Gabapentin for Alcohol Withdrawal User Reviews (Page 2)

• hybri...
• October 30, 2011

"I have been taking gabapentin for years. Started after stopped drinking. Had a recent 3 mos alcoholic relapse and continued taking gabapentin during and after. Have been surprised by how easy the alcohol withdrawal has been. Am also taking Antabuse to avoid a slip but I don't think this is supposed to help reduce the desire to drink. Anyway, the biggest reason I wanted to post is that I want to caution anyone who tries to get off gabapentin to do so very slowly like maybe reduce by 100 mg or 10% per week, whichever is less. I have had horrible anxiety, shivers, sweats, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, pain and more trying to get off it."

• Sidew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2017

"My husband has been an alcoholic for 16 years. He has struggled with depression, severe anxiety with disassociation, and seizures. Alcohol was the only thing that helped. Yesterday he was prescribed gabapentin at a starting dose of 100mg 3 times daily. About an hour after his first dose he stated that he felt different and better and he didn't feel the need to drink. A couple of hours later he stated that for the first time since puberty he felt like himself. He has only taken one dose, but if you're thinking about trying this medication for alcohol dependance, there's strong research that it is beneficial, and can help fix the imbalance in your brain that makes you need alcohol. It's worth a try. Blessings to you"

• Malibu
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2016

"I went on gabapentin for alcoholism that troubled me for 10 years when nothing including Alcoholics Anonymous barely worked. I read anecdotal information that it helped with alcoholism, went on 600mg twice daily and it was the first thing that helped me. Now I take 1200mg twice daily and find it works great! Afterwards I read a study in the Journal of American Medicine, Gabapentin in Alcohol Dependance, 2014 that confirmed it works well in many people for cravings and binge drinking. This medicine should be further studied to confirm it works well. On this site it is obvious it helps a lot of people struggling with alcoholism which I have, along with Bipolar Disorder. I call Gabapentin my" happy pills" that also takes away my anxiety."

• Toomb...
• July 26, 2020

"Not alcohol withdrawal, Abuse. I've lived with having to argue with myself every day saying "Don't drink today" " I must not drink today" my days were consumed with me arguing with myself and not having the mental band width to deal with other things. and of course I mostly lost the arguments to not drink. Until.... until Gabapentin. I started taking it 6 weeks ago for nerve pain. I denounce any doctor that does not offer this to any patient that they suspect alcohol abuse, as gabapentin is MAGIC. I still argue with myself to not drink but I have begun to realize it is just a 50 year old habit. I have no desire to drink. NONE... I did however go out shooting pool with my son and friends and had a beer just one beer with my son and friends, was fantastic. If you drink and hate yourself half as much as I did, you must try gabapentin for your problem - it is magic, pure and simple. Doctors, shame on you for not offering if off-label to anyone you suspect of having AUD."

• Neil
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 28, 2019

"It was a miracle for me I on highest dose a day. I got it for my neuropathy and it helped a lot to deal with my alcoholism which was an unexpected bonus, but I have to say I've detoxed from pretty much everything so if you want to go off it taper! Cause withdrawal off gabapentin is right up there for severe terrible withdrawal symptoms, they told me it was non narcotic and non addictive well I challange my doc to start a regiment and try to stop then he'll find out! Non addictive - my ass lol"

• Sober...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2016

"I suffer from generalized anxiety and abused alcohol heavily for over a year for sleep and stress reduction. When ready to quit, I was terrified of withdrawal, my doctor prescribed 300mg, 3x a day. So far, so good. I've been on it for a month and have noticed really helps my anxiety. Sober just three days but feeling okay! Some precautions: Experiencing a little weight gain and notice an increased appetite an hour after I take this medication. Also I notice when I miss a dose almost immediately. Good luck! It's worth it!"

• Caution...
• December 28, 2020

"I am only a few days into my abstinence from alcohol, but I'm beyond thrilled/baffled that I'm here at all. I was drinking nearly a bottle of wine at night to soothe stress and anxiety, but the fall out was mood swings and hang-overs. I read in an article how gabapentin helped with alcohol withdrawal and/or cravings. By way of experiment, I tried it, and as if by magic, I had no cravings for drinking. Gabapentin seems like a miracle drug to me. It truly is the game-changer I never even imagined existed. If you're looking to quit or reduce your alcohol dependence, try it. You'll be dazzled. Suddenly, I feel so much more positive about myself and my future. Good luck and power to you all."

