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Illicit Use of Gabapentin

May 10, 2018 by administration 3 Comments

Illicit Use of Gabapentin.

In Matthew Perrone’s Associated Press article, “Drug epidemic ensnares 25-year-old pill for nerve pain”, dated May 4, 2018, the author sheds light on the growing illicit use of gabapentin as the newest means of getting high. Gabapentin (GAB), marketed under the brand name Neurontin, is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain in adults. Although a non-narcotic medication thought to have a low abuse profile, gabapentin is increasing in its illicit use.

In the last year some areas of the country have reported increased illicit use of gabapentin by addicts who are mixing the drug with opioids, marijuana and other drugs to intensify their high.  Ohio has reported the use of gabapentin by addicts to ease withdrawal symptoms, as well as those on methadone to amplify the effects of methadone. Users say it intensifies the methadone, and gives a semi-euphoric feeling.  Gabapentin was the most-prescribed drug of any controlled substance in the state of Ohio in December 2016 and was the 9th most-prescribed drug last year in the entire United States.

Researchers cited in his article attribute the tighter prescription restrictions on opioid painkillers as one of the reasons for the spike in gabapentin use. Dr. Richard Dart was quoted in the article as saying, “We’re basically squeezing people into other drugs because the prescription opioids are becoming a lot harder to get”.

New Urgency in the Drug War

In the wake of this research and awareness there seems to be an urgency to act not previously seen.  One would speculate there were vital lessons learned from the devastations of the opioid crisis. State drug agencies and governments appear to be getting out in front of the trend much quicker.  For example, Kentucky has already acted to classify the drug as a scheduled drug, limiting who can prescribe gabapentin and the number of allowable refills. Ohio, Minnesota, West Virginia and other states have already started tracking gabapentin use in prescription databases.

The drug testing industry has responded with technology to test subjects, making available an instant gabapentin urine dip test available for Forensic use.  “Forensic-use” means the drug test kits are not FDA 510(k) cleared for professional use.  This Forensic use only test provides qualitative preliminary results, which indicates the presumptive presence of the drug in someone’s system. Forensic use only tests are intended for court-ordered abstinence or monitoring programs.  Professionals who are overseeing the administration of methadone as a means of weaning the individuals off of heroin may want to add testing for gabapentin as means of ensuring the subject isn’t also using gabapentin to get high off the methadone.

In the drug and alcohol testing industry, we must continually be made aware and respond to the changes of illicit drug use.

Instant Gabapentin Drug Test Kit

Drug epidemic ensnares 25-year-old pill Associated Press article

Comments

  1. Rickey Shaw says

    July 24, 2022 at 9:49 am

    My doctor gave me Gabapentin after he did a spinal block and hit my sciatic nerve causing extreme pain in both my legs and feet, and I’m not really sure how long he had me on it except there are about 2 years i don’t remember much just pieces of reality i kept getting urine infections unbalanced standing and walking hallucinations and a slew of other effects

    Reply
  2. Kathleen M Tucker says

    August 13, 2022 at 11:58 am

    It is shocking and disgusting how doctors just put their patients on various powerful drugs and never give a thought to warning their patients of what could happen, and they don’t keep a close eye on things. Consequently, I know people who look at their prescribed meds as merely a way to increase their INCOME! IT IS AN ABSOLUTE MIRACLE THAT MORE PEOPLE DON’T DIE!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Ami-catherine Smith says

    August 23, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    My doctor in kentucky,Prescribed gabapintin 800mg-3 a day,for the last 5 year,and I am also on methadone 160mg a day,and it does intensity the methadone if I take gabapintin with it.If I miss taking the neouurtin, I have some bad withdrawals,after seeing what the guy wrote about having kidney infection, made me think hard,because I have had some major kidney pain and urinary infections like never before.Thanks Ricky,Very helpful comment.

    Reply

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Since 1982, AlcoPro has supplied and manufactured the most accurate drug and alcohol testing instruments, kits, and supplies for professional use. We take pride in maintaining our industry-wide reputation for accuracy and quality as we help you—our top priority—perform alcohol and drug screenings and tests with greater precision and confidence.

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