I have a real problem with someone living in the house that takes them like I do he takes them every chance he gets then lies about it honest I get very angry please give me some advice!!! This last time he took 2 weeks worth
Is gabapentin addictive? Can a person actually get a high from them?
Question posted by pam barta on 31 Jan 2013
Last updated on 19 June 2023
47 Answers Page 3
These people are all correct. I just want to put something out there, if this person is hurting from nerve damage or say fibromyalgia it will give them pain relief like it does for you and that could be what they are searching for. Just an idea.
My Mother who is 79 started taking Gapapentin 300mg, 1 capsule in the morning for feet nerve pain. She started taking this on April 1, 2015. I noticed how tired, confused and unsteady she was and had two falls because of this (I think). I took her off it on April 16, 2015. She is very sensitive to medications and by no means does she abuse it. Since taking her off the medication I have seen a HUGE improvement. The doctor gave her 30 tabs at 300 mg taken once daily. Not sure, but she is showing signs of Dementia I believe. I am no doctor, but she did not have this issue before taking Gabepentin.
Same with my 79 year old mom. Identical !!!
Yeah... Gabapentin can be very wicked... especially for the first 2 or 3 weeks of taking it. In 2002, my doc started me on 1200mg a day... I felt like I was on acid for the first 2 weeks and I was so happy, I was like Julie Andrews dancing in the hills and singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music"... my, my, what a ride that was... lol! Buuuuut... all good things must come to an end... darn it. I don't actually feel those side effects anymore but it does still makes me very lethargic and not wanting to do anything. It's pretty potent stuff and has a number of side effects. It may effect everyone differently but I think it makes most everyone lethargic.
Neurontin: Generic: Apo-Gabapentin. is a drug developed as an anti convulsion medication, but has now been found to be extremely useful as a nerve pain blocker, most commonly prescribed as a 300mg yellow capsule identified as N 300 or APO 300 for Generic.
Yes, I have taken Gabapentin and in my opinion it created a euphoric "high."
Maybe it effects different people differently, but I found myself craving it. My Dr. prescribed it for me but I am wary of this medication.
It is addictive people have withdrawls and they get high from it
Hey yea I agree totally and I will honestly never go without it..it does give this amazing euphoric high that I just love... it's better than freaking ativan, kolonopin or xanax
Same thing happened to me
In my work, I have heard of Gabapentin (Neurontin) being bought and sold on the streets. They are referred to as "Johnnies." I am not sure if Gabapentin is typically used with any other meds or with alcohol. If a med is sold as a stand alone product on the streets and has it's own nickname though, then the med usually does not have to been combined with anything for the desired effect.
Thank you!! Very true I've sold it haha
I take 3x300mg Gabapentin three times a day for nerve damage to my back after two back operations, it works wonderfully well for me and my life would be very painful without it, it completely stops the electric shock, pins and needles feeling, that runs down my legs without it, I find no downside to this med, have been taking it for 16 years now.
I know this thread is old but wanted to comment anyway. I have been taking Gabapentin 600 mg 3xday for several years now but have never felt any sort of high from it. It relieves my diabetic neuropathy in my lower legs.
My stepdaughter abuses her Gabapentin prescription for the high and ends up running out of them before the end of the month and starts asking me for mine. I went along with this for awhile until I realized she was abusing them. I finally said no more. I am not going to enable her anymore. Fortunately she doesn’t live with me or she would probably be stealing them from me. I never understood getting a high from this drug but I guess if you take 4x the prescribed amount you might feel some sort of high. I’m glad I don’t.
Hey - the literature does indicate it can be used as a recreational drug.
Consider this, is the person selling it to others? Could be very bad if yes.
I was prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain from shingles. My side effect was it fixed my constant low back pain allowing me to get off norco. My visual acuity has taken a real hit, but I too feel happier due to less pain. And no more opioids!
When I was on norco, and suspecting missing pills, I got a $60 safe off the amazon.com and no more missing meds.
You may want to see if the gaba is being re-sold. Hate to have that come back on you, since you do know about it.
good luck!
Gabapentin was prescribed by a pain doctor and instantly stopped the pain in my stomach. At thee of this drug daily seems to work. I have been taking Norco for a long time and Gabapentin has allowed me to reduce my use of Norco dramatically.
