Pregabalin Addiction
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Drug addiction can affect anybody, regardless of age, gender, or background. Although many people think prescription drugs are safe in terms of addiction, this, unfortunately, is not the case. Prescription drugs can be as addictive as illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
Prescription drug addiction, including pregabalin addiction, can impact all areas of your life – from your relationships to your finances. Addiction can also take its toll on your physical and mental health.
The good news is that there is help out there for you. If you think you may have a pregabalin addiction, we can help you to break this addiction.
Our friendly team of addiction experts at Help4Addiction can find the right rehab treatment centre for you to help you overcome your pregabalin addiction and return to your drug-free life.
This page will tell you all about pregabalin addiction, including pregabalin abuse/ Lyrica abuse, pregabalin withdrawal, and what to expect from pregabalin addiction treatment.
What is Pregabalin?
Pregabalin, also known as Lyrica, is a form of prescription medication used to treat a variety of conditions – such as epilepsy, generalised anxiety disorder, and nerve pain.
It is currently a Class C drug in the UK – and is a controlled substance. This means that it is a prescription-only medication, and should be used as such.
When used to treat epilepsy, it can prevent seizures from occurring by reducing the abnormal activity within your brain. Likewise, when used to treat anxiety disorder, pregabalin works to prevent your brain from releasing certain chemicals – the chemicals that cause feelings of anxiety.
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Pregabalin for Nerve Pain
As well as being used to treat epilepsy symptoms, this Class-C controlled substance works to treat nerve pain by affecting the pain messages that travel through your central nervous system, making it an effective pain reliever.
When taking pregabalin to treat central neuropathic pain and peripheral pain (e.g diabetic neuropathy), the recommended maximum dose is 600mg per day in 2-3 doses.
For focal seizures, the recommended dose begins at 25ml, moving up to 50mg daily, and increasing at 7-day intervals up to 600 mg daily.
If you take pregabalin for anxiety, you will typically be given a 150mg daily dose to begin with, moving up to 300mg, with a maximum of 600 mg daily if necessary.
Side Effects of Pregabalin
Pregabalin, like many other prescription medications, can have various side effects. Although pregabalin is only available on prescription, some people take it recreationally due to the effects it can have on your body.
Due to the nature of the drug, pregabalin can leave you feeling relaxed and calm, and you may experience feelings of euphoria.
Taking pregabalin can also enhance the effects of other drugs – particularly opioids such as heroin.
However, the combination of pregabalin and opioids can be deadly and can affect your breathing. This is a severe drug interaction that can be fatal – so be sure to contact a medical professional immediately if you are having trouble breathing.
If you take pregabalin for long periods of time, or abuse pregabalin frequently, there is an increased risk of developing a physical dependence or a psychological dependence on the drug. You are more at risk of developing a pregabalin dependence if you are a hard drug user.
Some other common side effects to be aware of when taking pregabalin include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Digestive issues (e.g gas, bloating, constipation)
- Lack of coordination
- Weight gain and increased appetite
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Shaking
- Happy mood
- Trouble paying attention
- Memory issues
- Anxiety
- Breathing problems
- Itching/ rash/ hives
Pregabalin Addiction Explained
Prescription drug addiction can be difficult to overcome without the right support. As with any other drug, pregabalin comes with the risk of addiction.
If you take pregabalin for a long period of time or frequently abuse the drug, your body will develop a tolerance. This means you may feel the need to take a higher dose in order to feel the same effect.
Over time, tolerance can develop into physical dependence. This means that your body craves the drug and may feel like you can’t function without it.
Pregabalin addiction can refer to both psychological addiction and physical addiction. If you are physically addicted to pregabalin, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it or lower your dose.
Pregabalin Abuse
Pregabalin abuse differs slightly from pregabalin addiction – although people with a pregabalin addiction will often abuse the drug. The terms ‘drug abuse’ and ‘drug addiction’ are often used interchangeably, but they have different definitions. Abusing pregabalin can have many negative consequences.
