There are different types of gabapentin addiction treatment. However, a long-term plan will be based on whether one has a pre-existing condition such as another substance abuse disorder or the underlying reason(s) why they started taking gabapentin. If someone has been using gabapentin and other substances such as narcotics or alcohol, stopping medication use might not be enough to deal with this addiction. You will be psychologically and physically dependent on the drug at some point, meaning you may need a long-term treatment plan developed by a certified addiction recovery facility.
Treating a gabapentin addiction is usually more complex than addressing other substance abuse disorders because it is often combined with multiple addictions. However, regardless of the difficulty of the treatment process, recovery is still a possibility. Comprehensive addiction treatment programs can combine several methods to help recovering individuals quit gabapentin successfully.
These programs help people learn the underlying reasons for their drug use, identify the negative behavior patterns leading to their abuse, know how to manage cravings, and learn how to deal with triggers.
How Long Does Gabapentin Detox Last?
Anyone who needs gabapentin addiction treatment has to go through medical detox first. This process gets rid of any foreign substances from the body, which includes gabapentin in this case. People going through a gabapentin detox are usually encouraged to get the maximum support through medical supervision. This includes tapering off the drug to make the withdrawal process safer and more comfortable for the user and reduce the chances of experiencing side effects or symptoms.
Tapering includes a prescribing medical professional slowly reducing the medication dosage that you are taking over a specific period until you are off of it. This is the safest way to detox from gabapentin, but it can extend the process. Tapering allows your body to slowly get used to the decreased amount of gabapentin in the system while minimizing some uncomfortable effects of the detox.
However, it is advisable to taper off gabapentin for at least one week. The specific tapering schedule will be based on the person’s mental and medical health status and chances of sticking to the doctor’s instructions. Other contributing factors include:
- The individual’s current regimen and dosage
- The condition for which they are taking gabapentin
Other factors can also influence a gabapentin taper hence the importance of working with a physician to establish the proper schedule to meet your needs. This is because some people might not react well to the usual timeline and will need to modify the dose.
Withdrawal symptoms usually start 12 hours to 7 days after taking the last dose of gabapentin. They can go on for up to 10 days, after which the user can develop intense changes in high blood pressure, chest pain, and mental status. However, some people may keep experiencing symptoms after this point.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) advises that long-term gabapentin addiction treatment of at least 90 days is ideal and most effective for helping recovering individuals maintain sobriety. Attending a rehab program for fewer than 90 days will have limited efficiency in achieving recovery. Various factors will affect a gabapentin addiction, and thus, the duration required to treat this substance abuse disorder will depend on these factors.
The average duration of addiction treatment programs is as follows:
- Drug detox is usually 3 to 7 days (or slightly longer).
- Short-term inpatient treatment goes for 28 to 30 days.
- Long-term inpatient treatment usually lasts for 60 to 90 days.
- Outpatient treatment often lasts for 120 to 150 days.
Depending on the extent of one’s substance abuse disorder, one can choose among the above-mentioned rehab programs.
30-Day Rehab Programs (Short-term Treatment)
Most people who are dependent on gabapentin can start with this program, whose duration might be deemed sufficient for recovery. Sometimes the participant will find out whether they need to go on with the program after completing the 30 days, or they will finish up and proceed directly to aftercare. 30-day rehab programs comprise mental and physical care strategically designed to help the person heal.
60-day Programs
This program is an intensive gabapentin addiction treatment rehab, including tailored sessions with family and loved ones. The patient’s family will have a meaningful contribution to their healing with the right amount of time to detox from gabapentin fully.
90-day Rehab Programs (Long-term Treatment)
The timeline for this type of rehab program might seem tedious and lengthy. Still, the longer you take up treatment, the better the chances of sustaining sobriety during gabapentin addiction recovery.
The patient typically goes through medical detox, therapy, evaluation, and aftercare during the treatment period. Individuals suffering from severe, long-term addictions are usually advised to go for this type of rehab program to ensure maximum chances for success. With a flexible payment schedule and a good insurance plan, it is possible to attain lasting sobriety and good health, especially since the 90-day rehab option for gabapentin addiction treatment can be pretty expensive.
Extended Aftercare
Once you complete the 30-90 day rehab programs, it is essential to strengthen your resolve to sustain sobriety by going into an aftercare program. Sober-living programs are part of recovery aftercare. They offer a sense of support and an environment to learn and share through other recovering individuals’ experiences.
The proper aftercare program allows you to:
- Gain a sense of fulfillment and purpose
- Establish coping mechanisms to deal with relapse
- Enhance your relationships during recovery
One gains physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental wellness through aftercare, but overall, recovery is a journey you walk all your life. Overcoming a gabapentin addiction takes continuous effort and work, but you will come out of it having learned how to live a sober life and use the tools you’ve picked up in recovery.
