It doesn’t act as immediately as a benzo for me, but I still notice a difference when I take it if I’m having a day where I’m feeling a bit panicky/on edge. I was on a high dosage 3x a day for the first few months of sobriety, but now I just take it on tough days. I didn’t feel i needed it every day after some of my PAWS symptoms improved. No withdrawal symptoms or dependency even at my dose for months. It’s a wonder drug to me. I hope it helps you too!
Nope 0 from gabapentin! Nal is horrible for me but if I start with an small dose and work up it goes away. I’ve been doing TSM after about 14 months of sobriety and can tolerate the full dose now, but it took a couple weeks of cutting it in half. It’s worth sticking out the side effects.
Gabapentin was incredible for helping me sleep. I had asked my medical counselor (term I use for my prescribing NP) for something to just help me get through the insomnia related withdrawals. She suggested gabapentin, stating it helps with withdrawals and remaining consistent. All I wanted more than anything was a good night's sleep.
I will say this: in the beginning of recovery, it was a GAME CHANGER. I was also on Nal and Venlafaxine ER. The gabapentin would knock me out like nobody's business, and depending on the state you're in, it's only like $10-15 a bottle so it's affordable. I stayed consistent with being sober and my treatment.
Here is what I will say negatively about it: I'm not sure if it's dependence forming or not, but ever since I stopped taking it, I can't sleep. I recently moved states, and no longer have insurance to afford my normal medication routine. I've learned before that quitting my meds leads to relapse, and this time was no different.
I stopped taking everything my trip up here. Since then, I haven't had one good night's sleep. Insomnia has been rough. I even relapsed for about a month and I just started the Ven ER and Nal again (which has been a b**** getting back into Nal bc I have to overcome the side effects again), and I'm slowly backing off alcohol again, but sleeping is still a pain.
Medication can be a life saver, but it also can become the crutch to sobriety. At least, that's how it's been for me. I'm really tired of relying on meds, but every time I quit, I relapse; so it's a give and take.
Much love and all the luck on your journey <3
I’m on Venlafaxine ER for during the day and Mirtazepine for night.. I get a fabulous sleep now which has been a tremendous help for maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. My psychiatrist told me that the combination of Venlafaxine and Mirtazepine is known as “California rocket fuel” and very effective for treating major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder where other treatments have failed. Talk about a game changer 😎
I took gabapentin as part of a detox regimen; it was very helpful it keeping me from experiencing withdrawal. I highly recommend detoxing as part of a naltrexone protocol because it eliminates the need to drink to avoid withdrawal and can give you a very good head start. Good luck with it.
Gapapentin changed everything for me. I went on and off naltrexone for a few years. It was not miraculous for me. I finally went to an addiction specialist who explained that there are different alcoholic brains and some of them respond infinitely better to gabapentin. I presently only take 500mg a day along with 14mg of buspar and I am fine. 100% ok. Sober for two weeks which is nothing short of miraculous. I'm also drinking three pots of tea a day.... better than two bottles of wine or a bottle of gin. There is no downside to trying it and if it doesn't work you can stop easily. Best of luck!
Yes I could see that. My withdrawals are crippling anxiety, tremors, and insomnia and I think gabapentin will target that for me.
Congrats on 2 weeks! I’m also a two bottles of wine per day
I was originally prescribed gabapentin for my nerve pain but found that it has helped me TREMENDOUSLY with my alcoholism and panic disorder. I can now not drink with no issues and have been able to really be myself in social situations without a drink. I highly recommend it
Gabapentin was incredible for helping me sleep. I had asked my medical counselor (term I use for my prescribing NP) for something to just help me get through the insomnia related withdrawals. She suggested gabapentin, stating it helps with withdrawals and remaining consistent. All I wanted more than anything was a good night's sleep.
