Side effects of baclofen addiction include confusion, drowsiness, and dizziness. One of the more severe side effects of baclofen abuse is difficulty breathing, which can be life-threatening. Addiction Resource is an educational 2c drug effects of 2c platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers. Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone.
However, if the next dose is due, a person should skip the missed dose and take the next dose as planned. The drug inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses to reduce muscle contractions and pain. Most notably, the injectable form comes with a boxed warning on the label. Boxed warnings (or black box warnings) narcissism and alcoholism inform prescribers about the potentially fatal risks of a prescription drug. The FDA continues to monitor a drug’s safety years after the drug has reached the market. Drugs with the highest abuse potential are included in Schedule I. Examples of Schedule I controlled substances include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.
- Additionally, combining Baclofen with alcohol or other drugs can create more dangerous side effects and increase the rate of overdose.
- This is what happens when a person depends on the substance, and the individual experiences withdrawal if the drug is suddenly stopped.
- Nonetheless, there is a substantial risk of many negative health consequences, including coma and death.
As such, doctors recommend tapering the dose off gradually over 2–4 weeks to prevent withdrawal symptoms. 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. This makes it hard to tell whether the signs of abuse are due to those medications or baclofen. For this reason, it is helpful to get professional treatment through a certified, experienced treatment program.
What do people use baclofen for?
If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately. Although Lioresal is primarily used as a muscle relaxant to treat spasticity and pain in muscles, zoom meetings protecting anonymity it is also used for a few purposes that are not indicated in FDA-approved Baclofen uses. Lioresal comes into play as a drug that allows clients not to feel the compulsion to take alcohol.
Physicians typically prescribe three daily doses that patients take at different intervals. Although it comes with a risk of dependence, it is also important to not stop taking the drug suddenly. When a person stops taking baclofen as directed suddenly, there is a risk of hallucinations, seizures, fever, and confusion. There are also side effects of taking baclofen that need to be considered before the individual undergoes treatment with this medication. These side effects include difficulty breathing, seizures, and suicidal ideation. If these side effects are experienced, medical help should be obtained right away.
Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. Lioresal is predominantly prescribed to control muscle spasms caused by spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other skeletal and muscular disorders. Usually, for muscle spasms, the medicine is administered through a pump that delivers the medication directly to the spinal cord. Side effects of the pump are considered to be much less compared to when it is taken in the oral form.
Severe side effects of a Baclofen addiction are potentially life-threatening. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Baclofen For Opiate Addiction
Medical professionals have discovered that using it for alcohol cravings helps to stop drinking. It has been found to completely switch off the thirst for alcohol in patients diagnosed with alcohol addiction. Baclofen medication for alcoholism produces an instant effect. The patient can choose to stop taking alcohol or continue to drink after completing alcohol treatment. 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.
However, as with almost any substance used to induce a “high,” when misused it can become addictive. Over time, the user will need to take more and more of the drug to experience the same sensation as the body begins to develop a tolerance. Baclofen was originally designed to treat epileptic seizures.
How to take baclofen
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In recent years, professionals have been using baclofen for addiction treatment. Studies show that baclofen can be just as effective as diazepam in treating the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Additionally, some professionals use it to treat people with cocaine dependence. Baclofen can be a useful tool when used as part of an integrated approach to treatment that includes medical supervision and other tools, such as research-based therapies and peer support. Baclofen has been found to be an addictive drug in the sense that it causes a pleasurable sensation when ingested in large amounts. Over time, higher and higher doses are needed to experience this feeling.
Questions About Addiction or Mental Health?
This is the first and most critical step in successful treatment. Detox involves letting the body cleanse itself of the substance. There can be unpleasant or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms during this time, which is why medical supervision is essential.
Drugs in Schedule V have the lowest abuse potential compared to those in other schedules. Case management services are also available after people finish treatment to help them stay in recovery. After successful graduation from Boston University, MA, Sharon gained a Master’s degree in Public Health.