Recreational use Gabapentin when taken in excess can induce euphoria, a sense of calm, a marijuana-like high, improved sociability, and reduced alcohol or cocaine cravings. Smith B, Higgins C, Baldacchino A, et al. Substance misuse of gabapentin. Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62:406–407Shebak S, Varipapa R, Snyder A, et al. "Gabapentin abuse and overdose: a case report". J Subst Abus Alcohol.2014;2:1018. Martinez G.M., Olabisi J., Ruekert L., Hasan S., Kahn D.A. A call for caution in prescribing gabapentin to individuals with concurrent polysubstance abuse: A case report. J. Psychiatr. Pract.. 2019;25(4):308-312. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000403 Also known on the streets as "Gabbies", Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry. Robert L. Trestman, Kenneth L. Appelbaum, Jeffrey L. Metzner. Oxford University Press, 9 Apr 2015. p. 167. gabapentin is increasingly being abused and misused for these euphoric effects. Withdrawal symptoms, often resembling those of benzodiazepine withdrawal, play a role in the physical dependence some users experience. About 1 percent of the responders to an internet poll and 22 percent of those attending addiction facilities had a history of abuse of gabapentin. Its misuse predominantly coincides with the usage of other illicit CNS depressant drugs, namely opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. After Kentucky's implementation of stricter legislation regarding opioid prescriptions in 2012, there was an increase in gabapentin-only and multi-drug use in 2012–2015. The majority of these cases were from overdose in suspected suicide attempts. These rates were also accompanied by increases in abuse and recreational use. Gabapentin misuse, toxicity, and use in suicide attempts among adults in the US increased from 2013 to 2017.
Recreational use Gabapentin when taken in excess can induce euphoria, a sense of calm, a marijuana-like high, improved sociability, and reduced alcohol or cocaine cravings. Also known on the streets as "Gabbies", gabapentin is increasingly being abused and misused for these euphoric effects. Withdrawal symptoms, often resembling those of benzodiazepine withdrawal, play a role in the physical dependence some users experience. About 1 percent of the responders to an internet poll and 22 percent of those attending addiction facilities had a history of abuse of gabapentin. Its misuse predominantly coincides with the usage of other illicit CNS depressant drugs, namely opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. After Kentucky's implementation of stricter legislation regarding opioid prescriptions in 2012, there was an increase in gabapentin-only and multi-drug use in 2012–2015. The majority of these cases were from overdose in suspected suicide attempts. These rates were also accompanied by increases in abuse and recreational use. Gabapentin misuse, toxicity, and use in suicide attempts among adults in the US increased from 2013 to 2017.
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Smith B, Higgins C, Baldacchino A, et al. Substance misuse of gabapentin. Br J Gen Pract. 2012;62:406–407Shebak S, Varipapa R, Snyder A, et al. "Gabapentin abuse and overdose: a case report". J Subst Abus Alcohol.2014;2:1018. Martinez G.M., Olabisi J., Ruekert L., Hasan S., Kahn D.A. A call for caution in prescribing gabapentin to individuals with concurrent polysubstance abuse: A case report. J. Psychiatr. Pract.. 2019;25(4):308-312. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000403
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Oxford Textbook of Correctional Psychiatry. Robert L. Trestman, Kenneth L. Appelbaum, Jeffrey L. Metzner. Oxford University Press, 9 Apr 2015. p. 167.