Over the past few years, a growing number of people have successfully used gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication that is available only by prescription.
Gabapentin is very similar in structure to GABA, which is a brain chemical associated with feelings of calm and mental stability. Many of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are caused by low levels of GABA.
Gabapentin is a generic drug, and the most common brand name is called Neurontin. An extended release version of gabapentin is prescribed under the brand Horizant. Gabapentin has been traditionally prescribed to treat:
- Epilepsy
- Nerve pain
- Restless leg syndrome
- Seizures
Gabapentin has also recently been used to treat anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and a range of chemical addictions including cocaine, opiates, and alcohol.
Contents
Gabapentin For Alcohol Withdrawal – Overview
Gabapentin has shown to be effective at alleviating or preventing the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Headache
- Heart Palpitations
- Panic attacks
- Sweating
Gabapentin works by increasing the production of GABA in the brain, essentially aiding brain cells that are too damaged to perform this crucial function.
It does this by modulating the action of two enzymes – one involved in the production of GABA, and the other involved in the production of glutamate, which is a stress chemical.
To understand the science behind using gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal, we will briefly review the causes of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol is a depressant that mimics GABA, and alcohol addiction causes the brain to decrease its long-term GABA production because it has learned to rely on alcohol for the same effect.
Because alcohol suppresses glutamate (the aforementioned stress chemical and “excitatory” neurotransmitter), the alcoholic brain ramps up its production of glutamate. In the absence of alcohol to calm down the brain, the alcoholic feels hyperactive, hypersensitive, and panicked.
When an alcoholic stops drinking suddenly, two important things happen:
- Glutamate rebounds to high levels within 3-8 hours
- GABA does not return to normal levels (this can take weeks)
Many of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are caused by a lack of GABA and an excess of glutamate.
While some people have used gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal and then tapered off, others have taken long-term gabapentin for alcohol cravings.
Continuing to use gabapentin after alcohol detox has helped many alcoholics reduce the chance of relapse. The trade-off is that long-term use of gabapentin can cause dependence.
Gabapentin For Alcohol Withdrawal Dosage
The following dosage information may be useful if you are considering taking gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal:
- Since gabapentin is a generic drug, dosage amount may vary depending on the brand and different brand name tablets are not interchangeable.
- 600-1800 mg per day of gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal is typically effective to mitigate symptoms.
- Studies of gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal have used 1200 mg tapering to 800 mg or 900 mg tapering to 600 mg. (source)
- Larger doses of gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal (over 900 mg) are typically divided throughout the day.
- To avoid dependence, only take gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal as long as it is needed to manage symptoms – typically less than a week.
- There is no standard dosage of gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal; only a doctor can determine this depending on your situation.
- Only take gabapentin under the supervision of a doctor.
Before taking gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal, make sure to review the following:
Gabapentin For Alcohol Withdrawal – Research Studies
While gabapentin is not yet an FDA-approved treatment for alcoholism, a number of studies support the use of gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal and cravings:
- In a 12-day study of alcoholics detoxifying with either gabapentin or lorazepam (a benzodiazepine prescribed with the brand name Ativan), the gabapentin group was less likely to drink – and had less craving, anxiety, and sedation (source)
- In a 12-week study of 150 alcoholics receiving either gabapentin or a placebo, the gabapentin group had significantly less insomnia, dysphoria, and alcohol craving (source)
- Gabapentin reduced alcohol intake for alcoholic rats but not for non-alcoholic rats, demonstrating its effectiveness for alcohol cravings by acting as a substitute source of GABA (source)
- Gabapentin is comparable to clonazepam in its effectiveness for treating insomnia in depressed patients (source)
Alternatives To Gabapentin For Alcohol Withdrawal
Not everyone can obtain gabapentin, since it must be prescribed by a doctor. It can sometimes be difficult to find a doctor who is open to prescribing gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal.
Besides benzodiazepines, which are the most commonly prescribed drugs for alcohol detox, there are a few other alternatives to gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal.
Baclofen
Baclofen is another prescription drug that is structurally similar to GABA. Like gabapentin, baclofen can be used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Long-term, high-dose baclofen has also been used by a growing number of people to achieve a state of indifference toward alcohol. To learn more, check out my article on the interesting baclofen alcohol relationship.
Phenibut
Phenibut is a legal supplement that is remarkably similar in structure to both baclofen and gabapentin (and GABA). It is known to:
- Calm the nervous system
- Aid in sleep
- Boost mood
- Alleviate social anxiety
If you cannot obtain either gabapentin or baclofen, you can use phenibut to ease mild to moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal at home.
For a full description of how this might be done including dosage information, see my article on using phenibut for alcohol withdrawal.
I have used phenibut from Absorb Health for situational discomfort (especially air travel) on several occasions, with very powerful results. I absolutely love this company because its phenibut is 100% pure and very reliable.
It can be very difficult to find a quality vendor for effective legal supplements like phenibut and kratom. The difference in quality between vendors is often astounding. This is why I promote only the best on my site!!