I am curious the time to take the prescribed three 300mg pills daily? Since this pill was prescribed 4 days ago it was suggested that I take my Nortriptyline and my Norco combination with this drug and take only Gabapentin and my Norco over the day for two more dosages of Gabapentin and use Norco as needed. As said I am new to this drug and I have cut in half my pill of Norco while taking Nortriptyline and Gabapentin first in the morning. So I have been taking a combo of two and on half-pill upon waking in the morning; I will take my half-pill of Norco only with Gabapentin first upon rising in the morning and take the Nortriptyline when I take my last Gabapentin upon retiring.
The taking of Nortriptyline in the morning may cause me drowsiness. I am now only taking Norco half pill in the morning and no more during the day.
Anyone have ideas on dosing with my other meds with Gabapentin in combination over the day? Anyone know the half –life of Gabapentin or its decay curve?
Jeff
It is not suppose to be additive,, yet it lower anxiety therefore it can be psychologically addictive.
I was prescribed gabapentin for pain from severe spinal stenosis. Each time I took it I felt "drunk" but not mentally impaired. I could think OK but I slurred when I spoke and was off balance when I walked. After it cleared up I was "cloudy, tired, and sluggish". I wondered if I should be taking an smaller dose. My doctor switched me to Lyrica which is much better and actually helps with more than the pain. I sleep normal hours now, (my sleep pattern was way off before) and am less irritated. For someone who has to deal with chronic pain for long periods of time, depression and anxiety can develop after we realize that this is going to be an everyday, all day thing. It's hard to relax and rest because even though taking pain meds help, there is always that dread and knowing that it will always be a part of your life, and the worry about the tormenting pain and anxiety when the pain meds begin to wear off, or the fear of running out of medication.
Lyrica seems to help with the anxiety, which then relieves the depression and it leads to restful sleep. It also helps makes time between end and start of doses easier. There is less " wearing off " effects between doses.
It can make you feel dizzy or woozy and when combined with other meds, it can make you feel drunk. I found this out by accident when I had a migraine and needed to take fioricet only to feel loopy 30 minutes later. Thankfully I had someone that I could hang out with until I was ok to drive about 4 hours later.
Azabigail
Please he very careful on the Lyrica as well! I was on gabapentin at a very low dose before and told my Dr that it wasn't he'll ng with my pain... I have fibromyalgia... and instead of upping my dosage she switched me to lyrica and after only a month and a half I was hospitalized due to kidney failure! Lyrica caused me to become severely dehydrated and caused my kidneys to start shutting down! I then after getting home from the hospital did some research on Lyrica and it can cause kidney failure! Thank God I didn't wait to go to the hospital because it could have been much worse! So now they have put me back on gabapentin 300 mg 3x a day! I feel much better on it and btw..I changed drs the one that out me on the Lyrica knew my history and I have always had weak kidney function since I was born and have kidney stones! My Dr now says she should have never put me in it to begin with!
Wow, I was on Lyrica for a few years and it never affected me adversely, thank goodness! I didn't know it could cause kidney failure. I wonder why it affects some people and not others. I switched to gabapentin but after awhile my fibromyalgia pain went away. I still have the trigger points, but no more pain. Not sure why...
I know this post is old, but I'll answer just in case someone new comes across it. If a person is experiencing sever pain from neuropathy, then gabapentin will work wonders. There is a sensation of euphoria, probably from the sudden relief from the pain. Certain condition require a very high dose, such as post herpatic neuralgia, like 2800mg per day, but usually a dosage is 300mg 3x per day. If a person is abusing this medication, suddenly stopping taking it is not recommended. Serious consideration should be given to seeking help to ensure the person is weaned off of it as seizures may occur. This medication mimic gaba, without affecting actual receptors, still, sudden withdrawal has a high risk of major seizures. Best wishes.
The high people may be referring to is probably the effect as an anti anxiety aspect of the med. High doses will make people feel really "ok".
I believe ANY medication can be abused, yet I take gabapentin (2700mgs) and I have NEVER experienced a "high" from it, not even an anxiety-relief feeling from gabapentin, the only thing it does is (and this is debatable) relieve a tiny amount of horrifying peripheral neuropathy.
Just wanted to get my two cents in, gang!
