It’s not a cure for certain conditions like MS, but it does provide a way for people to get other forms of treatment like physical therapy. One of the reasons people might question if baclofen is a narcotic is because it acts on the central nervous system. Narcotics affect the central nervous system, but in different ways.
The role of GABA is to block or slow certain nerve signals, so it has a calming effect. Baclofen is used off-label to help with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be intense and potentially life-threatening. Researchers believe baclofen may be promising in reducing cravings and alleviating alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but more research is needed. Never stop taking baclofen or reduce your dose without talking to your doctor. Physical dependence on baclofen can look like withdrawal symptoms when the drug is suddenly discontinued. These symptoms may include increased muscle spasticity, itching, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and tingling sensations.
- This drug can be prescribed for children and adults between the ages of 0 and 18 years to manage muscle spasticity and related conditions.
- During the confidential evaluation, Discovery’s clinicians will determine the appropriate level of care for you.
- The exact doses of abuse vary among people misusing baclofen.
- We understand that there are no shortcuts on the path to recovery, and our compassionate team offers unwavering support and intensive care throughout your healing journey.
- It’s important to avoid any activities that require your full attention until you know how this medication affects you, such as driving a car or operating machinery.
Insurance Coverage for Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you care about is seeking support for substance abuse and addiction challenges, we are here to offer our assistance. If a patient is primarily using baclofen for intoxication or recreation rather than therapeutic purposes, the risk of addiction rises substantially. The motivation behind baclofen use should be assessed before and during the course of treatment. Patients with a personal or family history of addiction may be more prone to problematic use or dependence on baclofen. Long-term residential treatment provides structured care in the therapeutic community or a sober is baclofen habit forming living home.
With the euphoric effects that it can cause and the high levels of misuse that it has, of course, it is. If you cannot stop taking baclofen without experiencing withdrawals, then it means that you have developed a dependence on it. Mixing alcohol and baclofen can even increase your blood pressure and heart rate and cause you to have seizures. Drinking alcohol while taking baclofen can also cause you to unknowingly overdose on baclofen.
Is a Baclofen Overdose Dangerous?
- If you need it to be, you can also use baclofen as one of a combination of medications for combination therapy.
- One way that people misuse baclofen is by taking more than what is prescribed to them.
- Because the sudden stop of baclofen can lead to dangerous effects, it’s important to slowly wean yourself off of the medication during detox.
- Researchers believe baclofen may show promise in being able to reduce symptoms in patients with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- Due to these risks, people are warned to keep baclofen prescriptions away from children or teens, as well as anyone who doesn’t have a prescription for it.
Increasing the release of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that block electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord. Prolonged misuse can lead to addiction, which is what happens when a person is unable to stop taking a substance even though the individual is aware of the harm it causes. To overcome addiction successfully, a person needs professional treatment. People with kidney problems or kidney disease may have issues clearing baclofen from their bodies.
Not tapering your baclofen dosage could lead to severe side effects. This class of drugs has been in the national and worldwide spotlight in recent years because of the addiction and dependence they cause. Even in people who are prescribed opioids for pain relief, it’s possible to become addicted. When a physician is discussing prescribing a patient baclofen, it’s natural they might want to know if it’s a narcotic. This is because of the side effects of narcotics and their habit-forming potential.
The treatment aims to resocialize addicted individuals and helps them reintegrate into society with minimal problems. Depending on the severity of the addiction, you might need long-term residential treatment for 6 months to 12 months. Thus, the DEA has not yet categorized it in the list of controlled substances. Nonetheless, it has been more than two decades since the first case of abuse was reported.
ACTIONS
It is important to notify a physician of any of the above side effects. There are some rarer side effects that are potentially dangerous. They include hallucinations, depression, and profound confusion. It is important to report those side effects to a doctor immediately.
With its calming effects, some people may abuse baclofen to relax and gain a high. It may also be abused recreationally by combining it with other drugs to amplify the effects. Mixing baclofen with other drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids, sleep aids, muscle relaxers, or alcohol, can have dangerous and unpredictable results. Tolerance happens when the body becomes less responsive to the effects of a substance, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effect.
Long-Term Residential Treatment
When a person stops taking baclofen as directed suddenly, there is a risk of hallucinations, seizures, fever, and confusion. Oftentimes, people will combine baclofen with central nervous system depressants to increase its effects. Other substances that people often mix baclofen with to receive a high are opioids, alcohol, and amphetamines. Other people that could develop more side effects to baclofen include the elderly, and people with impaired renal function.
Many avoid treatment in fear of being labeled an alcoholic while others have failed to find an effective and sustainable solution. If you have an alcohol addiction, do not use baclofen on your own to overcome your addiction. According to The National Library of Medicine, using baclofen for alcohol use disorder has shown promising results over the past couple of years and may be used to treat this condition. Never stop taking baclofen without talking with your doctor, especially if you have used high doses for over a month.
They may gradually decrease your dose over weeks or months to minimize withdrawal effects. Addiction treatment almost always starts with detox, also called detoxification. During detox, baclofen or other drugs are gradually removed from the body. Withdrawal is common, and you may need to take other prescription drugs to stabilize your condition.
Long-term network alterations
Studies show that baclofen can be just as effective as diazepam in treating the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Additionally, some professionals use it to treat people with cocaine dependence. Baclofen is primarily used to treat muscle spasms and spasticity from conditions like multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries.
Because baclofen and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants, mixing them heightens both of their effects to dangerous levels. People who take baclofen may mix it with alcohol to heighten their euphoric and calming effects. This is not wise as the extreme levels of drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, changes in mood, and agitation that mixing baclofen and alcohol will give you is dangerous. If you are taking other medications for health reasons, make sure to tell your doctor before you also start taking baclofen.
Because you will go through an intense detox during your baclofen addiction treatment, it is wise to attend an inpatient or residential treatment program afterward. That way you can receive the 24/7 care that you’ll need to remain sober after treatment is done. Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to dependence and addiction.
Though experts don’t fully understand how the drug works, the chemical structure is believed to be similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This neurotransmitter blocks or slows nerve signals to produce a calming effect.1 When someone takes baclofen, it relaxes the muscles to relieve cramping and tightness. Although the person takes baclofen for opiate withdrawals, baclofen withdrawals may start if the individual stops. The person may experience other negative symptoms and may be more likely to relapse.
