Pregabalin Symptoms and Warning Signs

Pregabalin Info

• Pregabalin Addiction and Abuse
• Pregabalin Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Pregabalin Treatment and Rehab
• Pregabalin Withdrawal and Detox

Pregabalin is a medication that is often prescribed to treat health conditions such as fibromyalgia, epilepsy, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and neuropathic pain. It is also prescribed off-label to treat conditions including migraine prevention, restless leg syndrome, and social anxiety disorder. Additionally, pregabalin is used to lessen potential symptoms that may arise in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

However, pregabalin has a high potential for abuse because when taken in high doses it can induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and calmness. The effects of pregabalin are similar to those of tranquilisers and, as with said tranquilisers, many people use it for recreational purposes. It is often taken in conjunction with other substances such as opiates because it can enhance the euphoric effects these drugs have. Doing this though increases the risk of harm.

Although pregabalin is a prescription-only medication, it is often found on the black market and sold to those who have developed an addiction to it. When buying pregabalin in this way though, it is impossible to tell if it is genuine; taking medication that is not pure can greatly increase the potential for harm.

As you can build up a tolerance to pregabalin quite quickly, you may find that you are not getting the same relief from it that you once did. Your response may be to take more of the drug than prescribed, but this can then lead to a physical addiction. You might end up getting to the stage where you feel as though you cannot function without pregabalin.

If you are taking this medication to change the way you feel and are thus allowing it to interfere with daily life, you could already have a problem. You may be preoccupied with pregabalin and spend most of your time thinking about when you can next take the drug. This is a common sign of abuse.

If you are taking more pregabalin than advised to by your doctor, or you are taking it at increasingly frequent intervals in order to achieve the desired feelings, you are in danger of developing a serious problem. Additionally, if you are taking pregabalin that was prescribed for another person, now is the time to seek out some professional help.

The Dangers of Pregabalin Abuse

Abusing any mood-altering substance is dangerous and pregabalin is no different. Chemical substances can alter the way the brain functions, making it harder to make good decisions.

Taken in large doses, pregabalin can have profound negative consequences. Suicidal thoughts are common with pregabalin use, and the risk is higher the larger the doses taken. Furthermore, because the mind is clouded by the chemicals being taken, you are more likely to put yourself in harm’s way.

Another danger of pregabalin abuse is that your behaviour could change dramatically. You will have less and less time for those you care about, for example, which can lead to problems within your relationships.

Constantly being under the influence of pregabalin makes it harder to perform well at school or at work, which in turn has a major impact on your prospects or your ability to earn an income. This can lead to financial problems and you taking desperate measures to obtain your medication of choice, including turning to criminal activity.

Recognising a Pregabalin Addiction

An addiction to pregabalin can often occur without you realising, especially if you have been taking it to treat a genuine medical condition. It is just too easy to abuse prescription medication without even realising what is happening.

For example, and as alluded to in the above paragraphs, if you are no longer getting the same relief from pregabalin as you did when initially taking it, you could conclude that there is no harm in increasing the dose or taking the medication more often.

Consider how you use pregabalin to figure out if you might have an addiction to the substance. Are you taking it to make you feel better or to help you function? Do you feel irritable when unable to take medication or when the prescription is close to running out?

You start trying to source your medication elsewhere or visiting more than one doctor in a bid to get multiple prescriptions. You might also be neglecting responsibilities at home and/or work because of your pregabalin use.

In a nutshell, if your use of pregabalin is affecting your everyday life yet you continue to use it regardless, it is highly likely that you have an addiction. Consequently, you will need professional help to try to regain control of your life once more.

By reducing the release of these neurotransmitters, electrical activity in the brain is stabilised. When this happens, it can help to treat conditions such as epilepsy and anxiety disorders. The effect on glutamate and substance P helps when nerve pain is an issue.

Nevertheless, pregabalin is also responsible for stimulating the brain’s reward and pleasure centres. In some individuals, this results in a surge of pleasurable feelings coupled with a stimulated reward system. Usually, the upshot of this is an addiction.

Learn the Immediate Side Effects of Pregabalin Abuse

The immediate side effects of pregabalin abuse include:

Intervention for a Pregabalin Addiction

As you have probably realised by reading the above text, the risk of addiction to pregabalin is quite high, but it is often the case that those affected are unaware of how serious their problem actually is. If someone you care about has been prescribed pregabalin, it is important to be alert to a change in his or her behaviour.

If this person is suffering from mood swings and is neglecting spending time with you, friends, or other members of the family, it could be because he or she has developed a problem with the medication. You should know though that the red flags you are seeing may not be so obvious to the affected individual.

Generally, most addicts are unable to see when they have a problem, especially early on in the addiction. You might see the subtle changes that could indicate a problem but your loved one might not be aware of how his or her behaviour has changed.

If you believe a problem exists, it is better to address it sooner rather than later. Contrary to popular belief, there is no need for the person to hit rock bottom before seeking help. In fact, the sooner he or she gets help, the easier it will be for him or her to regain control and get things on an even keel once more.

Detox and Withdrawal from Pregabalin

The general consensus, and something we highly recommend as well is to complete a pregabalin detox within a supervised facility as there is a risk of severe withdrawal symptoms occurring. Without appropriate treatment and effective management, you may even be at risk of life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. This is why detoxing at home is not a recommended option for this type of addiction.

Treatment and Next Steps

The first step on the road to recovery from a pregabalin addiction is the above-mentioned detox, but this is alone is not enough. While detox helps to address the physical symptoms associated with pregabalin addiction, it does nothing to deal with the underlying cause of the illness. For this, a programme of rehabilitation is required.

Rehab for pregabalin addiction involves a series of treatments including individual counselling and group therapy. If you choose to recover in a private clinic, you will benefit from a residential programme in an environment that is free from all distractions. Another benefit of such a programme in a private facility is the fact that they are usually accessible immediately, meaning there is no need for you to wait for a place to become available.

Although inpatient programmes have many benefits, they are not for everyone. If you are unable to be away from home for any length of time, you can opt to be treated in an outpatient clinic instead. This will mean attending regular counselling sessions, but you will not have to stay in the clinic.

The type of programme you choose ultimately depends on the severity of your illness, your personal preferences, and your individual situation.

Questions about Treatment

Can my family visit?

Your family will be encouraged to be a part of your recovery journey and may be invited to take part in family therapy sessions as a way to help with the healing process. It is well known that addiction is a family illness and that it can have a devastating impact on everyone close to you. For this reason, your family members will get the chance to take part in therapy that will help them overcome the issues that have directly and indirectly affected you.

Away from family therapy sessions, there is likely to be set visiting times where your family members can come to see you during your programme. Depending on the provider, these visits may be restricted in the first couple of weeks, giving you a chance to settle in and make some progress before the family arrive to see how you are doing.