Prescription Drugs for Alcoholics????!
 

I'm sober for 1 month now with no program in place. At the urging of family members I recently saw a psychologist to get a referral to an outpatient program for recovering alcoholics in my area. I told her that I had trouble sleeping. She prescribed me two medications "Gabapentin" for insomnia and "Naltrexone" to deal with cravings.

After taking these drugs for nearly a week, I'm just questioning whether these are even necessary, or even if they might be harmful to my recovery. I've felt like absolute crap since I've been on them. Tired all day, headaches, nausea. I haven't drunk alcohol, but the way this makes me feel leaves me looking for relief. I'm hoping my body adjust, but I'm not sure I want to be on these drugs at all. I'm going to continue to follow the advice of the professionals, but feeling I need a second opinion considering I'm 1 month sober without these drugs. Hoping to get a meeting with an addiction specialist soon to get a real plan of care soon.

Any advice for someone relatively new to a sober lifestyle? Thanks!

Hi elnotcho :)

nausea headaches and fatigue were a part of my early recovery too, so there's always the possibility that this is simply par for the course.

Most meds usually take a while to bed in too.

but if you feel really poorly & you think this is harmful to your recovery, why not go back and see your Dr again before you come off the meds?

D

Seeing a dr is always a great idea....I'd also venture that the bottom line part of changing "no plan in place" to a plan of action (AA, etc) that is then complemented by meds if appropriate is an excellent plan.

I don't know where you are in the world but in some countries, especially the United States, there is a social problem caused by people becoming addicted to drugs which are initially prescribed by doctors. It might be worth researching the medicines you are receiving to see if they have any possibility of becoming addictive.

I would get a second opinion. You're 1 month in. Not sure why doc would give you the naltrexone now in the game. And the gabapentin seems weird too. I use an occasional Tylenol pm when sleep evades me. Yep. Get a second opinion. But don't stop taking them until you see another doctor. Good luck!

I was on naltrexone in the past and managed 5 months sober.. but was given them from day 1 not a week in. In the past I've suffered nausea from the naltrexone too so maybe this is the case for you but I also think that if in doubt- see your doc again. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon

That's a cocktail they give every addict/alcoholic. Lots of people abuse gaba. Naltrexone...ehhh...the bottom line is, if you really want to be sober, you don't drink no matter what comes down the pike. At the end of the day though, it is up to you and what works for one might not work for another. That being said, I've never seen someone fail who didn't drink no matter what, went to meetings, got a sponsor, and worked the steps.

Just a reminder folks - experience only please, not medical advice.

I would call your pharmacist if you can't get ahold of your doctor... especially if you are considering ceasing to take them.
They can explain to you side effects and ramp up periods. Naltrexone is for addiction. I hope your doctor explained how it works.
Gabapentin has many off label uses. Your doc or pharmacist can explain them to you.
GL,
Jules

The drugs you were given are fairly common. I was put on Naltrexone by an addiction specialist. Gabapentin is also pretty common, it's used for anxiety and a lot of people are given it to help calm the anxious feelings caused by alcohol withdrawal. I stopped taking Naltrexone and switched to Campral because I thought the Nal had too many side effects. Gabapentin does not have that many side effects for me but Naltrexone was terrible. Unfortunately it is likely if you go to an addiction specialist they will just recommend the same exact things you're on. The only other thing they will tell you is to go to AA meetings. Anyway if you don't feel like you need the medication and the help, why did you go to a doctor in the first place?

Did you talk to your doctor about the side effects? Maybe you need a lower dose?

Neither one of these medications are addictive.

Gabapentin is addictive, it is one of the most problematic drugs seen in the uk at the moment.

Everything I have read says its potential for abuse and addiction is incredibly low. I've never heard of what you're describing but I just did a google search and I guess some people take it along with opiods and other things like xanax. I've been taking it for 10 years and never felt it could get me high in the least and never needed to increase the dosage. *shrugs*

actually, yes they can be.
although not on the scale of other prescription meds.
ive heard more than 1 heroin addict that became addicted to naltrexone and amazed to hear one who started snorting it.

for an addict, ANYTHING can be addictive.

I seen someone on the tv snort lyrica, he was high as a kite.

I take it and it is addictive. I've done much research on it.

Gabapentin/nuerontin can be addictive. People abuse high doses of it.
I am prescribed it for nerve damage caused by diabetes. I don't care for how it makes me feel so I only take it if in severe pain. It causes me to have crazy dreams. I also received it in rehab.

It's not a narcotic like Percocet, Loratab etc nor a benzodiazapime like Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium etc.

Jules

gabapentin is known as lyricas baby brother

Lyrica is also subject to abuse. It too, has many off label uses.

I don't *think you can get high on Naltrexone. It is used to block the areas of the brain that would provide the high. I could certainly be wrong though.
Suboxone & Methodone are abused. Those are meds used to help opiate addicts that can be used to get high.