Gabapentin is a prescription medication, but there is a growing concern regarding its misuse and abuse. The increasing prevalence of gabapentin abuse presents significant public health challenges.
Understanding Gabapentin’s Intended Use
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain agent. It is approved to treat partial seizures in individuals with epilepsy. The medication also serves to relieve postherpetic neuralgia, which is nerve pain that can persist after shingles. Additionally, gabapentin is used for managing moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome. Its mechanism involves strengthening the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that calms overactive nerve signals.
Why Gabapentin Is Abused
Individuals may abuse gabapentin for the psychoactive effects it can produce. These include feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and calmness, sometimes described as an opioid-like or marijuana-like “high.” Some users also report improved mood, reduced inhibition, or increased sociability. The drug’s perceived accessibility and its non-controlled status at the federal level, unlike many opioids, may contribute to its misuse. People may also use gabapentin to intensify the effects of other substances, particularly opioids, or to self-medicate for conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, or withdrawal symptoms from other drugs.
Methods of Gabapentin Abuse
Abuse of gabapentin often involves taking higher doses than prescribed or using the medication without a legitimate prescription. Combining gabapentin with other central nervous system depressants is particularly dangerous. This includes substances such as opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, which can significantly intensify the desired effects while dramatically increasing health risks. Some individuals may also crush gabapentin tablets to snort them, seeking a more rapid onset of euphoria or to potentiate other drugs. Gabapentin is also reported to be used as a “cutting agent” in street heroin.
Consequences of Gabapentin Abuse
Gabapentin abuse can lead to adverse health effects, both in the short and long term, with common immediate consequences including severe drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and blurred vision. When combined with other substances, gabapentin significantly increases the risk of respiratory depression, which is a dangerous slowing of breathing. Long-term abuse can result in physical dependence, meaning the body adapts to the drug and requires it to function normally. If gabapentin use is suddenly stopped, withdrawal symptoms can emerge, including anxiety, insomnia, agitation, pain, and, in rare cases, seizures. The risk of overdose is also elevated, especially when gabapentin is mixed with other depressants, leading to severe complications or death.