There will always be a search for safer and more effective drugs for substance abuse treatment that have low abuse potential. One such drug that is still ongoing when it comes to research is Neurontin, also known as gabapentin. Neurontin is widely prescribed off-label for opiate dependence although it has not been FDA approved as an effective treatment for opiate withdrawal.
Researchers are unsure how the drugs work in this regard but it’s widely prescribed for people either during withdrawal or in early recovery. While it has low abuse potential, Neurontin itself can be abused and addictive when taken in very high doses.
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What is Neurontin? How Does it Work?
Neurontin or gabapentin can help those who have seizures. It is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It affects chemicals and nerves in the body that are involved in the cause of some types of pain as well as seizures.
Are There Side Effects from Taking Neurontin?
Everyone reacts differently to Neurontin since everyone’s body and brain chemistry is different. In general, a person may respond to Neurontin treatment in one of four ways:
- Some will experience immediate pain relief and an increase in energy levels.
- Some will not experience pain relief unless higher doses of Neurontin are administered.
- Others will see no improvement whatsoever.
- After a certain length of time, Neurontin’s treatment effects may start to fade for those who do benefit from the higher dosages.
Many people who abuse opioids want to stop but do not even get past the first couple of hours because of the painful withdrawal symptoms that come along with quitting. So, after experiencing these painful withdrawal symptoms, the thought of intense drug cravings and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can be intimidating for people with opioid addiction. This is the main reason people continue the cycle of addiction: the fear of painful withdrawal.
Opiate withdrawal symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on many variables. How dependent the individual is on an opioid drug, the length of time taking a drug, dosage amount, which drug was taken, how the drug was taken, underlying medical conditions, and much more.
Does Neurontin Help With Opioid Detox?
Neurontin helps to relieve pain by slowing down the pain signals that travel through the nerves. Neurontin’s effects on the brain’s neurotransmitter chemicals are the reason for its pain-relieving abilities. These chemical secretions in the brain send pain messages to the body’s nerve pathways. Neurontin is believed to reduce the number of chemicals released in the brain.
Neurontin often has the best effect when taken when someone is coming off opioids because that’s when withdrawal symptoms and uncomfortable pain are the strongest. Neurontin can be beneficial because it may have the ability to mimic opiate effects in the body. This means a person can stop taking opiates without suffering harsh withdrawal effects, although this is unproven and only anecdotal evidence is available.
Opioid Detox Program at Allure Detox
The priority of a detox is to help patients stop using drugs and alcohol safely. But Allure’s Medical detox offers more: a renewed love of life.
The first requirement of a detox center is that it protects the health and safety of its patients. This is the least that substance abusers and their families should expect from a decent facility. Without these protections in place, the detox doesn’t serve a purpose in the recovery process. Patient safety should be an ironclad guarantee.
We look forward to working with you and your family to get your lives back on track. Contact us around the clock for a confidential assessment and let’s see if Allure Detox is the right treatment center for yourself or a loved one.