Lyrica, the brand name version of the drug pregabalin, has a number of legitimate medical uses. Available legally only with a prescription, it can be very supportive for those who need it. If you or a loved one has been given a prescription and you’re wondering if Lyrica is addictive, the answer is yes, for some. If the drug has already become problematic in your life and you’re looking for substance abuse treatment, contact The Right Step today. Our caring team can help connect you with resources for recovery. Call 17135283709 or reach us online to get started.
What Is Lyrica and What Is It Used For?
Lyrica is a non-narcotic and non-benzodiazepine drug that nonetheless has the similar effect of depressing the central nervous system. Specifically, it mimics the chemical GABA which naturally inhibits pain signals being sent to the brain. It likewise has a calming effect on the nerves, which gives it anticonvulsant properties.
Lyrica is prescribed for a number of conditions, including:
- Epilepsy in adults and some children
- Nerve pain due to spinal cord injuries
- Adult fibromyalgia
- Nerve pain following adult cases of shingles
- Nerve pain due to adult diabetes
While Lyrica can be highly effective, especially at reducing seizures in those who regularly deal with them as a result of epilepsy, it does have some side effects as well. Some people who take it report changes similar to being drunk, like dizziness, blurred vision, low energy, and reduced coordination. Other possible effects of the drug include tremors, memory issues, lethargy, and euphoria. In severe cases, Lyrica can cause allergic reactions or trigger suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, or aggression.
What Causes Lyrica Addiction?
In the United States, Lyrica is currently a Schedule V drug, meaning the Food and Drug Administration considers it to have a relatively low addiction risk. Nonetheless, it can prove habit-forming and destructive when not taken as directed. As with any prescription drug, addiction risks go up if the person taking it has a preexisting history of substance abuse.
It is possible to develop physical tolerance on Lyrica and undergo withdrawal symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, migraines, and sleep disturbance. What’s more, if tolerance develops, a person using Lyrica will need more and more of the drug to get the same effects over time. That said, psychological addiction may be the more impactful component of problematic Lyrica use. For those living with chronic anxiety or physiological pain, the relaxation and euphoria that large doses of the drug produce can be a major draw. With repeated use, it’s possible to come to depend on this high and feel you can’t function without it.
The following are a few signs that Lyrica addiction may have developed:
- You or your loved one is using Lyrica without a prescription, i.e. obtaining and taking it illegally
- You’re using your prescription to obtain and take more than your doctor-directed dose
- Instead of taking the drug as directed, you’re breaking capsules apart and snorting the contents for more intense effects
- You’re combining Lyrica with other drugs, such as opiates which may increase the euphoric effects and also, albeit probably unintentionally, the danger of overdose
- If you try to stop using Lyrica quickly, you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms indicating physical dependence
It is important to seek professional help for Lyrica dependence, abuse, and addiction.
Learn More About Lyrica Addiction Treatment at The Right Step Today
Don’t wait to get help with Lyrica addiction. Although the drug gets less press in the United States than other prescription analgesics like opioids and benzodiazepines, it nonetheless poses significant risks. Call 17135283709 or send a message online to connect with staff at Promises Behavioral Health’s corporate site in Brentwood, Tennessee. We have treatment centers spanning Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, and look forward to connecting you with effective recovery options.
