Pregabalin Addiction
Pregabalin is meant as a prescription-only medicine. Its is mainly used to treat epilepsy, anxiety and neuropathic pain. Illegal or "street" pregabalin is available via the illegal drugs market in the UK. Street pregabalin will probably have been stolen from a hospital, chemist or from people who have been prescribed them for epilepsy. It is found as either white, white and orange or plain orange capsules and tablets.
How is it taken?
As it is normally manufactured as a prescribed medication, pregabalin is normally swallowed in tablet or capsule form.
What are the effects of Pregabalin?
Pregabalin invokes feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness.
When taken alongside other drugs Pregabalin can also enhance or increase the euphoric effects of heroin and other opioids The danger comes because pregabalin and opioids can combine to stop people breathing.
What are the potential risks of Pregabalin?
Pregabalin causes dizziness, drowsiness and confusion.
The most common side-effects of Pregabalin are:
- constipation
- vomiting and nauseating feelings
- increased flatulence
- decreased muscle control
- sleeping problems
- unusual weight gain
- visual issues, such as blurred vision
Less commonly, but still possible side effects of Pregabalin can include:
- heart problems (including, but not limited to, heart failure)
- It is unwise and not recommended to take pregabalin without a prescription and a doctors oversight. Also, pregabalin is dangerous to take with alcohol and some other drugs (see above). Alcohol and some drugs depress the central nervous system, which affects a person’s breathing.
Pregabalin lowers opioid tolerance, this can mean that the risk of overdose and death increases when they are mixed together with opioids.
Pregabalin deaths are increasing across the UK with heroin and other opioids commonly also involved.
Mental health risks
Pregabalin can cause:
- severe dizziness
- strong drowsiness
- increased confusion
Can you get addicted to Pregabalin?
It is strongly recommended that a pregabalin prescription is not stopped immediately as it will cause strong anxiety, insomnia, nausea, severe pain and excess sweating.
Pregabalin abuse has been increasing year on year in the UK. The safest, most comfortable and simplest way to reduce and abstain pregabalin use in the long run is to attend residential rehab.
Please contact us now if you or someone you know is abusing pregabalin to find out your treatment options.
You can read our latest pregabalin article HERE
