Baclofen Abuse due to Its Hypomanic Effect in Patients with Alcohol Dependence and Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder

It is used to reduce anxiety as that is one of the main reasons patients resist alcohol addiction. Also, the dose needed when treating alcohol addiction is significantly low compared to other drugs such as diazepam or other benzodiazepines. Other medications used for anxiety treatment may require increasing amounts to continue building tolerance and might become a problem in the long run. Due to its addictive and dependence impacts, this class of drugs has been at the center of national and global focus in recent years.

Baclofen Abuse and Addiction Treatment Options

The DEA categorizes substances based on their abuse potential and approved medical use. As per the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), there are Five drug schedules. If treatment for baclofen overdoses is administered immediately then full recovery is often possible within 72 hours. Baclofen is used to relieve discomfort caused by muscle pains, spasms, strains, cramping, and tightness.

Baclofen Addiction, Abuse, and Treatment

• Abrupt discontinuation of an addictive drug causes many undesirable effects.
• If your loved one appears unconscious and unresponsive, they could be suffering from a baclofen-induced coma.
• You should always seek help from experienced professionals only because detox without medical supervision can be fatal.
• In addition to relaxing muscles, baclofen may also help reduce pain, prevent spasms, and cause drowsiness.
• On understanding his change of behavior after abusing baclofen 80 mg they stopped baclofen but immediately the patient becomes depressed like before.
• For these reasons, people are advised to keep baclofen away from kids or teens, including anybody who has no prescription for it.

This respiratory depression, if left without treatment at a hospital, can lead to coma and even death. Lioresal is an effective medication; however, it can still cause side effects. When it is abused and taken in higher amounts than prescribed, there is a risk of Baclofen overdose. Drinking alcohol on Lioresal or mixing it with other substances can also become a cause of Baclofen toxicity. An acute dose can baclofen be abused of 20 mg of baclofen can decrease the palatability of cigarettes.10 The patient might have substituted his cigarette with baclofen resulting in massive overdose of the drug. Although its ready availability and good tolerance can make it an effective smoking cessation aid, the same can increase its chances of being used as a drug of abuse.

The timeline for baclofen withdrawal varies depending on the person and how long they’ve been abusing baclofen. The detox method (taper or cold turkey) will also have an impact on how long baclofen withdrawal lasts and how severe it is. While baclofen isn’t particularly addictive when taken as prescribed, any drug that produces a high can become addictive when abused. It does produce tolerance, which is a sign of developing dependence. Tolerance occurs when the brain alters its neurotransmitter activity in an attempt to normalize brain function with the presence of the extra chemicals in the brain. As a result, increasingly larger doses are needed to get the previous effects.

Baclofen Addiction: Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal, and Treatment

• Detox is the first step of treatment and involves allowing traces of the drug to leave the body for brain function to return to normal.
• Since your body is constantly trying to compensate for regular baclofen usage, you will feel ill if you quit taking baclofen suddenly.
• You can also misuse baclofen by combining it with other mind-altering substances, such as alcohol or opiates.
• 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.
• Generally, enrolling in a residential treatment facility requires a commitment of 21 days or more.
• He acknowledged the lack of craving for nicotine when he came for review a week later.

Usually, for muscle spasms, the medicine is administered through a pump that delivers the medication directly to the spinal cord. Side effects of the pump are considered to be much less compared to when it is taken in the oral form. Therefore, the pump is prescribed to individuals who have trouble tolerating its oral forms. People who start abusing Lioresal can neglect the doctor’s advice and take it in higher doses or combine it with alcohol. As each body is unique, for some, it can cause nothing but slight discomfort.

You deserve excellent care and a rewarding life in recovery.

Baclofen is a medication that acts on the nervous system, specifically targeting the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It modulates GABA receptors, leading to a reduction in nerve activity and muscle tone. This mechanism of action allows Baclofen to function as a muscle relaxant, alleviating muscle stiffness and spasms. The biggest challenge with an intensive outpatient program is that it requires a strong support system, a healthy home environment, and the ability to get to and from multiple appointments. In recent years, medical professionals have also been prescribing baclofen for “off-label” purposes. This means that, while the FDA has approved baclofen for treating the above conditions, it’s also prescribed to treat conditions not yet approved by the FDA.

Effects of Baclofen

Signs of overdose include muscle weakness, hypothermia, and a dangerously slow heart rate. The primary function of Lioresal in alcohol addiction treatment is to help curb the craving and, as such, increase the dopamine level. Taking Tramadol and Baclofen together to relieve pain can result in serious adverse effects for some individuals.

As with any other type of drug abuse, too much baclofen can also lead to sudden death. This is why seeking addiction treatment is critical to protecting your well-being and ensuring a safe recovery. Without it, individuals risk severe and possibly permanent side effects. In the case of baclofen, kidney damage, liver disease, and memory impairment are just some outcomes that could permanently impact your quality of life with baclofen misuse. Baclofen is typically given in small doses of around 15 to 80 milligrams a day. The drug has a short half-life, which means that its effects are quickly felt and quickly dissipate.

However, one must be very cautious in using it because of its abuse potential due to its mood elevating property. One possible positive outcome of this report may be that it may be a potential area of research to find out whether baclofen can be used in the treatment of resistant depression. Doctors have felt forced to taper or discontinue prescribed opioids. In an attempt to find alternatives for pain management, they have increased the number of gabapentin and baclofen prescriptions.