Lara
I have been taking gabapentin for years, it helps with my neck fusion pain. I have been feeling shaky and jiddery the last couple of weeks. I have a son that has been taking my meds. He has gone so far as to remove the powder from the capsules and return them to my bottle... I am not sure what to do. He claims to have depression and thats why he took them... ??? I am lost at what to do.
Thank u for your comment am new here and this helpful I just started this med on top off tramadol x8 daily I suffer from chronic nerve damage for almost 3 year and today was the first day of taking those tablets a do hope they help. A will post updates to help new members like my self
Hi Pam! Just wanted to let you know that *yes,* Gabapentin CAN get you high at certain dosages. Some feel it at lower dosages than others. People report mild to intense euphoria, a feeling of their limbs being light and easy to move, increased talkativeness, warm feelings toward others they don't normally like, and a general calm. This is then followed by drowsiness and lethargy. One develops a tolerance for Gabapentin pretty quickly, so larger dosages become necessary to achieve the same feeling. The good news is that you really can't overdose on this drug unless you inject it. I hope your situation has resolved itself since you last posted!
hello all. LighteningSeeds you are so correct. I take, and abuse, Gabapentin. My prescription is 84... 400gram pills. Enough for a month. They last me 2 days because i get a huge buzz from them. Very talkative, overly social and it works fantastic for my anxiety. I have them for back pain. I dont have epilepsy. Im not proud of taking so many at once, but im so depressed i abuse them for a high for a couple of days. I should tell the doctor i am abusing them i know. But i look forward to a couple of days a month when they put me in a better mood. I dont know if they are causing damage to my liver, kidney etc. I will try to tell my doctor i need to stop what i am doing... Chris.
Ukchris thank you also for sharing. At least I know my son isn't alone in this.
Other than the fact there is a thief in your household, what I worry about is every pill they take from you reduces the amount you can put in your system. So, in a sense they are not only messing with their lives by taking too many, you are being robbed of the relief it was given to you for. Previous statement that this person is probably on other things too is highly likely. You are definitely in a position... so sorry... do what is best for you to keep your meds safe, hidden etc. If all else fails, maybe a close neighbor will let you keep most of them at their house and you can get a day or two worth at a time.
Great answer, Chelle.
I found myself having to buy a small safe and bolting it down to the wall to keep my boyfriend out of my pills. He took so many at one time and got behind the wheel driving and was pulled over and charged with a OWI.. These make you very dizzy and can cause blurry vision. I take 4 at bed time I have MS and I need my medications without this I have horrible nerve pain... do everyone a favor and keep all your pills locked up away from others that are not prescribed too,
She should be kicking him out!!!
Hi Pam.
I put 3 at a time in bottles. Then put them under places with tape that I don't think anyone can find. I've hid them under my washer or dryer, or socks behind other socks in my drawer. I've hidden them all over the place I can think of and I drew myself a map of where I've put them. Be sure to leave 3 where you usually keep them, so he'll think that's all you have. Think about places he would never look. Wrap them with cellophane where you've hidden them. I've even put them in jars of food. Be creative. If you love the person, it would be difficult to call cops. Think about where you might want to move if the problem isn't resolved. This is serious business.
I wish you faith, hope and love,
Anna aka:pickles503
Try a small safe for most of them, just don't mention you put meds in it!
Pam,sounds like you are living in a state of denial that this person actually recuperates your feels of love. .if they are willing to take the medicine basically out of your mouth for their own benefit, then what else will they do... heaven forbid they was a fire and you needed help getting out due to your disability. ..would they actually try and save your life? I don't know all the ins and outs but it doesn't sound like they have your best interests at heart..i hope this finds you and really think about what they are actually capable of in your life. ..please find some family or a pastor to talk about what is going on and kick them out of your life. .
Ok - I have read some of your comments. Some of you or rather most are sincere. You always get the occasional adduce that stop in here and tell you how high they are. I assume most of you that are talking about getting high are on the younger side and have no clue of the reality of life.
Here is a real question. What do you do if the person stealing from you is your spouse? We have gone to counseling, she has admitted to taking them a few times, this and other meds. She just seems to want to escape at times. Won’t go to counseling on her own. I am ALWAYS hiding meds to the point I forget where they are, so I write it down, in code, on my phone, locked in a safe, I have tried everything. Unfortunetly there are times when keeping everything hidden or in a safe is next to impossible. Let’s say it’s 2am and you make up in pain or need something. It’s annoying to go down three flights of stairs to get pills. It causes resentment just thinking of it.