Pregabalin abuse is a form of prescription drug abuse – which is characterised by using more of the drug than recommended, using it when you don’t need it, mixing it with other substances or other drugs, or simply using it in any way other than recommended. Abusing pregabalin can cause you to develop an addiction to the drug.
Pregabalin abuse and pregabalin addiction are forms of substance use disorder – with pregabalin addiction being considered more severe. This is because drug addiction is recognised as a chronic and relapsing brain disorder.
Pregabalin Withdrawal Symptoms
If you suddenly stop taking pregabalin, or you drastically decrease the dose, you may begin experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Like with many prescription drugs, pregabalin or Lyrica withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and require medical assistance.
This is why it is often best to conduct a pregabalin detox on an inpatient basis at a residential treatment facility – especially if you have existing mental health issues such as depression or panic attacks.
Just like with alcohol withdrawal, you may experience a combination of physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and behavioural symptoms. Here are some common pregabalin withdrawal symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Mood swings
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation/ suicidal thoughts
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate
- Intense cravings
- Seizures
At Help4Addiction, we often recommend a medical detox for prescription drug addiction. This is because withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with, especially if you have a dual diagnosis. Contact us today to learn more about your detox options, or scroll down for more information.
Pregabalin Addiction Treatment Explained
If you are struggling to control your pregabalin use, or are concerned that you have a pregabalin addiction, seeking professional support is the best thing you can do. It can be difficult to overcome addiction alone, especially if you quit ‘cold turkey’.
Keep reading to learn more about pregabalin addiction treatment, and what to expect when you attend pregabalin rehab.
Pregabalin Detox
The first stage of the pregabalin addiction treatment process involves detoxing from the drug. Pregabalin detox can be unpleasant as you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms you experience can depend on numerous factors – for example, your history of substance abuse, your usual dose, and your height and weight. In some cases, you may benefit from a medical detox, where you’ll be given detox medication.
Many people choose to undergo pregabalin rehab as an inpatient at a residential facility – however, you may prefer to undergo rehab on an outpatient basis. Detoxification addresses physical dependence and does not treat the psychological aspects of addiction.
Pregabalin Rehab
Once you have detoxed from pregabalin, you may proceed to the next stages of addiction treatment. During this stage, you may receive therapy treatment, which addresses the social and psychological aspects of addiction.
This stage of the process focuses on your mental health, with the aim to build up your confidence and give you a better understanding of yourself and your addiction. During therapy, you may be offered group therapy sessions and learn effective coping strategies to prevent relapse and improve your general well-being.
Some forms of addiction therapy may include:
- CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
- DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy)
- Group therapy
- Counselling
- Interpersonal therapy
- Holistic therapies
Some private rehab clinics and luxury rehab clinics offer a wider range of therapy treatment options, such as holistic therapy. This may include mindfulness, sports therapy, or art therapy.
Aftercare
Once you have completed the main bulk of rehab, your recovery journey truly begins. Most people benefit from receiving secondary treatment on an outpatient basis.
Secondary treatment, also known as aftercare, can help to ease the transition back into society and aims to prevent relapse. Some examples of secondary treatment include support groups, further counselling sessions, or group therapy with addiction counsellors.
Ultimately, aftercare can streamline the return to your day-to-day life, improve your confidence, and help to prevent relapse.
Help4Addiction Can Help You Overcome Pregabalin Addiction
Getting help for your Lyrica addiction/ pregabalin addiction and pregabalin abuse issues is the best thing you can do to get sober and live a drug-free life. At Help4Addiction, we can connect you with the best rehab treatment centres around England and Wales.
It’s not just pregabalin addiction that we can help with – we can also help with alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, addiction to other prescription drugs and other controlled substances, as well as heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and many more.
Contact our friendly team today to discuss your treatment options. We have extensive knowledge regarding substance use disorders, addiction risks, and the rehab process, and can discuss your options with you in a judgement-free and friendly manner.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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