In such cases, your treating doctor needs to be informed about the intake of such meds. As a general precaution, it is a safe practice to keep your caregiving team updated about all the drugs you are presently taking as well as treatment plans currently pursued. It is safer to compile a list of all drugs and share it with your treating physician. While making this list, ensure to include over-the-counter drugs, prescription meds, herbal aids, dietary supplements as well as vitamins.
Like every medication, muscle relaxers and neuromuscular medications have expiration dates that specify their effectiveness and safety. Many people take outdated doses without knowing, which can cause them a range of health issues as well as reduced effectiveness and uncertain impacts. Seeking the right professional guidance before starting any baclofen treatment schedule for substance use disorder is crucial.
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Narcotics can include prescription drugs, as well as illegal drugs like heroin, and the term narcotic can be used interchangeably with opioids. Higher than recommended dosages represent another element of risk. Some people use baclofen for euphoria or relaxation, which greatly increases their risk of overdose. Underlying medical problems, especially renal disease or liver damage, can also slow down the drug’s metabolism, causing it to build up in the bloodstream and reach hazardous levels. Recommended dosages for baclofen vary from client to client and gradually increase over time.
This makes it hard to tell whether the signs of abuse are due to those medications or baclofen. To learn more about our treatment options for baclofen addiction and to take the first step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life, reach out to Avenues Recovery. Our highly experienced and professional staff are here to provide the support and guidance you need to overcome addiction and embrace a brighter future.
Why Does a Baclofen Overdose Occur?
This is because a certain amount of baclofen must be in your body at all times for baclofen to work properly. Taking too much baclofen could cause severe side effects or an overdose. 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. Baclofen is a prescription medication that is used to treat muscle spasms, especially those caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).
Emergency Actions for a Baclofen Overdose
Others that were injected with genetic modifiers that block dopamine-releasing neurons in this region also performed poorly, suggesting that this region plays a key role in how we form habits. The most recent clinical trials lasting four weeks have demonstrated that baclofen is superior to placebo and that a GABA-B receptor agonist is likely a reliable pharmacotherapy for AUD. Moreover, abusing more than one drug significantly increases the risk of overdose.
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- When people try to detox on their own, the effects can be dangerous.
- In general, however, these ill-health effects don’t present in most clients who start baclofen as a treatment for AUD and other substance use disorders.
- The stored drug in the brain can cause sedation long after the blood levels of the drug are within the normal range.
- Baclofen is a prescribed medication for people who need pain relief from muscle spasms.
AUD is characterized by periods of heavy drinking and chronic relapsing after remitting alcohol usage for an extended time. The primary objective of any medical treatment program for AUD is to help problematic drinkers achieve and sustain ongoing abstinence from the drug. The signs and symptoms of a Baclofen overdose can vary depending on how much of the drug was taken and the individual’s reaction to it.
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- Drug makers first started marketing baclofen in the 1970s as a mycrorelaxant to help relieve secondary symptoms of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis.
- It may also be abused recreationally by combining it with other drugs to amplify the effects.
- We collect personal information from our customers in order to serve them better and quickly and effectively provide them with the appropriate services they require.
Is Baclofen an Addictive Substance?
Increasing the release of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that block electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord. The purpose of an editorial policy is to create a standard and process for educational and supportive resources to be measured against. We maintain a high standard for both online and print media and prioritize accuracy, integrity, and usefulness. Avenues Recovery is a community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with locations across the United States. Therefore, make sure to talk to your doctor about whether or not baclofen is safe for you to use.
If you are aged above 50 years, the dosage plan of baclofen is lowered to suit your age. Also, pregnant women – who took this drug – especially, during the advanced stages of their pregnancy, may give birth to infants with a few withdrawal symptoms. Such babies may develop sleeping problems or feeding issues; some of the infants may cry incessantly. Owing to such risks, your treating doctor may advise pregnant women to refrain from taking baclofen.
Options for Addiction Treatment
Long-term residential treatment provides structured care in the therapeutic community or a sober living home. The treatment aims to resocialize addicted individuals and helps them reintegrate into society with minimal problems. Depending on the severity of the addiction, you might need long-term residential treatment for 6 baclofen habit forming months to 12 months. Never stop taking baclofen without talking with your doctor, especially if you have used high doses for over a month. Reducing the release of neurotransmitters that increase electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord.
For those struggling with addiction, understanding the dangers of certain drugs is essential. One of the most popular drugs on the market today is baclofen, a prescription medication used to treat muscle spasms and other neurological conditions. While it is a widely prescribed medication, is baclofen addictive?
Anyone starting a baclofen treatment for AUD or a different substance use disorder should disclose all other prescription or non-prescription medications they’re taking or planning to take. These details could impact the medication dosage because doctors must monitor clients for the potential side effects of mixing multiple drugs. Baclofen is the generic version of a muscle relaxer that’s used to treat muscle spasticity, which is common with conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. Though experts don’t fully understand how the drug works, the chemical structure is believed to be similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This neurotransmitter blocks or slows nerve signals to produce a calming effect.1 When someone takes baclofen, it relaxes the muscles to relieve cramping and tightness.
It is important to be aware of this potential risk and to talk to a doctor about any concerns. When physical dependence on Baclofen occurs, it is important to work closely with a doctor to slowly taper off the drug. This will help to minimize withdrawal symptoms and prevent them from becoming severe. Discontinuing baclofen abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. If you need to stop taking baclofen, consult your doctor for a proper tapering schedule.
If you have an alcohol addiction, do not use baclofen on your own to overcome your addiction. According to The National Library of Medicine, using baclofen for alcohol use disorder has shown promising results over the past couple of years and may be used to treat this condition. Expired medication may not work as intended and could lead to unexpected side effects. Pause and take a moment to think about all the decisions that you make in a day. The most effective way to break a bad habit is by replacing it with a good one. If you know you like to snack on junk food when you are stressed, try going for a quick walk instead.
The Granite Recovery Centers offer expert addiction recovery services. Our evidence-based treatment programs take a holistic approach to modifying addictive behaviors that won’t rely exclusively on treating a substance use disorder with more drugs. Seizures, hallucinations, and trouble breathing are, of course, serious health symptoms that require urgent medical attention. In general, however, these ill-health effects don’t present in most clients who start baclofen as a treatment for AUD and other substance use disorders.
