More than 131 million people in the United States take prescription medications.[1] While most prescription drugs are safe when used as prescribed, some have the potential for unwanted or dangerous side effects. 

In some cases, combining prescription drugs and alcohol can be dangerous. This is true for a drug called gabapentin. People who take gabapentin should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.

This article will explore the dangers of mixing alcohol and gabapentin. You will learn:

• The side effects and risks of gabapentin
• The effects of gabapentin abuse and the risk of addiction
• Why drinking alcohol while taking gabapentin can be dangerous
• How to recognize alcohol abuse or addiction
• Where to find substance abuse treatment

If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol use disorder or another type of substance abuse, you are not alone. Contact the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists to explore our holistic treatment programs. 

Our holistic approach to addiction treatment can help to heal your body and mind as you work toward lifelong recovery. Reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a prescription medication commonly sold under the brand name Neurontin. Doctors may prescribe gabapentin to patients to treat nerve pain, restless leg syndrome, and epileptic seizures.[2] 

Medical experts believe gabapentin works by calming activity and signals in the brain. This reduction in excitatory activity can reduce sensations of pain and seizure activity.[3] 

People may experience other side effects while taking gabapentin, including less anxiety and sedation. People who take gabapentin must follow their doctor’s instructions to minimize the risk of unwanted side effects and physical dependence. 

Gabapentin Abuse and Addiction

Gabapentin is a prescription medication. People must only take gabapentin under careful medical supervision to reduce the risk of side effects. Unwanted side effects are possible, even when people take gabapentin as prescribed. 

Some side effects of gabapentin include:[4]

• Anxiety
• Back and joint pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Ear pain
• Excessive drowsiness
• Fever
• Headache
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Memory problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Red or itchy eyes
• Swelling in limbs
• Tremors
• Uncontrolled eye movements
• Unsteadiness
• Unusual thoughts

In rare instances, people can experience more severe side effects while taking gabapentin. These include:

• Swelling in the face and mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Rashes
• Seizures

People who experience these severe side effects must seek immediate medical attention.

People may also experience euphoria while taking gabapentin, especially in high doses. People may like the euphoric or “high” feeling they get while taking gabapentin. This can increase the risk of abuse and addiction.[5]

Gabapentin abuse includes:

• Taking a larger dose than prescribed
• Taking it more often than prescribed
• Using it for a longer period than prescribed
• Taking it without a prescription (recreational use)

Misusing gabapentin can lead to physical dependence. Using larger doses of gabapentin than prescribed also puts people at risk of an overdose. 

Signs of a gabapentin overdose include:

• Slurring
• Excessive drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Double vision

A gabapentin overdose is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical intervention.

Between 2019 and 2020, gabapentin was detected in about 10% of toxicology reports tested in a research study.[6]

What are the Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Gabapentin?

Medical providers often warn patients about the dangers of mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs or increase the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream. 

Combining alcohol and gabapentin can worsen the side effects of both substances.[4,7] Since both substances reduce central nervous system (CNS) activity, mixing them can lead to dangerous situations. 

Some of the possible effects of mixing alcohol and gabapentin include:

• Worsening depression
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shallow or slow breathing that leads to a dangerous lack of oxygen to the brain
• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue
• Drastic changes in mood or behavior
• Decrease or loss of consciousness
• Suicidal thoughts

People who take gabapentin must stop drinking while taking this medication. Tell your doctor about other medications you are taking and follow their instructions. Discuss any unwanted side effects right away. 

Recognizing Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

Your doctor may recommend that you stop drinking alcohol while taking certain medications, including gabapentin. If you find it difficult to stop drinking while taking a prescription medication, it may mean you need help for alcohol addiction. 

The first step in getting help is recognizing a problem. Some signs of alcohol abuse or addiction include:

• Regularly drinking more than you planned to
• Taking risks while drinking, like driving while drunk or having unsafe sex
• Having legal, financial, or social trouble related to your drinking
• Needing to drink more to get “buzzed” or being able to drink a lot without appearing intoxicated
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (tremors, sweating, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, etc.) when you stop drinking
• Having cravings for alcohol
• Finding it’s very challenging to stop drinking when you want

Experiencing some of these signs of alcohol addiction can indicate you need substance abuse treatment. Comprehensive treatment uses evidence-based and holistic therapies to help people address the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of alcohol abuse. 

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with prescription drug or alcohol abuse, you are not alone. Contact the Moving Mountains Recovery specialists to explore our holistic treatment and recovery support programs. 

References:

1. Georgetown University: Health Policy Institute: Prescription Drugs
2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Gabapentin
3. Harvard Health Publishing: Gabapentin: Uses, side effects, and what you should know if you’ve been prescribed this medication
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Gabapentin label
5. National Institute of Health (NIH): Substance misuse of gabapentin
6. JAMA Network: Gabapentin Increasingly Implicated in Overdose Deaths
7. National Institute of Health (NIH): A double-blind evaluation of gabapentin on alcohol effects and drinking in a clinical laboratory paradigm