Olivier Ameisen, a physician who suffered from AUD claimed in a 2005 paper that he was able to nullify the desire for alcohol with a 270mg daily dose of baclofen. Though his case study on himself seemed to prove the efficacy of baclofen for treating addiction, further studies have failed to designate exactly why it works. Baclofen is also occasionally prescribed as a substance use disorder treatment, specifically for those going through opioid and alcohol withdrawal.1 Baclofen comes as a tablet, solution, or powder. There are certain drugs that are dangerous when taken with baclofen and greatly increase the risk of fatal overdose.

• Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare.
• Yes, using baclofen without medical supervision or in excessive amounts can lead to severe side effects and pose a significant health risk.
• Although baclofen is less likely to be abused than more conventional addictive medications, regular usage can cause addiction.
• In addition to relaxing muscles, baclofen may also help reduce pain, prevent spasms, and cause drowsiness.
• The detox method (taper or cold turkey) will also have an impact on how long baclofen withdrawal lasts and how severe it is.

He was prescribed with mirtazepine 15 mg daily at bedtime and lorazepam 2 mg. He continued for two months but there was no significant improvement. Therefore he was prescribed with escitalopram 20 mg daily along with the previous medication. He was always complaining of sleep problem in spite of all those medications. So he was prescribed with quetiapine 100 mg daily along with mirtazepine 15 mg, escitalopram 20 mg, lorazepam 2 mg, and baclofen 20 mg daily.

Contact the caring team at Recovery Resource Center for assistance and resources on addiction, treatment centers, and more. Its sedating, anti-anxiety properties can encourage a patient to believe they only feel better while on the drug, and often causes an increase in the frequency and number of doses taken. The cost of a sober living home will vary depending on its location, amenities, rooming options, and recovery support services offered.

How Is Baclofen Used in Addiction Treatment?

Though can baclofen be abused baclofen isn’t seen as an addictive or habit-forming drug, it can cause physical dependence with prolonged use. This isn’t the same as an addiction, which involves a compulsive need to continue using a drug despite its negative effects. While baclofen is not classified as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act or an addictive drug, it can cause physical dependence with prolonged use. Regularly using baclofen can cause several fundamental health problems. You may find yourself feeling drowsy and fatigued, but at the same time, baclofen may also cause insomnia.

How can baclofen abuse be treated?

These sedative effects can be intensified in individuals who are also taking other sedative medications or consuming alcohol. Regardless of the purpose for which the medicine is prescribed, there is a risk of Lioresal poisoning if caution is not taken. It can be prevented through adequate use of the pills, patient education, deep insight into the patient’s health, and raising awareness among adults and adolescents. Recreational use of the substance is not encouraged nor allowed, particularly among patients who don’t know anything about how much Baclofen to overdose, thus jeopardizing their health and life. All information provided in featured rehab listings is verified by the facility officials. The details are kept up to date to help people with addiction treatment needs get the most full and precise facts about the rehabilitation facility.

• When used exactly as prescribed by a physician, it is safe and effective and has a fairly low abuse potential, according to the U.S.
• Baclofen addiction and dependence require professional treatment.
• Higher than recommended dosages represent another element of risk.
• You may face challenges along the way, but combining the power of hope with practical guidance and tools, you’ll be taking steps towards better health.
• Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.Read More.

Instead, you will have to visit the facility 3 to 4 times and spend a few hours during each visit. A doctor may prescribe the drug only if the benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. Reducing the release of neurotransmitters that increase electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord. A baclofen pump is a method of administering the drug directly into the spinal fluid of patients.

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Baclofen can help with alcohol and drug addiction treatment by altering the chemical processes that contribute to substance abuse. Because the drug mimics GABA and has a calming effect, it increases dopamine levels and may reduce cravings for an addictive substance. Baclofen is the generic version of a muscle relaxer that’s used to treat muscle spasticity, which is common with conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. 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.

Long-term Effects

Most notably, the injectable form comes with a boxed warning on the label. Boxed warnings (or black box warnings) inform prescribers about the potentially fatal risks of a prescription drug. An injectable form is also available, which is injected into the spinal cord by a medical professional. Brands in the US include Lioresal, Kemstro, Ozobax, and Gablofen.

What Is Baclofen and Is It a Controlled Substance?

Of course, like other pills, adverse reactions may occur, such as anxiety, drowsiness, weakness, headache, vomiting, nausea, and other Lioresal side effects. Lioresal is poisonous and toxic in large quantities due to the impact on the nervous system. Those who are engaged in this activity can end up in a prison or rehabilitation center. People who abuse Lioresal by taking it in high quantities or by risky routes of administration, e.g., snorting, are under the severe risk of damaging their health and experiencing an OD. Detox, support groups, and aftercare recovery are all tools designed to help your loved one treat their addiction. Once breathing is established, move them into a recovery position and wait for help to arrive.

In severe withdrawal, your doctor may give a low dose of baclofen. A 24-year-old male “X,” smoking 24 cigarettes per day (CPD) attended our outpatient department for smoking cessation. He was referred to us by the physician who treated his lower respiratory tract infection. He expressed craving, anxiety, insomnia, difficulty in defecation, and mild tremor on reducing the number of smoked CPD.

Baclofen doesn’t have mind-altering effects like euphoria, but it can still be abused. Some people may take high doses or recreational doses to experience relaxation from the drug’s calming effects. Others may combine baclofen with other drugs to amplify the effects, such as alcohol. It’s extremely dangerous to mix baclofen with other drugs, however.

When abusing baclofen, either by consuming an excess amount or mixing it with alcohol or other substances, it can make someone feel euphoric when high. Baclofen users who seek this sensation often mix drugs with opioids, alcohol, or amphetamines. Baclofen activates GABA receptors, which inhibit nerve activity and soothe the nervous system.

It is critical because baclofen is slowly removed from the brain. The stored drug in the brain can cause sedation long after the blood levels of the drug are within the normal range. 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.