• Trying
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2019

"Dr. recommended Gabapentin for alcohol withdrawal starting with one 100mg at night for 3 nights and it is working. Then twice a day for 3 days. Will increase to three times per day (300 mg per day). Helped cut down on wine consumption. I feel the effects of the alcohol much sooner so don't need/want to drink as much. Seems to be really helping! I do notice that I feel a little confused though. Very happy with it otherwise."

• Cenizo
• December 16, 2015

"I've detoxed several times. The last one was really bad. This time My Dr. put me gabapentin 300 mg. 3 times a day and Lithium. I usually suffer withdrawals for 5-7 days. I did have anxiety for two days, but I'm on day 3, no anxiety and no cravings."

• Dianey
• September 24, 2020

"Gabapentin has been a godsend for me. It has kept me sober from alcohol for over 2 years. Introduced to it when I went in to detox and 28-day rehab. Had dual diagnosis alcohol abuse/anxiety. I could not believe that I would ever quit my daily heavy wine drinking for 20+ years but here I am and so happy, proud and truly know gabapentin got me sober and no cravings ever after 2 years. Please consider it if you were like me who never knew about it. And it is not a controlled medication."

• aslasha
• March 27, 2015

"i was drinking heavily for a few months and had to go to detox 6 weeks ago. i thought i'd be okay to drink about five days ago--started one day with four drinks, escalated to 12 drinks yesterday. i'm taking neurontin (600 mg 4x/day) right now because i'm scared of withdrawal. i expected i would be having symptoms today and would have to do an at-home 3-4 day taper. instead i have had two drinks today, that plus the neurontin and .5 mg of klonopin with barely noticeable symptoms. i hope to have less than five drinks today, maximum of two tomorrow and then stop for good after. highly recommend this!"

• dres
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

"I used 1800mg per day for several years while in recovery from opiates, then alcohol abuse. I was shocked to find extremely minimal withdrawal symptoms on a very fast, doctor prescribed and monitored taper. The taper began at 900mg per day, and went down 300mg every 3 days, going from 300mg to 0. I've had a few sleep disturbances, but I experienced those from time to time on the 1800mg per day prescription as well."

• Freedom
• August 5, 2021

"I was drinking about a 750ml a night and then a couple quarts on the weekend. I had 4 seizures due to alcohol withdrawal, have been in detox 4 times, hospitalized a bunch and had severe liver Cirrhosis and kidney failure. I tried naltrexone but just kept drinking, tried therapy, anti-depressants, and some AA meetings but nothing helped. When not intoxicated I had horrible anxiety, insomnia, depression and thought about killing myself. I drank not to feel happy but to basically survive. I finally saw an amazing compassionate doctor during my latest hospitalization from withdrawal. He prescribed me gabapentin and have been sober 6 months. Gabapentin has changed my life. I never thought I could go this long without drinking. I take it 3 times a day at 300mg and I’m ridiculously happy. My anxiety is basically gone and I can sleep again. I feel almost normal is social situations. Gone is the feeling of impending doom. I would highly recommend this to anyone, it was a miracle drug for me."

• kwhile
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2020

"I've been on several drugs for AUD, among them topiramate and naltrexone, both drugs worked very well for the craving and I could quit drinking but because of the side effects I had to quit taking them in the short term, which caused me to drink again, this time for recommendation from a friend I started taking 300mg 3x day, and I have seen the results from day one, almost 0 craving. I have had some drink while on it but min quantities compare to how I was before taking the med, I and having almost all week alcohol free, worth trying for AUD."

• Sissy
• October 26, 2017

"I have a boyfriend who has been drinking alcohol for years, he's 51 & drinks the 20% alcohol, and he got gabapentin 600 mg 3x day and it worked the FIRST day! I'm hoping he stays sober. Thanks for this site. Good luck to all."

• bill
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2021

"I got gabapentin after a binge episode that landed me in the hospital. It worked immediately at a low dose. No thoughts of drinking. I would typically binge on 24 tall cans a day. After three days of this medication, I've had one beer, and I think it will be my last - and my home is fully stocked to the point I could destroy myself. It just works. It's likely saved my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2020

"Been on the Gabapentin for a couple weeks now to help with Alcohol Withdrawal. I believe I have hereditary AUD and have been a strong with my alcohol intake for roughly 15 years. My psychiatrist recommended the doses of 900 3x/ day. I take only 300 at around the typical time I would have a drink and it really does work. I tried the full recommendation of dose but The side effects where to powerful... sleepiness being a major one and not being able to sleep a full cycle at night. I find 30mg at dinner time is good for me, along with some will power. I’m sensitive to medication also so it will be different for everyone. Give it a try it does work."

