Is Pregabalin Addictive?

Pregabalin is a common prescription medicine, prescribed to around 820,000 patients yearly, according to the latest figures. Despite its uses, the drug comes with recognised risks of misuse, addiction, physical dependence, tolerance and withdrawal.

Due to wanting a better answer to the question, “Is pregabalin addictive?” the MHRA conducted a review of the drug and its dangers, deciding that stronger warnings were needed on packaging to ensure people were aware of the risks of taking the medication.

Though pregabalin comes with addiction risks, taking it as prescribed does not mean you have an addiction. We’re going to take a closer look at pregabalin, what addiction looks like and what help is available so you can get a clearer idea of whether you need help.

What Is Pregabalin?

Pregabalin is a gabapentinoid prescription medicine used to treat health conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain and anxiety. More commonly known as Lyrica, it works as an anticonvulsant, slowing down brain activity and reducing signals, bringing pain relief and easing the release of brain chemicals.

Even though it can be used legally, pregabalin is a Class C controlled drug in the UK, so you need a personal prescription to take it.

Why Can Pregabalin Be Addictive?

Pregabalin works on the central nervous system, slowing everything down. This can produce calming and sedating effects. At higher doses, users may experience euphoric effects, a sensation that is pleasurable and that people want to repeat.

This repeated use can eventually cause you to build up a tolerance, meaning that you need to take more of the medication to feel those same euphoric effects as the first time.

The risks of developing an addiction increase when you begin to take pregabalin differently from how it was prescribed (taking more) or start to use it recreationally. In that case, you’re using pregabalin purposely for the high, rather than as a form of treatment.

Dependence vs Addiction

Becoming dependent on pregabalin does not mean you are addicted to it. As pregabalin works by calming brain activity, reducing brain chemicals like glutamate and norepinephrine, your body becomes used to that. Even if you take prescribed doses, as pregabalin is present in your body for a period of time, your body adapts to it.

If suddenly your pregabalin use decreases, your body reacts, trying to find a balance, and you’ll go into withdrawal. It does not mean you have an addiction.

Addiction is a step further, where you become both physically and psychologically dependent on pregabalin. If you begin to suffer from compulsive use of pregabalin, have impaired control and continue to use it despite the negative consequences in your life, that indicates you are addicted.

Signs of Pregabalin Addiction or Misuse

If you are concerned about pregabalin, or any prescription medication addiction, it’s important to know the warning signs. When you have an idea of how addiction presents itself, you can act quicker, getting the help you need before the situation gets any worse.

Common signs of pregabalin addiction include:

• Increasing your dose without medical advice or instruction
• Running out of your prescription early
• Doctor hopping (seeking prescriptions from multiple sources)
• Getting your pregabalin from illegal sources
• Experiencing cravings
• Becoming more secretive about pregabalin use
• Using pregabalin solely for the effects
• Continuing to use pregabalin despite negative impact

Addiction can bleed into your life, affecting every aspect. People suffering from an addiction typically experience issues at work, frequent absences and a downturn in performance. Your relationships may suffer as your addiction takes over your life, with financial issues becoming more apparent and you begin to neglect day-to-day responsibilities.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, seek out professional help and get a thorough assessment so you can take the best next step.

What Are the Risks of Pregabalin Misuse?

There are many risks when it comes to abusing pregabalin, including:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Impaired coordination
• Memory problems

Pregabalin can become especially dangerous if mixed with other substances. It is a central nervous system depressant, and if you mix it with alcohol, opioids or other CNS depressants, you risk slowing down your breathing to a dangerous extent, blacking out, falling unconscious and overdosing.

If someone has mixed pregabalin with other substances and is unconscious, cannot be woken or has difficulty breathing, then call 999 immediately.

Pregabalin Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms may happen, even if you are not addicted. When you come off pregabalin, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Agitation

Even if you are worried about your pregabalin use, you shouldn’t stop suddenly. Doing so can bring on severe and unpredictable withdrawal symptoms. Especially if you are using the drug to treat epilepsy, suddenly coming off it can trigger seizures.

For these reasons, do not reduce or stop prescribed pregabalin without speaking to your prescriber. They’ll come up with a gradual, individualised reduction plan for you to follow, slowly lowering your dosage to try and avoid severe withdrawal effects.

How Is Pregabalin Addiction Treated?

Pregabalin addictions require professional rehabilitation.

Assessment and Medically Managed Detox

In a rehab centre, you can undergo a medical assessment where a supervised dose reduction or detoxification plan can be created to suit your needs. Through these processes, you can end your physical dependence without putting yourself in danger.

Psychological Therapies

Psychological therapies such as CBT and group therapy can help deal with the deeper causes behind your addiction, help you address addictive behaviours and work on coping mechanisms for life after rehab.

Identifying Other Addictions

Rehabs are useful especially when dealing with addiction to multiple substances. If using pregabalin alongside other drugs, you should deal with these issues simultaneously, rather than focusing on just pregabalin.

Continued Support

With professional rehab, your support won’t end when you leave. You’ll work on relapse prevention in treatment, knowing what to do if a relapse may occur, and should get access to continued support in the months after. This way, you’ll not feel isolated and adrift, staying connected to others to help you through recovery.

Getting Help for Pregabalin Addiction

You should seek out professional support when your pregabalin use begins to impact your daily life. If you have tried to stop and been unable to, find yourself taking more and beginning to damage other parts of your life, then you might need help.

Asana Lodge offers prescription drug rehabilitation programmes that combine medically assisted detoxification and personalised therapy programmes. You can undergo your treatment in our private rehab centre, with your treatment facilitated by our expert and caring staff.

We understand that a person is more than an addiction. From your initial call to when you leave, you’ll be supported without judgement and as confidentially as you wish it to be.

Concerned About Pregabalin Dependence? Get Help Today

Pregabalin can be a helpful medication for those with nerve pain and anxiety, but it does carry with it a strong addiction risk. If you are taking as prescribed pregabalin, do not change your dose before speaking to your prescribing doctor. However, if you’re worried about your pregabalin use, you don’t have to struggle alone. Get in touch with Asana Lodge today for confidential support and a further assessment.