Still, it can lead to side effects, such as withdrawal symptoms and an allergic reaction when mixed with alcohol. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant mainly prescribed for relieving muscle spasms and tension. It is particularly effective for conditions like certain spinal disorders and diseases affecting the spinal cord, such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. ” This is a valid question and a concern that recovery centers should certainly address. It’s important for those who are suffering from addiction to find hope at addiction treatment centers that have their best interest in mind.

This is because it’s commonly used to treat an existing addiction to alcohol or other substances. Many people who have a co-occurring mental illness also take prescription medications. This makes it hard to tell whether the signs of abuse are due to those medications or baclofen. Should this occur in a person’s life, it is absolutely necessary to seek assistance from addiction treatment specialists. Through professional treatment programs, those who suffer from addiction can break free from substance use disorders. Baclofen is a prescription drug that individuals can use to treat muscle spasms.

Clinical experience of baclofen in alcohol dependence: A chart review

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 baclofen dependence of smoked CPD. He was diagnosed to have primary nicotine dependence without any comorbid psychiatric illness.

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. While baclofen can be a good therapy for those suffering from certain conditions, it may also cause severe side effects in the long run. Taking large doses can be unbearable for some, even before the signs of addiction set in. Since this drug treats the symptoms of addiction and not the addiction itself, patients are likely to swap one addiction for another. Although baclofen withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and distressing, they are often part of detoxing.

Is Baclofen a Controlled Substance?

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.

Taking baclofen again after a severe allergic reaction could lead to death. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest not taking baclofen if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Many people wonder if baclofen is addictive and if is there such a thing as a baclofen withdrawal. To find out the answer to this question, you must first learn about the different ways that people use and misuse baclofen and the effects that such use and misuse causes. It is quite clear how important it is to be aware of how to stop taking Baclofen. There is always a possibility of developing severe symptoms when weaning off the drug.

Baclofen Side Effects –  Oral

If you think that your baclofen consumption is problematic, then it’s a good idea to seek help from a treatment facility like Zinnia Health. Continue reading for more information about baclofen withdrawal and addiction. If you are suffering from a baclofen addiction, you should consider entering our prescription drug detox program. If you are taking other medications for health reasons, make sure to tell your doctor before you also start taking baclofen.

Once the user becomes dependent, the body will have difficulties adjusting when the dose is lowered or stopped. Essentially, the brain and body become dependent on baclofen to function. Treatment approaches are decided by medical professionals with the patient’s health, living environment, history with substance use, and other factors in mind. However, additional clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of baclofen for addiction treatment. More dangerous and severe side effects of baclofen include seizures and difficulty breathing. Pharmacologic adjuncts for the treatment of baclofen withdrawalsyndrome.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

That said, certain behavioral changes might help identify abuse. If you are nursing an infant, talk to your doctor before taking this drug. Misusing or abusing the drug can be very dangerous and may cause death.

In this type of treatment program, you will be able to live in a drug- and alcohol-free environment, away from any negative influences that may exist at home. 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.

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. Moreover, abusing more than one drug significantly increases the risk of overdose.

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. A baclofen pump is a method of administering the drug directly into the spinal fluid of patients. A baclofen pump requires invasive surgery to use and is not recommended for all patients suffering from spasticity. Read our guide to find out more about baclofen pumps and intrathecal baclofen treatment. If treatment for baclofen overdoses is administered immediately then full recovery is often possible within 72 hours.

The generic medication is also used off-label to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Doses higher than 300 mg/day are useful clinically in alcoholics with mostly benign side effects. The patient “X” developed insomnia, irritability, anger outburst, and tremor of hand even when the dose was slowly tapered and stopped. In summary, our clinical experience with baclofen suggests that it definitively reduces alcohol craving and alcohol consumption in those with alcohol dependence at least in the early period of treatment. It benefits even those who are still in precontemplation stage of motivation.

More About Other Drugs

The drug starts working within a few hours after entering the body as a pill or solution, and blood levels of the drug peak within 2 to 3 hours following use. 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. Reducing the release of neurotransmitters that increase electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord.

Baclofen withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe and can often be very similar to alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence. Comparing Baclofen vs. Flexeril, the symptoms will also be almost the same even if their care is quite different. That is why a patient needs to learn how to stop taking Baclofen, and how to handle the Baclofen withdrawal symptoms.

• 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.
• Addiction can affect many areas of someone’s life, so rebuilding can be a challenge.
• Although many of these withdrawal symptoms will subside over time, the psychological effects of addiction can be long-lasting.
• The primary function of Lioresal in alcohol addiction treatment is to help curb the craving and, as such, increase the dopamine level.

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. In the early 2000s, an individual by the name of Oliver Ameisen provided details about his recovery from alcoholism with the help of baclofen.

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. Both of these methods can help people as they seek liberty from substance dependence.

After initial denial, “X” accepted the increased intake to be three tablets instead of one. He was advised to adhere to the prescription and return for review after 2 weeks. Before his next appointment, his hostel mate came to us and complained about the daily abuse of drugs. Interview with “X” revealed abusive intake of 20 tablets of 30 mg making a total dose of 600 mg baclofen every day. He described the sense of wellbeing and pleasure without apparent reason after baclofen ingestion and also craving for the drug. That day night, he complained of insomnia, irritability, anger outburst, and tremor of upper extremities.