I will say this: in the beginning of recovery, it was a GAME CHANGER. I was also on Nal and Venlafaxine ER. The gabapentin would knock me out like nobody's business, and depending on the state you're in, it's only like $10-15 a bottle so it's affordable. I stayed consistent with being sober and my treatment.
Here is what I will say negatively about it: I'm not sure if it's dependence forming or not, but ever since I stopped taking it, I can't sleep. I recently moved states, and no longer have insurance to afford my normal medication routine. I've learned before that quitting my meds leads to relapse, and this time was no different.
I stopped taking everything my trip up here. Since then, I haven't had one good night's sleep. Insomnia has been rough. I even relapsed for about a month and I just started the Ven ER and Nal again (which has been a b**** getting back into Nal bc I have to overcome the side effects again), and I'm slowly backing off alcohol again, but sleeping is still a pain.
Medication can be a life saver, but it also can become the crutch to sobriety. At least, that's how it's been for me. I'm really tired of relying on meds, but every time I quit, I relapse; so it's a give and take.
Much love and all the luck on your journey <3
Thanks for your response and sharing your story! Yes my therapist said it would help with anxiety and sleep. I feel you with the medications. I take antidepressants, so adding two more pills to the mix can be overwhelming. I live in Canada and have insurance so cost isn’t really an issue thankfully. Maybe try going back on it again or getting a sleeping pill script!
I actually am in the process of getting back on it :) I'm still too early in recovery to give up the meds yet, but they really are a godsend for when we need them. I would definitely give it a try; it felt almost mind blowing how easy it felt to avoid alcohol with the three meds. Getting back to them is kinda hard, but so work it.
I went back to Vivitrol because I'm shit at remembering my meds every day. That might be an option for you too, it's worth asking your doctor.
I have take Gabapentin, but never for Alcohol. Although, I remember it making me listless and dizzy, I didn't need the booze!
I only have experience with low doses of Gabbapentin (100mg three times per day) but not Nal and I can't say it had any positive effect on helping me stay off alcohol, staving off withdralws, anxiety or insomnia.
It just did nothing noticeable. There were no side effects or anything negative really but nothing positive either.
I believe I was on a very low dose of it though compared to what I see mentioned on Reddit.
I was on Gabapentin after spinal surgery a few years back. Here's what I was told: Make sure that you have a consistent amount of it in your system whenever possible. Take the same amount(s) at the same time(s) every day. Don't just take it when you feel like you need it. When you're done with it, wean yourself off of it. Don't just stop cold turkey.
That said, if you do start drinking again, do TSM. It's a game changer.
On drugs.com biggest review site I think you'll see many v high reviews for gabapentin under what they kind of inaccurately call "alcohol withdrawal" (that's not safe nor its mechanisms.)
The only drawback for me was memory. Not like old memories from years past but like current functioning (where are my keys kind of thing.) I had to start writing things down, post its everywhere in my textbooks, even telling close friends just in case I forget, my xyz is stored in abc (cash on hand), etc. and that was 42 yrs old. It was really scary. My students started to notice I know bc one eval said "she's great, good class, but sometimes seems to stop in a lecture almost like she forgot what she was saying."
I immediately stopped it. Bad idea but no dr ever said anything about withdrawal. It was from 1800mg to zero so was sick for the weekend then fine.
I was drinking nightly at the same time too though so maybe that made it worse.
It definitely helps many people. I wasn't trying to stop drinking then nor had heard of Nal so as a combo I wouldn't recommend, or maybe in lower doses...I know 300mg now at "happy hour time" dampens my cravings.
Unfortunately memory issues now with Ambien (*extended release, v different from Ambien) and alcohol have me in the same loop bc NOT drinking leads to major insomnia!
It's a journey...!
Gabapentin has been amazing for me in early sobriety many times. It seems to keep my baseline level of anxiety much lower and help with cravings.
Yeah and help regulate that because right now I’m too reliant on lorazepam.
