A Review of the Potential Mechanisms of Action of Baclofen in Alcohol Use Disorder

Yes, it can be, and we want people who struggle with addiction to know that there is help. If you take baclofen for addiction and know that you are misusing it, we can help. We can also help if you have a loved one who takes baclofen for addiction and is struggling with misuse. The types of therapy professionals use are designed to treat mind, body, and spirit. They use cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to teach people to identify the causes of behaviors and change them.

Patients indifferent to alcohol are no longer interested in alcohol, but they experience normal enjoyment for the other aspects of their life. People who enjoy life normally necessarily have intact reward systems. The state of indifference is always reached after treatment has lasted for a certain amount of time, which is likely a period of remodeling brain circuits. It cannot be excluded that that an initial blockage of the dopaminergic systems participates in the remodeling of brain circuits. Regarding the mechanism of action of baclofen in these models, it is generally hypothesized that baclofen reduces alcohol consumption through an anti-dopaminergic effect. The first is the fact that baclofen has clear anti-rewarding effects.

Baclofen and other drugs

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. To find out the answer to this question, you must first learn about the different ways that people use and misuse baclofen and the effects that such use and misuse causes.

What do people use baclofen for?

• Group, family, and individual therapy structures give people the care they need to have individual support, the support of others who struggle with addiction, and the support of family members.
• It is not advisable to consume alcohol and Baclofen together as the depressant additive effects of central nervous system can be augmented.
• This is because a certain amount of baclofen must be in your body at all times for baclofen to work properly.
• Outpatient treatment involves visiting the facility as recommended by a professional for therapy.
• To counterbalance this, your doctor may prescribe you a lower than normal dosage of baclofen to start.

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. Therefore, the pump is prescribed to individuals who have trouble tolerating its oral forms. If you are suffering from a baclofen addiction treatment, know that hope is not lost. Baclofen addiction treatment usually consists of detox, some form of inpatient or outpatient treatment, support groups, and aftercare.

Is baclofen good for anxiety?

A baclofen overdose can only happen when the prescription drug is used in a recreational way and not for a medicinal purpose. Nonetheless, when used on a recreational basis, a baclofen high can also occur. This may induce bradycardia or an extremely slow heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, sluggish reflexes, or coma.

Treatment for a Baclofen Addiction

Baclofen and other GABA-B agonists microinjected into the VTA suppress alcohol-seeking behavior (70), alcohol consumption (71), and alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (72). Microinjection of baclofen in the nucleus accumbens also decreases binge-like alcohol drinking (73). Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that physicians may prescribe to treat muscle stiffness, tightness, or spasticity. They may prescribe it to people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, is baclofen habit forming or other diseases that affect the muscles.

• In addition to its ability to curb cravings, Lioresal is also used as a minor tranquilizer, producing an anxiolytic effect.
• Usually, for muscle spasms, the medicine is administered through a pump that delivers the medication directly to the spinal cord.
• He highlighted the similar behavioral effects of alcohol, baclofen and GHB.
• People with a history of strokes could develop more side effects to baclofen than the average person.
• However, it can lead to physical dependence with long-term use, and some individuals may develop a psychological addiction.

After detox, you can then attend our very effective residential or intensive outpatient treatment program. If you are suffering from a mental illness on top of your addiction, we also offer dual diagnosis treatment. We even provide numerous different forms of individual therapy and group therapy. If you are suffering from a baclofen addiction, you should consider entering our prescription drug detox program. Oftentimes, people will combine baclofen with central nervous system depressants to increase its effects.

Taking too much baclofen could cause severe side effects or an overdose. We welcome residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley area and West Virginia to reach out to us for treatment. Our skilled team believes that everyone deserves to live life without the restrictions of addiction. We treat people who struggle with multiple forms of drug addiction and alcohol addiction.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Baclofen Abuse?

For these reasons, people are advised to keep baclofen away from kids or teens, including anybody who has no prescription for it. In 2012, NCBI published research on the effects of using the drug for alcoholism, and positive results were found. The research results show that between 3 to 24 months, over 80% of patients that came in at high risk of alcoholism, reduced their risk to the low or moderate level. There were multiple studies conducted in Germany that yielded different results in treating alcoholism. Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to dependence and addiction. Once you develop dependence or addiction to baclofen and you try to stop taking the medication, baclofen withdrawal symptoms arise.

Baclofen Side Effects

This is because the FDA requires the drug to pass several tests before it reaches the market. The journey from invention to market typically takes more than a decade. Unlike gabapentin, baclofen is not controlled throughout the US. Drugs in this class work by blocking signals from nerves to muscle fibers. By clicking “Submit,” you certify that you have provided your legal name and phone number, agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy, and authorize California Behavioral Health. You consent to receive SMS notifications and promotions from California Behavioral Health.

Because of the calming effect and the feel-good increase in dopamine levels that baclofen has on the body, many people start misusing baclofen. One way that people misuse baclofen is by taking more than what is prescribed to them. People with a history of strokes could develop more side effects to baclofen than the average person. Baclofen may not even be able to treat your muscle spasms if you have a history with strokes. You’re supposed to take oral forms of baclofen around 3 times a day. When you start taking baclofen, you should do so in small doses at first and then gradually increase to larger doses.