Likewise, when you discontinue baclofen, you’ll “titrate down” very slowly until you’re weaned off of it completely. If you’re taking baclofen as part of alcohol recovery, avoiding alcohol completely is essential. The confusion often comes from the fact that baclofen has a calming effect and is only available by prescription. However, its mechanism, purpose, and classification are entirely different from narcotic drugs. It’s a prescription medication, but it’s not placed in any of the DEA’s scheduling categories.
- Ultimately, these Dutch doctors admitted that they didn’t want to close the door on baclofen — but they needed more research to determine how effective it really is.
- While baclofen is generally considered low-risk for abuse, it still needs to be used responsibly and under medical supervision, especially when being used in recovery settings.
- Despite its muscle relaxant properties and interaction with the CNS, the DEA does not consider baclofen to have any potential for abuse.
- Baseline assessment revealed 48.7% of the sample was in precontemplation phase for alcohol use and 70% reported severe and persistent craving.
Baclofen Overdose
- If you’re dealing with baclofen abuse or addiction, either personally or with someone you know, seeking professional help is a crucial and courageous step.
- This is what happens when a person depends on the substance, and the individual experiences withdrawal if the drug is suddenly stopped.
- At Swift River, we understand the complexities of baclofen addiction and offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs to help individuals achieve lasting recovery.
- Since baclofen acts similarly to GABA, it’s believed that it blocks certain nerve activity that controls skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation.
Baclofen is the generic name for a muscle relaxant that is prescribed under the brand names Gablofen® and Lioresal®. Baclofen can alleviate discomfort but can not cure muscle-related conditions. Addiction is marked by compulsive drug abuse despite the negative consequences it causes. People with a substance use disorder will find that they struggle to stop abusing substances, even though they may want to or try.
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Instead, baclofen affects GABA-B receptors in the brain to help calm overactive nerve activity, which is why it’s used to treat muscle spasms and, in some cases, alcohol cravings. Beyond its original use, baclofen has also gained attention for its off-label role in treating alcohol use disorder. In certain cases, doctors may prescribe it to help reduce alcohol cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, or manage anxiety related to recovery. When taken as prescribed by a doctor, it was not found to be particularly addictive.
Baclofen is similar to the naturally-occurring brain neurotransmitter GABA, which is released in the brain and the central nervous system to relax the activity of other nerves. Since baclofen acts similarly to GABA, it’s believed that it blocks certain nerve activity that controls skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation. Specifically, baclofen can be used to treat skeletal muscle contraction, muscle clonus, pain from disorders like multiple sclerosis and rigidity. For the most part, baclofen is taken orally, but it can also be injected into the spinal cord for patients with severe cases of spasticity.Off-label uses of baclofeninclude managing alcohol and drug dependence.
Baclofen and Alcohol
We’ll break down what baclofen is, how it works, and most importantly, whether it’s considered a controlled substance or a narcotic. Signs of baclofen abuse may include excessive sedation, changes in behavior, secretive behavior, and neglecting responsibilities. Depressants lower the neurotransmission levels in your brain, which creates a mellow, relaxed feeling. Some people like the feeling of lowered inhibitions from alcohol together with muscle relaxation from baclofen. Edmund has an extensive background in SUD research and medical writing, working collaboratively with doctors, substance use disorder specialists, and clinical experts across all content on Recovered. Most studies have shown that it has something to do with the way in which baclofen interacts with the GABA receptors in the brain.
ITB pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
However, they also warned that the number of adverse events and serious side effects was greater with baclofen as well. Toward that end, he spent the last decade of his life strongly promoting the treatment, and even wrote a bestselling book in 2008, The End of My Addiction, which chronicled his success with the drug. Subsequent drug trials in France found that Dr. Ameisen’s recommended treatment caused significant numbers of patients to either give up their heavy drinking or moderate it considerably. It may not work for everyone, and it should never be used as a standalone treatment. In some cases, especially with long-term use, stopping baclofen too suddenly can cause withdrawal can baclofen be abused symptoms like anxiety, tremors, or agitation. While baclofen is generally considered low-risk for abuse, it still needs to be used responsibly and under medical supervision, especially when being used in recovery settings.
In addition, researchers have found that baclofen also works with GABA receptors to reduce anxiety. In doing so, it resembles the clinical activity of other anxiety-reducing drugs such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin and other benzodiazepines. Because of this, baclofen is also considered an effective treatment for PTSD. Baclofen is in a class of prescription drugs known as skeletal muscle relaxants. As the name suggests, it acts directly on spinal cord nerves to relax the spasms that cause the jerking, twitching, and involuntary “jack-knifing” caused by neurological orders. Baclofen also works on the central nervous system to relieve pain and muscle stiffness, which can be profound and even crippling in an MS spasticity attack.
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. Many people live with anxiety, fear, or addiction without realizing how much it’s affecting their daily lives. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure about your symptoms, or just looking for answers — we’re here to listen, without judgment. Like other narrative reviews, this review did not follow a specific set ofevidence-based criteria to select or evaluate the included references, potentiallyintroducing bias. In addition, the lack of rigid methodology in the selection andevaluation process prevents replicability.
While baclofen has a lower risk of addiction compared to other substances, it can still cause physical and psychological dependence with prolonged misuse. If you are looking for treatment for substance abuse or addiction, you’re not alone—we’re here to support you every step of the way. For those who require more structured support, inpatient rehabilitation offers a comprehensive treatment environment. This residential approach provides intensive therapy, both in individual and group settings, and includes various educational and therapeutic activities. These programs are designed to address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the psychological ones, helping to build a strong foundation for recovery. I’ve been using 40-70mgs about 4 times a week on top of other drugs but something is making me feel really bad I can’t go a day sober and I’m trying to slowly quit things.
Since many users consumed locally brewed alcohol which can have varied strength of alcohol content, changes in alcohol consumption are recorded in terms of percentage change from pretreatment use. Yes, Baclofen can be abused to produce sedative effects or for recreational purposes. Therapy can also help people overcome past trauma or cope with the effects of it.
These risks are why it’s so important to take baclofen exactly as prescribed, especially if it’s being used in a treatment plan for alcohol use disorder. The term “narcotic” is often misunderstood and sometimes used loosely to describe any strong or sedating medication. Medically and legally, narcotics typically refer to opioid drugs, such as morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl, that are used for pain relief and have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Treatment for baclofen abuse typically involves a combination of medical detoxification, counseling, and support groups to address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Yes, consuming high doses of baclofen can lead to overdose, which may manifest as severe drowsiness, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression. Abusing baclofen and abusing alcohol puts you at a higher risk for addiction.