Gabapentin Misuse: Signs, Risks, and What to Do

When people use gabapentin, a prescription nerve pain medication originally approved for seizures and postherpetic neuralgia. Also known as Neurontin, it’s often prescribed for back pain, anxiety, or insomnia—but it’s not harmless. What many don’t realize is that gabapentin can be misused, especially when taken with opioids or alcohol. Unlike opioids, it doesn’t trigger the same intense high, but some users report a calming, dissociative effect that leads to dependence. The FDA has warned that gabapentin can increase the risk of respiratory depression when combined with other central nervous system depressants—and that’s where things turn dangerous.

People who misuse gabapentin often take higher doses than prescribed, crush pills to snort them, or combine them with substances like heroin or prescription painkillers to boost the high. This isn’t just risky—it’s life-threatening. A 2021 study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that nearly 20% of gabapentin-related emergency visits involved mixing it with opioids. Symptoms of misuse include dizziness, slurred speech, extreme drowsiness, confusion, and loss of coordination. Over time, users build tolerance and need more to feel the same effect. Withdrawal isn’t usually deadly like alcohol or benzodiazepines, but it can cause anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and even seizures if stopped cold turkey.

Why does this happen? Because gabapentin is still widely seen as "safe"—it’s not a controlled substance in most places, and many doctors don’t screen for misuse. But safety doesn’t mean it’s non-addictive. If you’ve been taking gabapentin longer than a few weeks and find yourself thinking about it between doses, or feel anxious when you miss a pill, you might be developing dependence. The same goes for anyone using it without a prescription. drug dependence, a condition where the body adapts to a substance and requires it to function normally doesn’t always look like street drug use. It can start quietly, with a doctor’s script.

And it’s not just about the person taking it. Gabapentin misuse often overlaps with broader opioid crises. Emergency rooms see more cases now where gabapentin is found in overdose deaths alongside fentanyl or oxycodone. That’s why pharmacists are being trained to flag prescriptions that look unusual—like multiple refills in a short time, or prescriptions from different doctors. prescription drug abuse, the use of medication in a way not intended by the prescriber doesn’t always involve buying pills off the street. Sometimes, it’s just taking more than you were told to.

If you’re worried about your own use—or someone else’s—the first step isn’t shame. It’s awareness. Talk to your doctor. Don’t quit cold. Ask about tapering plans. Look for support groups that focus on medication dependence, not just alcohol or opioids. The good news? Many people recover without needing rehab. With the right guidance, the body can reset. The key is catching it early before it becomes a full-blown habit.

Below, you’ll find real stories and medical insights from people who’ve dealt with gabapentin misuse, how it shows up in drug interactions, and what steps actually help when you’re trying to stop. These aren’t just articles—they’re practical guides for people who need answers, not judgment.