Calm Support
Nearly a year after I quit drinking, I finally understood that the majority of my post-acute withdrawal symptoms were caused by prolonged alcohol exposure.
Calm Support (read my review here) is an ingenious collection of high quality nutrients and herbs that are very effective for alcohol withdrawal. These ingredients cost a lot of money when purchased separately:
Many people have been able to quit drinking using Calm Support along with external support and basic lifestyle improvements.
Alcoholism is a complex biochemical disorder. GABA deficiency is not the only issue that needs to be addressed when you quit drinking.
Another trick I learned after I quit drinking was to take glutamine to resolve sudden, intense bouts of alcohol cravings. Try it and you’ll see that it works. Glutamine is an amino acid that can also help repair every cell in your body.
Since recovering from post-acute withdrawal, I now take these three awesome supplements instead of a multivitamin, and they cover many bases for alcohol recovery if you can afford them.
If you take Calm Support along with glutamine and a very high quality multivitamin, your recovery will be smooth sailing compared to what it could have been!!
Once your body-brain system heals, your only remaining obstacle will be mental…
Gabapentin For Alcohol Withdrawal – Conclusion
Gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal is a little-known but highly effective treatment that our medical establishment has all but hidden from patients.
While not everyone responds well to gabapentin, I believe that greater awareness of the use of gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal can improve recovery odds for many people.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach for alcohol detox and recovery.
When I quit drinking, I had no idea what my alternatives for detox and recovery were. A doctor simply prescribed a course of benzodiazepines. I was not enlightened about nutrient repair, other pharmacological options, or holistic strategies for improving my quality of life.
My goal in writing articles such as this one is to empower you to have a much better grasp on your situation, and your options, than I did when I quit drinking.
If you have any questions about using gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal, please leave them in the comment box below.
Hi Chris!
I have devoured every article you have written on your website so that I can truly prepare in the best way possible to reduce withdrawal symptoms in various ways, as well as maximize my chances for a lifetime of success. Eager to read your book tonight as well!!
I was Rxd Gabapentin last week as well as a benzo by my detox physician, and will definately be sure to report my results here when I begin tomorrow. He has been Rxing gabapentin for 25 years, with often very positive results, so we shall see. I am going to do 1/2 of a 400mg dose (I always start small) to check for any notable differences and then increase of needed to see if this particular drug may be of help in my long term recovery. I have had neurotransmitter tests (before drinking) which show very high on the excititory scale and very low on the inhibitory. I am looking forward to seeing if this support will have a positive impact on either my short, or perhaps long-term recovery/NT balance. Indeed, I am certain the high anxiety that results from my sky high excititory NT levels was the reason drinking was ever so appealing in the first place – sweet relief! Anxiety Sucks. But not as much as Drinking does… 😉
Thanks C! Sounds like your being proactive has definitely paid off. It’s such a great feeling when you can clear up the fog surrounding your condition and find things that support your biochemistry and help keep you on track. Finding a doctor who is familiar with this subject is a huge step in the right direction – many doctors throw their hands up and say “just don’t drink” or suggest AA.
Gabapentin (and/or baclofen) can be useful in dealing with high excitatory/low inhibitory neurotransmitters. Some people seem to have a genetic propensity for this unfortunate and uncomfortable state of being. At the same time, years of alcohol addiction can create or exacerbate it. So I’d guess that in a few years, even if you’re off of the Gabapentin, you’d find that these tests have normalized at least somewhat. Great work and keep it up!!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or alcohol recovery programs.
Thank you.
You’re very welcome Suzanne!
I simply cannot believe how well this drug worked for me , it took away 90 percent of the most severest withdrawal symptoms. I had a whole bottle of the stuff left over from a car wreck I was in, and was just googling around for information for someone else and I decided to do the Gabapentin, and this page popped up , I almost dropped dead knowing I had something already in the house, 2 days and out, we who have been through withdrawals know it’s like passing into the gates of hell. I took up to 1800 each of the 2 days, I was eating, and no insane horrible anxiety, best part is I can readily get these from my ortho doctor and use them for my anxiety disorder that leads me sometimes to binge…amazing ty ty for doing all the hard work to bring this to us that are suffering..
Amazing Arlene, thanks for sharing your experience! Definitely work with your doctor because like any drug that activates GABA receptors, gabapentin can cause dependence. Repairing your body and brain can help you get through PAWS.
Hello Chris.Thank you for your life saving information.You truly deserve great success and great fortune. You are a life saver by posting all your research and experience in dealing the an alcohol addiction. I wish you great success and great health. God bless you.
Thank you Damian! I’m glad you’ve found useful information here. Best of luck to you.
I have severe alcoholism but they just keep pumping full of Ativan. Will this help with seizures? I’ve had 4 over the last 2 days
Hi John – yes, doctors do use Ativan to help mitigate the risk of seizures. Generally, patients are given a dosage that tapers down over a few days or more, depending on the severity of withdrawal. Good luck to you!