higher than prescribed can lead to unpleasant symptoms. However, one study stated that doses higher than 200mg could predict the development of seizures and other OD symptoms and require treatment. Since this drug treats the symptoms of addiction and not the addiction itself, patients are likely to swap one addiction for another. High doses of baclofen are often needed to treat both addiction and medical issues. Due to these large doses, the body can become dependent on the drug.

Seeking Treatment for Baclofen Abuse

While acute withdrawal symptoms may subside within one to two weeks for many individuals, some may experience lingering symptoms or fluctuations in symptoms for several weeks or even months. It’s essential to seek support from healthcare providers and engage in self-care practices to support recovery and gradually regain a sense of normalcy after Baclofen withdrawal. Once the body has been stabilized, you are ready to move to the next phase of treatment. An inpatient program is an intensive treatment that aims to achieve long-lasting sobriety.

Can Baclofen Be Abused?

• While in some cases, the symptoms can just mimic brain death, in others, even with treatment patients fail to recover.
• Any time you take baclofen in a way not prescribed by your doctor, you are misusing it.
• If a patient does not get prompt care, they may stop breathing and die.
• He was continuing all those medication without much improvement of his depression.
• Treatment is supportive and can include medications to control seizures and muscle stiffness.
• In many instances, medical detox may be necessary to safely detox from baclofen.

The withdrawal process can be uncomfortable both physically and mentally. In fact, it can cause relapse because of the intense side effects and cravings that most people experience during withdrawal. In large quantities, baclofen can lead to can baclofen be abused pleasurable feelings similar to those created by drinking alcohol, which is why it can be addicting. Baclofen is not a controlled substance in the United States, however, baclofen misuse can be dangerous.

Baclofen Abuse and Addiction Treatment Options

Studies have shown the success of Baclofen for anxiety in lowering the anxiety level in drug addicts. This effect, in turn, reduces their cravings to indulge in addictive behavior. It helps patients feel relaxed and calm, thus providing relief from anxiety, stress, and depression. Baclofen for anxiety is an off-label use, so getting professional medical assistance from a doctor is crucial.

Baclofen may be prescribed for a variety of conditions that result in muscle stiffness and tightness, including spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis. The use of two drugs – gabapentin and baclofen – has soared in recent years. Experts worry that people may have started to take these drugs as an alternative to opioids. Amidst rising concerns of abuse, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Michigan categorized gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance. Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Baclofen withdrawal can be deadly if a person suddenly stops taking it after taking it regularly for a period of time.

With outpatient treatment, you may be asked to attend therapy sessions throughout the week and have regular appointments with your healthcare providers. However, it is much less structured than a partial hospitalization program. Residential treatment is often preferred to the outpatient alternatives because of the around-the-clock care and support provided. You’ll be in a home-like setting with specialists and like-minded people, and it’s often a better environment for your mental health.

• Baclofen tends to act like a central nervous system depressant when taken at high dosages.
• Although it also relieves pain related to muscle stiffness, it does so differently than opioid analgesics or narcotic painkillers.
• 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.
• Just a 200-milligram dose or about eight tablets can be enough to cause overdose symptoms.
• The difference is that a residential recovery center cannot provide the same medical treatment that a hospital can.
• For this reason, it’s highly recommended that anyone experiencing misuse of baclofen undergo medication-assisted treatment, starting with medical detox.
• In large quantities, baclofen can lead to pleasurable feelings similar to those created by drinking alcohol, which is why it can be addicting.

Baclofen is a medication that acts on the nervous system, specifically targeting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It modulates GABA receptors, leading to a reduction in nerve activity and muscle tone. This mechanism of action allows Baclofen to function as a muscle relaxant, alleviating muscle stiffness and spasms. The biggest challenge with an intensive outpatient program is that it requires a strong support system, a healthy home environment, and the ability to get to and from multiple appointments. In recent years, medical professionals have also been prescribing baclofen for “off-label” purposes. 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.

People who abuse baclofen may also consume it with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol to enhance the high. Taking a high dose of baclofen on its own may also cause overdose, which may result in coma or death. 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 risk of severe withdrawal is high if you have used the injectable form. Treatment is supportive and can include medications to control seizures and muscle stiffness. In severe withdrawal, your doctor may give a low dose of baclofen.