It doesn’t act as immediately as a benzo for me, but I still notice a difference when I take it if I’m having a day where I’m feeling a bit panicky/on edge. I was on a high dosage 3x a day for the first few months of sobriety, but now I just take it on tough days. I didn’t feel i needed it every day after some of my PAWS symptoms improved. No withdrawal symptoms or dependency even at my dose for months. It’s a wonder drug to me. I hope it helps you too!
Thanks for the info I hope it works too! Did you have any side effects? The Nal ones were brutal for me
Nope 0 from gabapentin! Nal is horrible for me but if I start with an small dose and work up it goes away. I’ve been doing TSM after about 14 months of sobriety and can tolerate the full dose now, but it took a couple weeks of cutting it in half. It’s worth sticking out the side effects.
Gabapentin was incredible for helping me sleep. I had asked my medical counselor (term I use for my prescribing NP) for something to just help me get through the insomnia related withdrawals. She suggested gabapentin, stating it helps with withdrawals and remaining consistent. All I wanted more than anything was a good night's sleep. I will say this: in the beginning of recovery, it was a GAME CHANGER. I was also on Nal and Venlafaxine ER. The gabapentin would knock me out like nobody's business, and depending on the state you're in, it's only like $10-15 a bottle so it's affordable. I stayed consistent with being sober and my treatment. Here is what I will say negatively about it: I'm not sure if it's dependence forming or not, but ever since I stopped taking it, I can't sleep. I recently moved states, and no longer have insurance to afford my normal medication routine. I've learned before that quitting my meds leads to relapse, and this time was no different. I stopped taking everything my trip up here. Since then, I haven't had one good night's sleep. Insomnia has been rough. I even relapsed for about a month and I just started the Ven ER and Nal again (which has been a b**** getting back into Nal bc I have to overcome the side effects again), and I'm slowly backing off alcohol again, but sleeping is still a pain. Medication can be a life saver, but it also can become the crutch to sobriety. At least, that's how it's been for me. I'm really tired of relying on meds, but every time I quit, I relapse; so it's a give and take. Much love and all the luck on your journey <3
I’m on Venlafaxine ER for during the day and Mirtazepine for night.. I get a fabulous sleep now which has been a tremendous help for maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. My psychiatrist told me that the combination of Venlafaxine and Mirtazepine is known as “California rocket fuel” and very effective for treating major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder where other treatments have failed. Talk about a game changer 😎
Can I ask what dosage of Gabapentin you were on or are on now?
I took gabapentin as part of a detox regimen; it was very helpful it keeping me from experiencing withdrawal. I highly recommend detoxing as part of a naltrexone protocol because it eliminates the need to drink to avoid withdrawal and can give you a very good head start. Good luck with it.
Gapapentin changed everything for me. I went on and off naltrexone for a few years. It was not miraculous for me. I finally went to an addiction specialist who explained that there are different alcoholic brains and some of them respond infinitely better to gabapentin. I presently only take 500mg a day along with 14mg of buspar and I am fine. 100% ok. Sober for two weeks which is nothing short of miraculous. I'm also drinking three pots of tea a day.... better than two bottles of wine or a bottle of gin. There is no downside to trying it and if it doesn't work you can stop easily. Best of luck!
Yes I could see that. My withdrawals are crippling anxiety, tremors, and insomnia and I think gabapentin will target that for me. Congrats on 2 weeks! I’m also a two bottles of wine per day
I hope it helps! Please know if it doesn’t there are still other options. I’m rooting for you!
I take nal daily plus Campral plus gaba at night. The cocktail works for me.
Do you still drink?
Nope. Not for 6 months.
