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Cochrane Review Authors’ Conclusions
Because of the relaxing effects that baclofen has on muscles, baclofen is considered a muscle relaxer. If you need it to be, you can also use baclofen as one of a combination of medications for combination therapy. People with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal injury and disease are primary candidates for the use of baclofen. Due to baclofen’s therapeutic use, off-label use for addiction treatment, and high potential for addiction and abuse, there is a definitive possibility of a baclofen overdose. Therapy can also help people overcome past trauma or cope with the effects of it.
Comparison 1: Baclofen Compared With Placebo
Professionals use a comprehensive approach to treat baclofen abuse and withdrawal, and they can treat co-occurring disorders at the same time. These are three important considerations in the treatment of baclofen misuse. 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.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Baclofen abuse can increase the likelihood of addiction and dependence. Those who engage in baclofen abuse – including taking higher doses than prescribed or mixing it with alcohol or drugs – are at an increased risk of developing an addiction to the drug. Baclofen can be addictive, particularly if used for extended periods or at high doses. Addiction often develops when users rely on Baclofen to manage muscle spasms and other conditions but start to use it beyond the prescribed amount. This misuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence, making it challenging to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Whether you are looking to receive addiction treatment for baclofen or some other substance or mental health issue, Discovery Institute is here to help.
- Furthermore, it directly inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and inhibitory synaptic transmission.
- This is because the FDA requires the drug to pass several tests before it reaches the market.
- A patient who’s becoming tolerant to the drug may take more than their doctor prescribed to them to experience relief.
- Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
- However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution for patients receiving Baclofen.
- Baclofen addiction treatment usually consists of detox, some form of inpatient or outpatient treatment, support groups, and aftercare.
According to the results of one study, participants who used baclofen successfully reduced their use of cocaine over time. Although baclofen can be beneficial in some addiction treatment programs, some people can become addicted to it and may abuse the drug. Yes, and it is important to understand how to identify baclofen abuse and its dangers.
Drinking alcohol while taking baclofen can also cause you to unknowingly overdose on baclofen. Mixing baclofen with other substances is dangerous because it can lead to severe side effects. It is also dangerous because it could cause baclofen to interact with other substances. Many people wonder if baclofen is addictive and if is there such a thing as a baclofen withdrawal.
Instead, you will have to visit the facility 3 to 4 times and spend a few hours during each visit. If seizures persist, a doctor may prescribe other medications such as propofol and barbiturates. 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.
Paying for Treatment
- An inpatient program is an intensive treatment that aims to achieve long-lasting sobriety.
- And more often, users mix baclofen with other, stronger drugs or with alcohol to intensify the effects of the drug.
- Baclofen is a prescription drug classified as a muscle relaxer and antispasmodic agent.
- American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab programs across the country.
- A person who develops any of the above symptoms after taking baclofen or any other medication should seek emergency medical attention.
- If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, your Baclofen dose will be reduced gradually over 1 to 2 weeks.
Alcohol may increase the drowsy (sedative) effects of baclofen tablets and make you is baclofen addictive very sleepy. It’s best not to drink alcohol while you are taking baclofen until you know how the medicine makes you feel. Do not stop taking baclofen without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Abruptly stopping baclofen can cause seizures, fever, confusion, muscle stiffness, or hallucinations.
Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Like alcohol and other GABA agonists, baclofen can produce a high when taken in high enough doses, which can encourage further drug-taking behavior. As previously mentioned, there’s a high risk of baclofen overdose when the drug is consistently abused. The most common side effects of baclofen are transient sedation, confusion, muscle weakness, vertigo, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness and fatigue 9.
An overdose is one of the many symptoms of baclofen abuse and can include hypothermia, coma, slow breathing, or respiratory arrest and seizures. Other symptoms of baclofen abuse related to an overdose can include slowed heart rate or other changes in heart muscle conduction. People who have taken too much baclofen may show outward signs like vertigo, problems breathing, and a loss of consciousness. Baclofen abuse can begin when someone has a legitimate prescription for the drug. Then, over time, someone may show signs of abuse, such as taking higher doses than prescribed or taking baclofen more often than prescribed. People who abuse baclofen may combine it with other substances, use it without a prescription, or use baclofen in any way outside prescribing instructions.
Many people who have a substance use disorder also have a mental health disorder. It is important to treat both issues simultaneously since they can negatively affect one another and lead to relapse. A common trend among people addicted to opioids is to begin abusing the very drug intended to help them overcome their addiction, and unfortunately, baclofen is no exception. Addicts have quickly figured out that taking large doses of baclofen gives them a buzz similar to alcohol but without the hangover. And more often, users mix baclofen with other, stronger drugs or with alcohol to intensify the effects of the drug. Just as with any drug, it is not safe to take baclofen in doses larger than those prescribed by a licensed pharmacist or physician or to mix it with other drugs or alcohol.