Since Baclofen influences the central nervous system (CNS), it may lead to dizziness, drowsiness, visual disturbances, and issues with coordination or balance. According to the DEA, baclofen is not addictive and it is not listed as a controlled substance. However, a person could potentially become physically dependent if they misuse it, especially by taking it in very high doses. Intensive inpatient treatment means you’ll be admitted to a hospital where you will get 24/7 medical supervision and care. Once you complete the program, you’ll spend time at either a residential facility or an outpatient program to get the continued support you need to prevent relapse and ensure your success. Going through withdrawal at a treatment center can help you get through it safely, and health care professionals may also prescribe medications and therapies to make the process more comfortable for you.

Baclofen Addiction Statistics

Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest not taking baclofen if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Treatment approaches are decided by medical professionals with the patient’s health, living environment, history with substance use, and other factors in mind. Instead, individuals should consult a medical professional and decrease the dosage for a week or two. Eventually, they will likely be able to stop using the drug altogether. Again, it is critical to speak with your doctor about using baclofen as the effects may be different for you than they are for others. This is especially necessary if you have specific mental or physical health concerns or conditions.

Additionally, individuals with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) or a family history of addiction may be at greater risk for the misuse and abuse of Baclofen. Baclofen is a muscle relaxer that is used to treat muscle spasms, pain, and stiffness caused by injuries of the spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, and other issues related to the spine. It affects the body’s central nervous system and works by relaxing the user’s muscles. Baclofen is also currently being researched as a potential treatment option for alcohol addiction. At Swift River, we understand the complexities of baclofen addiction and offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs to help individuals achieve lasting recovery.

Warning Signs of Baclofen Addiction

• Detox, support groups, and aftercare recovery are all tools designed to help your loved one treat their addiction.
• With outpatient treatment, you may be asked to attend therapy sessions throughout the week and have regular appointments with your healthcare providers.
• It’s typically given to patients experiencing muscle stiffness and tightness due to conditions such as spinal cord injuries and diseases.
• Although liver toxicity is not a frequent side effect of Baclofen, monitoring liver function is advisable, particularly for individuals with a history of liver problems.

You’re supposed to take oral forms of baclofen around 3 times a day. When you start taking baclofen, you should do so in small doses at first and then gradually increase to larger doses. When you are stopping taking baclofen, do so in small increments over a period of 1-2 weeks.

Since this is the case, it is important for families to seek support and guidance as they navigate through the challenges that occur as a family member works through recovery. Family therapy helps to equip family units with the education and understanding they need throughout this time. When taken as prescribed by a doctor, it was not found to be particularly addictive. However, when taking the substance with too much of a dose or not even prescribed the medication, it induces a “high,” and becomes addictive when abused. Over time, the person abusing baclofen will need to take more and more drugs to experience the same sensation as the body begins to develop tolerance. If you are physically dependent on baclofen, you may choose to continue your addiction treatment after completing a baclofen detox program.

The research results show that between 3 to 24 months, over 80% of patients that came in at high risk of alcoholism, reduced their risk to the low or moderate level. There were multiple studies conducted in Germany that yielded different results in treating alcoholism. More information and research are needed to confirm that addiction may be a risk with this drug. Luckily, there are other ways to treat addiction that research has shown to be helpful in managing addiction, including psychological and peer support group programs. There are also side effects of taking baclofen that need to be considered before the individual undergoes treatment with this medication.

Baclofen Withdrawal Symptoms

Contact the caring team at Recovery Resource Center for assistance and resources on addiction, treatment centers, and more. Even though Lioresal is a prescription drug, and it is prohibited from buying without one, some patients are trying to get it from unofficial street sources. It cannot be stressed enough that Baclofen must only be taken with a doctor’s prescription and bought only via authorized sellers. In another study, researchers noted tapering off cravings for nicotine in a patient diagnosed with primary nicotine dependence who does not have any psychiatric disorder. The patient was prescribed to take Lioresal, which he eventually abused.

Lioresal for Pain Treatment

After detox, continued baclofen treatment can help you maintain your sobriety. Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Baclofen withdrawal can be deadly if a person suddenly stops taking it after taking it regularly for a period of time. Seeking treatment for baclofen abuse may not be easy, but avoiding the severe and dangerous side effects of misuse, overdose, and withdrawal is essential.

If you’re dealing with baclofen abuse or addiction, either personally or with someone you know, seeking professional help is a crucial and courageous step. Several effective treatment approaches cater to different needs and situations. It is hypothesised that baclofen’s interaction with GABA-B receptors is what is responsible for its ability to null cravings for certain substances, including alcohol. 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 Addiction, Abuse, and Treatment

Although it also relieves pain related to muscle stiffness, it does so differently than opioid analgesics or narcotic painkillers. When Lioresal is abused, some common adverse health effects may be experienced, especially when dosage has been abruptly increased. Patients who start taking the medication should be aware of Baclofen side effects and interactions. Baclofen medication belongs to the group of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists, which are naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the brain. Based on baclofen addictive the FDA label information, the precise Baclofen mechanism of action is not fully known. When released in higher quantities, GABA can lead to issues of coordination and confusion in reflex actions.

Spinal nerve damage may be permanent, so baclofen helps relieve the symptoms of this damage. It can intensify negative effects on your body such as dizziness or acute nausea. In the worst possible scenario, it can affect your central nervous system, resulting in someone overdosing.

Is Baclofen a Drug of Abuse?

But addiction treatment professionals are finding a use for this drug on the rehab scene as well. Baclofen is not ascheduledmedication because the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) determined that the drug does not have a potential for abuse. Baclofen has been used to treat other stimulant addictions such as amphetamine and methamphetamine addiction as well as addiction to over-the-counter drugs that contain stimulants. It is often prescribed in drug rehab centers for dual diagnosis treatment for addiction. 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.

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 medication works to relieve pain and it operates as muscle relaxers. Baclofen also helps to improve the overall movement of muscles as it combats spasms.

When using baclofen, someone could feel similar effects as narcotics but only if they take a high dose of it. A baclofen overdose can only happen when the prescription drug is used in a recreational way and not for a medicinal purpose. Nonetheless, when used on a recreational basis, a baclofen high can also occur.

In many instances, medical detox may be necessary to safely detox from baclofen. Medical detox provides professional assistance and medication-assisted treatment to ensure that you’re comfortable and safe throughout the duration of your baclofen detox program. Outpatient treatment is considered the least intensive level of care.

Is Baclofen Hard on the Body?

Experienced practitioners point out that withdrawal develops more severely among those who have been administered with intrathecal Gablofen. Although Lioresal is not a narcotic, a handful of cases demonstrating Lioresal addiction have been documented. The patient was given the drug in the pill form and eventually abused it, a behavior which the researchers attributed to the mood-elevating properties of the medication. In 2012, NCBI published research on the effects of using the drug for alcoholism, and positive results were found.

As a cardiologist, Ameisen’s memoir about this process was certainly one that captured many people’s attention. Patients with MS experience symptoms of cramping, spasms, and tightness of their muscles. During MS, the immune system incorrectly attacks nerve cells that send electrical signals and allow the body to move. When the immune system attacks nerve cells, the movement begins malfunctioning causing MS symptoms. The cost of a sober living home will vary depending on its location, amenities, rooming options, and recovery support services offered.

Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. It is also used in some drug rehabs to treat conditions of mental health caused by alcohol addiction and substance abuse. The medicine works as a supportive treatment by helping patients’ nerves relax.