People who use Baclofen may feel immediate relief from their symptoms and a sense of well-being and calm. However, as the effects of the drug wear off, they may experience adverse withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to surviving without Baclofen, which compels them to use the drug again. This is known as ‘dependence’ because the body becomes dependent on the drug to function optimally. Withdrawal symptoms can eventually cause people to become addicted to Baclofen, because they’ll take increasingly higher doses to deal with the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and to feel the same calming effects as before.
What Is Baclofen?
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant medication sold under the brand names of Lioresal and Gablofen, and is prescribed to treat cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. It enhances the natural GABA neurotransmitters in the brain to calm the nerve activity in the central nervous system (CNS), providing relief from muscle spasticity. Because it interacts with hormones in the brain to produce a calming effect on the body, Baclofen can be addictive.
Baclofen Withdrawal Symptoms
The physical, emotional, and psychological withdrawal symptoms for Baclofen are severe and even, in some cases, fatal. They are felt as soon as the Baclofen is flushed out of the system, and its effects on the body wear off. However, quitting Baclofen cold turkey causes withdrawal symptoms to be a lot worse, even causing organ failure and death. That’s why it’s best to reach out to a mental health professional who can guide you through a Baclofen tapering schedule, which will minimize the uncomfortable withdrawal effects.
Physical withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Constipation
- Seizures/tremors
- Fever
- Hyperthermia
- Perception changes
- Stiff muscles
- Low blood pressure
Emotional and Psychological Symptoms of Baclofen Withdrawal
Emotional withdrawal symptoms of Baclofen can include:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Depersonalization
Psychological withdrawal symptoms of Baclofen:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Mania
- Psychosis
If you notice some of these symptoms after discontinuing use of Baclofen, your body may have developed tolerance to and dependence on the drug, which can lead to addiction. Reach out to your primary care physician for immediate assistance to prevent yourself from falling into addiction.
How Long Does Baclofen Stay in Your System?
As with all drugs, the amount of time that Baclofen remains in the body depends on the frequency of substance use, the dosage of the drug, the route of administration, age, metabolism, weight, and other factors. A simple drug test can confirm whether or not someone has used Baclofen.
The four Baclofen testing methods include a urine test, a hair test, a saliva test, and a blood test, with the amount of time that the Baclofen shows up on each test varying. A urine test will show positive for up to 2 days after the last dose, in hair for around 90 days, and in saliva and hair for approximately 24 hours.
Baclofen Withdrawal Timeline
People who are considering getting sober often want to know: How long does Baclofen withdrawal last? The withdrawal effects can begin from just a few hours after the last dose, up until around 48 hours, depending on the abovementioned factors. The symptoms usually peak after around 72 hours, after which the symptoms gradually fade and disappear. For some people, the symptoms can last longer than 3 days, with anxiety in particular lasting several months.
Baclofen Withdrawal Treatment
It’s important to do your research and discover the different options that can assist you or your loved one who is addicted to Baclofen. The first thing you need to do is secure a diagnosis with a psychiatrist so that you can ascertain that you are indeed dealing with a Baclofen addiction. The next step is to get sober and taper off the substance through a safe medical detox that minimizes the risks and unpleasantness of the withdrawal process. This can take place at a hospital, drug rehab facility, or other medical center.
Depending on the severity of the addiction, the substance abuse history of the addict, the support framework at home, and other factors, people struggling with addiction will then either enter an outpatient drug rehab program, or they will be admitted to a drug rehab facility, where they will receive one-on-one and group therapies, holistic treatments, and intensive support through the recovery process. The goal of drug rehabilitation is to ensure that the addict has the tools, skills, and confidence to remain sober for life.
Am I Addicted to Baclofen?
An addiction can be identified by the continuous misuse of a substance and being unable or unwilling to stop, even as one’s relationships, work life, and finances suffer as a consequence. Signs that you or your loved one may be addicted to Baclofen include taking higher doses than prescribed, using Baclofen even when it was not prescribed, or mixing Baclofen with other illicit depressant substances to increase the effect of Baclofen.
People who are addicted to Baclofen or other recreational substances are often in denial. Although they may be kind, moral people, while in the throes of addiction, they may lie to cover up their addiction, steal to get their hands on more Baclofen and engage in other risky or illegal behaviors like driving while on a high from substance misuse. They may suddenly show no interest in previously enjoyed hobbies or relationships and instead focus only on getting their next ‘fix’ and hanging out with people who engage in substance abuse.
Baclofen Withdrawal Treatment at Avenues Recovery
Baclofen addiction, like any substance addiction, is a difficult disease, but fortunately a recoverable one. You or your loved one can discover the root of the addiction and find support and professional assistance to recover and rehabilitate. At Avenues Recovery Centers we use evidenced based therapies and personalized treatment plans to give you the best chance at recovery. Our highly skilled and professional staff are experts in the field of addiction and they will stop at nothing to provide you with the help you need. No one deserves to struggle with addiction alone. Contact Avenues Recovery today to discover a world of support and guidance, and to start your journey towards a happier, healthier and drug-free life.