I also keep a single days supply of meds on me (or less) so all won’t be lost. It still happens though.
Any thoughts?
P.S. I broke my back in several places, I have a implanted Medtronic drug pump, Oxycodone 30mg pills at home and a whole host of other meds such as klonopin, gabapentin and things to sleep such as Ambient.
I constantly am counting my pills. I write down the exact amounts in three places and then I have an app on my phone that I use that allows me to quickly click on the medication I am taking and it automatically marks the date and time as well as deducts from what you last told it you had (usually update it when you get your script filled). It’s a great app.
Now, all this said - still not working.
Any thoughts or suggestions? This is breaking my heart every day and I have lost all trust. Even worse, anytime even one pill is off on my count I blame her in my head immedietly. Ugh, I could go on forever. I know someone out there can related.
- feeling helpless
I take 400 MG 2 to 3 times a day. My Dr. wants me to take them three times a day . I also take Wellbutrin. I get a buzz every day. I have one right now. I've talked to my Dr. about it and she seems unconcerned. I have been taking this medication for two years and I honestly get a whoozy, buzzy feeling..I like it, but I wonder why..
You people are crazy. I take 600 mg a day for osteoarthritis in my back and hands cause the stupid drs won't give me the correct medication. I don't feel Jack off this medication. It don't help with pain and it surely don't give you a buzz.
I agree with you. People will convince themselves they are high on anything. They need to get a life and stop abusing our medication.
I've been on it for over five years and I swear by it. Its a life saver not only for pain and sleep but ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AND IS ALSO USED AS A MOOD STABALIZER!!
I think we all need to stop and think for a minute. If a person is not feeling well mentally and starts taking gabapentin are you feeling content and a bit happy now?
I think we need to distinguish the feeling of finally feeling normal ( content and happy). Am I feeling a buzz or am I feeling normal now. ?!
It does though, for some. I experienced it. My dr pulled me from the drug, it was like being drunk. Slurred speech, unsteady...
I was given 100 MG's gabapentin a while ago, but never took it! The doctor neglected to tell me even one reason he thought I needed it! Fast forward, new doc, starts me out at 300 mg 3 times a day! First few days, I remember nothing, I may have eaten 30 adderalls, they are missing! Now, I am getting horrible side effects, I have at least 10 of the *known* sides! Called CVS, told her all of this, she rudely said "it isn't the drug, call your doctor..on a Holiday weekend! I am so bloated, my ankle bones can't be seen, my thighs are 3 inches bigger, I am gaining weight..rapidly! I have swollen glands in my neck ... anyone else?
Sorry it doesn't work for you but it is widely abused and most people get a high from it. See the thread.
Nonsense. It's a commonly abused drug and it gives quite a high.
Nonsense. It's a commonly abused drug and it gives quite a high.
I take 3200 mgs a day. Ive never got a buzz or high from it.
Also take in consideration that if this person has been on this medication religiously & they stop cold turkey they can go in to seizures! They have to be whined off! I Took this med & it does give you a high I had 900 mg
I was at 3600mgs a day and found no "high" on gabapentin, yet some people will abuse this until their bodies adjust. Go figure, bath salts, vodka eyeball shots and now your mum's gabapentin!
You don't need any other drug to get high on Gabapentin. See the threads.
Hello pam berta. No. Unless a person is mixing this drug with another to reach as you stated "a high" That might be a possability. Regards pledge
I just got a whole bottle of 90 and I took 5 right off the bat and I'm high as he'll I got a nice speed buzz same affect as tramadol or Vicks so..
I definitely get a speedy Buzz off of gabapentin I take 600mg 3x a day for anxiety works wonders
No true. This drug can get u high without any other
not true!! U don't need to mix gabs with ANYTHING to reach a euphoric high. This is getting more and more popular because it's a drug for nerve damage pain it deals a lot in that area of brain to give u a high
I take a Lot of it. Helps my anxiety and I get a very relaxed feeling. If you smoke with it it's a good day
Not true. And it's newer cousin Lyrica "gets you there" even faster.
I sometimes take 300mg of Gabapentin on top of the 600mg of Trileptal I'm prescribed and it DEFINITELY gives me a buzz.
Incorrect.
I take 900 mg of gabapentin for nerve damage. I have never felt any kind of reaction other than my nerve pain settling down.
