Baclofen Abuse, Side Effects, Detox, Withdrawal and Treatment

Instead, a boxed warning aims to promote the safe use of powerful drugs. The FDA continues to monitor a drug’s safety years after the drug has reached the market. There were 27 cases of withdrawal and 6 deaths during the first 9 years after the FDA approved baclofen for marketing.7 However, details on the exact causes and other contributing factors are not known. Unlike gabapentin, baclofen is not controlled throughout the US.

Is Baclofen a Controlled Substance?

• Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser.
• Baclofen comes in tablet form and is generally taken three times daily to reduce discomfort and pain caused by spinal cord injury or disease.
• Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers.
• There have been a few studies dedicated to discovering if Lioresal for opiate addiction is possible, as both alcohol and opioid addiction work through the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways of the brain.
• Baclofen could be able to compensate the deficit in GHB, thereby suppressing dysphoria and possible dependence (Table 1).
• In addition to its ability to curb cravings, Lioresal is also used as a minor tranquilizer, producing an anxiolytic effect.

Physically being around others can help give individuals the emotional support they need. Also, group therapy enables people to freely talk about their experiences with people who truly understand and relate to them. Group therapy also gives recovering individuals an atmosphere in which they can develop healthy and supportive interpersonal relationships. Those in recovery can take advantage of the benefits of group therapy and individual therapy.

• After detox, continued baclofen treatment can help you maintain your sobriety.
• Our admissions coordinators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have as you consider whether treatment at Banyan is right for you or your loved one.
• Even still, some people do abuse baclofen recreationally to get a narcotic-like high.
• Baclofen addiction treatment usually consists of detox, some form of inpatient or outpatient treatment, support groups, and aftercare.
• When the drug is used for several months, it is not surprising that a patient may become psychologically dependent.
• If you need it to be, you can also use baclofen as one of a combination of medications for combination therapy.

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Baclofen causes a pleasurable calming effect, which many may grow to desire often. Some individuals may begin to use baclofen outside of the recommended use. Those who wonder about this should not be concerned; medication-assisted treatment involves expert supervision and guidance.

As a result, the levels of baclofen in your body when taking it could reach higher than normal levels and cause side effects. To counterbalance this, your doctor may prescribe you a lower than normal dosage of baclofen to start. For example, if allergic to baclofen, you could develop trouble breathing and/or swelling of your throat or tongue. Taking baclofen again after a severe allergic reaction could lead to death.

Lioresal for Spasticity

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. Mixing baclofen with other substances is dangerous because it can lead to severe side effects. It is also dangerous because it could cause baclofen to interact with other substances. Because of the calming effect and the feel-good increase in dopamine levels that baclofen has on the body, many people start misusing baclofen. One way that people misuse baclofen is by taking more than what is prescribed to them. People with a history of strokes could develop more side effects to baclofen than the average person.

Recovery Connection

But addiction treatment professionals are finding a use for this drug on the rehab scene as well. In cases where users have developed an addiction to the medication, rehab centers are helpful. Various addiction treatment programs exist, making sure that each patient can successfully recover and stop drug abuse. Lioresal is known to be prescribed for prolonged intake if used for treating addiction or for spasticity management.

If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to baclofen then contact a rehab center near you today to begin treatment. Addiction treatment specialists in an inpatient or outpatient facility can provide the care, therapy, and support needed to get free of addiction. Here at Sana Lake Recovery Center, we understand the importance of helping people find freedom from substance use disorders. Our team offers compassionate and comprehensive care to those who are working to end drug and alcohol use. So, whether you are suffering from addiction or you are struggling to maintain freedom from this disorder, we’re here to help.

Although Lioresal is primarily used baclofen addiction as a muscle relaxant to treat spasticity and pain in muscles, it is also used for a few purposes that are not indicated in FDA-approved Baclofen uses. Lioresal comes into play as a drug that allows clients not to feel the compulsion to take alcohol. In the case of mixing Lioresal and alcohol, it can cause dangerous effects in the person who combines them due to the depressant effects of both substances. Avoid using baclofen when muscle tone is crucial for balance and movement during certain activities.2.

What Are the Side Effects of Baclofen Abuse?

Those who suffer from substance use disorders should never attempt to end substance use without help. It’s both important and even necessary for individuals to seek assistance from others. This certainly remains true in cases of baclofen dependence and addiction. ” This is a valid question and a concern that recovery centers should certainly address.

Baclofen and other GABA-B agonists microinjected into the VTA suppress alcohol-seeking behavior (70), alcohol consumption (71), and alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (72). Microinjection of baclofen in the nucleus accumbens also decreases binge-like alcohol drinking (73). Additionally, some individuals may be more susceptible to the adverse side effects of baclofen, such as the elderly or those with kidney problems or poor renal function. Individuals with conditions like galactose intolerance, active peptic ulceration, and porphyria should also avoid taking this medication.

Withdrawal

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. Another way people misuse baclofen is by mixing it with other substances to increase their feel-good effects. If you misuse baclofen while also taking alcohol, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or other muscle relaxants, it can cause you to experience weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, and imbalance. Other people that could develop more side effects to baclofen include the elderly, and people with impaired renal function.