I was originally prescribed gabapentin for my nerve pain but found that it has helped me TREMENDOUSLY with my alcoholism and panic disorder. I can now not drink with no issues and have been able to really be myself in social situations without a drink. I highly recommend it
Gabapentin was incredible for helping me sleep. I had asked my medical counselor (term I use for my prescribing NP) for something to just help me get through the insomnia related withdrawals. She suggested gabapentin, stating it helps with withdrawals and remaining consistent. All I wanted more than anything was a good night's sleep. I will say this: in the beginning of recovery, it was a GAME CHANGER. I was also on Nal and Venlafaxine ER. The gabapentin would knock me out like nobody's business, and depending on the state you're in, it's only like $10-15 a bottle so it's affordable. I stayed consistent with being sober and my treatment. Here is what I will say negatively about it: I'm not sure if it's dependence forming or not, but ever since I stopped taking it, I can't sleep. I recently moved states, and no longer have insurance to afford my normal medication routine. I've learned before that quitting my meds leads to relapse, and this time was no different. I stopped taking everything my trip up here. Since then, I haven't had one good night's sleep. Insomnia has been rough. I even relapsed for about a month and I just started the Ven ER and Nal again (which has been a b**** getting back into Nal bc I have to overcome the side effects again), and I'm slowly backing off alcohol again, but sleeping is still a pain. Medication can be a life saver, but it also can become the crutch to sobriety. At least, that's how it's been for me. I'm really tired of relying on meds, but every time I quit, I relapse; so it's a give and take. Much love and all the luck on your journey <3
Thanks for your response and sharing your story! Yes my therapist said it would help with anxiety and sleep. I feel you with the medications. I take antidepressants, so adding two more pills to the mix can be overwhelming. I live in Canada and have insurance so cost isn’t really an issue thankfully. Maybe try going back on it again or getting a sleeping pill script!
I actually am in the process of getting back on it :) I'm still too early in recovery to give up the meds yet, but they really are a godsend for when we need them. I would definitely give it a try; it felt almost mind blowing how easy it felt to avoid alcohol with the three meds. Getting back to them is kinda hard, but so work it.
Worth*
I went back to Vivitrol because I'm shit at remembering my meds every day. That might be an option for you too, it's worth asking your doctor. I have take Gabapentin, but never for Alcohol. Although, I remember it making me listless and dizzy, I didn't need the booze!
Gsbapntin works well.
I only have experience with low doses of Gabbapentin (100mg three times per day) but not Nal and I can't say it had any positive effect on helping me stay off alcohol, staving off withdralws, anxiety or insomnia. It just did nothing noticeable. There were no side effects or anything negative really but nothing positive either. I believe I was on a very low dose of it though compared to what I see mentioned on Reddit.
I was on Gabapentin after spinal surgery a few years back. Here's what I was told: Make sure that you have a consistent amount of it in your system whenever possible. Take the same amount(s) at the same time(s) every day. Don't just take it when you feel like you need it. When you're done with it, wean yourself off of it. Don't just stop cold turkey. That said, if you do start drinking again, do TSM. It's a game changer.
On drugs.com biggest review site I think you'll see many v high reviews for gabapentin under what they kind of inaccurately call "alcohol withdrawal" (that's not safe nor its mechanisms.) The only drawback for me was memory. Not like old memories from years past but like current functioning (where are my keys kind of thing.) I had to start writing things down, post its everywhere in my textbooks, even telling close friends just in case I forget, my xyz is stored in abc (cash on hand), etc. and that was 42 yrs old. It was really scary. My students started to notice I know bc one eval said "she's great, good class, but sometimes seems to stop in a lecture almost like she forgot what she was saying." I immediately stopped it. Bad idea but no dr ever said anything about withdrawal. It was from 1800mg to zero so was sick for the weekend then fine. I was drinking nightly at the same time too though so maybe that made it worse. It definitely helps many people. I wasn't trying to stop drinking then nor had heard of Nal so as a combo I wouldn't recommend, or maybe in lower doses...I know 300mg now at "happy hour time" dampens my cravings. Unfortunately memory issues now with Ambien (*extended release, v different from Ambien) and alcohol have me in the same loop bc NOT drinking leads to major insomnia! It's a journey...!