I take 900 mg of gabapentin for nerve damage. I have never felt any kind of reaction other than my nerve pain settling down.
I really don't see how anyone can get high of these I was taking them well I stopped I slept for 4 days then stopped
Exactly correct.. I get the same effect
pam barta, Hello. I'm not disagreeing with anyone or their answers at all. I love all these people and value and take their opinions. I'm just saying that my dr. just prescribed it abouta month and a half ago, and he told me not to drive the first couple of days, just to make sure I was ok with the effects. And the pharmacist said it wasnt a strong dose. There were a lot stronger one. I definately felt dizzy and whoozy the first few days. At the time, my 18 yr old son was living here, and I asked him to go pick up my son from school. It was definately like a tiny little high. but I felt it for a while. It doesn't do that to me anymore, but Iswear on my life, it effected me. As far as the other parts of the question, I would take the advise that all the other people have given. Take care, Ruthie
Yes, Ruthie, you are exactly correct. I felt like I was floating whenever I started it, some might call that a high. Also the kids make drug cocktails- mix prescription drugs, grab a handful and take them- usually with alcohol. It's possible that they found another med to use with Gabapentin-and they are on another planet. None of us were thinking of drug cocktails.
Hi. Just read your question and some of the comments... I have epilepsy, and I take Keppra @ 3000mg/day and 600mg/day of gabapentin. The first week or so, I started off @ 300mg a night, then to 600mg/day. So far, its been working, no seizure activity whatsoever. After all, gabapentin is primarily a seizure medication; however, it helps with neurological pain and I gotta tell you, I feel GREAT!!! I can't describe it 100%, but I have so much energy, people I couldn't tolerate before are suddenly "OK"! I know people abuse it, but I stay on my daily dose... I've cheated and taken extra before, but why compromise what's already working. That's addictive behavior. As far as the correct dose per person, everyone is different and what might work for me might not work for you. Anyway, I hope this helped...
I agree with you i'm on Gabapentin 300 mg 3 x a day, and it makes me feel a little weird, a little high you could say, off balance, and loopy so I guess anything is possible I don't like how this drug makes me feel, but it does help. I would move your medication to make sure he doesn't take any more of it. Good luck :-)
You are exactly right pam barta ! I take 500mg four times a day n feel great ! I take it for knee pain n it is in the same class as tramadol ! Just look up Gabapentin n it will tell you ! I recomend it highly for pain !
I started out on gabapentin about six months ago. I am cursed with chronic pain and am taking fentanyl and Percocet for about two years. Starting dose of gabapentin was 1800 mg a day. My pain was gone in a week. Still on it, no high just no more pain.
I used to be on a 900 mg per day dose for about 8 years or so. I stopped taking it and have now re-started again - at the same dose. I thought I was having issues due to 2 other meds I began taking at the same time. Wow, what a drug cocktail that I would NOT recommend to anyone. Now that the 2 other meds are gone and I thought out of my system, I am still have some issues in the afternoon evening. I can't tell what is causing the problem. Sometimes it seems like a diabetic problem or a blood pressure problem. But it was not that. After reading these comments, I realize that it might be the gab!
I hope that I get used to it quick as it has made a huge change in the pain in my hands. Although it makes it harder to type accurately. lol
It is not a typical drug of abuse but if taken in excess it can cause low BP, dizziness some people like side effects. If your family member is abusing this drug then they are displaying the signs and symptoms of addiction and are likely to be abusing other drugs legal or otherwise. No one can stop an addict from using until they hit a bottom and want to stop. I suggest NARANON, ALANON support for you. They will teach you about the disease and help you to set healthy boundaries and learn to cope with your addict.
Hi Lilmamatj, may I ask if you are my old friend Jaimie? Just in case you are not Jaimie, welcome to this site. If you are Jaimie, I'm very glad to see you again!
Lara or (sweet lemon)
Gabapentin isnt usually a drug of abuse but a person can be psychologically addicted to anything if they make up their minds to be. Keep your meds locked up. If this person is a child or adolescent, they may need help to fight their addiction/addictive personality. If this person is an adult then you may need to tell them to leave the drugs alone or find another living arrangement and try to get them to seek help for their compulsive need to take this medication.
Related topics
diabetic nerve damage, gabapentin, diabetic neuropathy
Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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