• thega...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2016

"Just found this site. Was prescribed Gabapentin 3 yrs. ago for neck pain. Made me too groggy & sleepy so didn't take the 1200 mgs daily as prescribed. I stopped using it. It was also to help neuropathy. Drs. never mentioned it would ease anxiety or withdrawals from alcohol. As a binge drinker 25 yrs. I'm willing to try it again to stop alcohol cravings. BUT have read withdrawals from gabbys are severe, as bad as withdrawals from 1) alcohol & 2) opiates. Anyone off gabbys & if so how bad was it? Am not going to start them until I hear pros and cons of stopping them. Only took sporadically. None in 2016. Am 57 yr. old female have a prescription. Thanks."

• JustA...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2021

"I've been a chronic alcoholic for over thirty years, but this drug really helps. It's odd: it does have an anxiolytic effect (not as much as the benzos), but it takes away the cravings (and I mean it REALLY takes them away). I have no idea what the mechanism is, but I I'm glad that it works!"

• G Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2017

"This was like the light switch flipped to off for me. I never thought there would be a medication that stopped craving for drinking. 1200 mg per day and I am not thinking about drinking at all! The obsession is simply lifted! I also attend AA and many there are skeptical, but they do say. "Science may one day acheive this, but it hasn't done so yet." Maybe now it has. I even had a drink the other day, and I didn't fall back into the mental obsession as in previous relapses. Lets hope more doctors prescribe this for alcohol dependance."

• deete...
• December 15, 2017

"The only medicine I've tried for my benzodiazepine withdrawal, out of countless psychiatric meds and supplements, to help at all versus benzo withdrawal. Helps me feel more like myself. Also calms my anxiety quite a bit. Hoping this doesn't backfire like benzos themselves did, but so far, a life-saver. Taking just 100mg every 4-5 hours."

• Guyla...
• December 16, 2020

"I have had alcohol problems for 40 years and was never able to stop for more then a few weeks. I have been taken gabapentin 100mg, 3 times a day and 15 mg of mirtazapine at bedtime gabapentin amazing. I can finally sleep and think before I drink, like my mind is not running all the time at 100 miles an hour. Its been 6 months now and I can finally say, I have a life."

• Joseph...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2020

"I actually started taking Gabapentin about 6 months ago for nerve pain, not for alcohol withdrawal. I didn't know this medication has proven, in some people, to be an effective treatment for alcohol withdrawal. I've had issues with alcohol for a number of years where I would drink steadily then stop for a long period of time. I've gone through the 12 step program a few times now, but relapsed. When I ran across this information on Gabapentin I was quite surprised since it's had NO effect, absolutely NONE, in terms of reducing my craving for alcohol even though I'm taking 2,000 mg/per day . Glad to hear it works for some people ... keep up the good work."

• Bella
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2018

"Gabapentin helped me horrible back issues due to a car accident and also with suboxone withdrawals when I started tapering off. But unfortunately when I stopped taking them I experienced horrible horrible withdrawals. My doctor is helping me taper off of them and it's gonna take awhile. Rapid weight gain is one of its side effects."

• water...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2022

"45 year old woman, overdrinking since I was 22. Only ever beer and wine, but a slow but steady increase over the years. Had recently got up to 5-6 large glasses (about a bottle and a half) per night, nearly every night. I had managed to quit for 18 months prior to covid, but succumbed to PAWS/anxiety/depression and started drinking again. Then I heard about Naltrexone and The Sinclair Method, and started that, feeling super hopeful. However, while Naltrexone took the "zing" away, it didn't reduce alcohol's (short term) anxiety-reducing effects, which is the primary reason I drink. I tried for a year without luck and got very discouraged, but then my doctor prescribed 300 mg Gabapentin to assist. After experimenting with the timing, it seems that if I take Gabapentin around 2pm, and then Naltrexone around 6pm, and have my "first" drink around 8...I then have ZERO desire for more! Even when stressed! G reduces anxiety; N eliminates the endorphin hit...feeling VERY hopeful again! No side effects."