The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions.

Ask Dr. Bob

QUESTION
Can you tell me about using neurontin as a treatment for decreasing the desire for alcohol?


ANSWER
Neurontin (gabapentin) is a relatively new but commonly used medication which has been found to be useful in chronic pain conditions, including epilepsy, drug withdrawal and even mood disorders. I have not used it for alcohol treatment, and know of only one case report in the medical literature (a letter to a journal) which claims a reduction in alcohol craving by use of neurontin. Certainly others maybe using it this way but have not reported it as yet.

There is a short report (Myrick, Hugh, et al:Gabapentin Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal, American Journal of Psychiatry 155(11): 1632, Nov 1998.) detailing detoxification of six patients safely and effectively with neurontin. The authors emphasize that this medication appears safe for treatment as it does not seem to be a drug of abuse, and did not impair thinking in subjects in this study. So, little has been documented about effective use of this medicine in alcoholism, but some tantalizing suggestions!

Thanks for bringing up this interesting new drug!
Dr Bob



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Dr. Bob does not provide specific medical advice or a medical diagnosis for any particular condition described, nor verify the authenticity of any information described in the questions presented. Patients should always consult their physician to discuss any specific symptoms, conditions, or modes of therapy for any particular mental or physical difficulties, diseases or conditions.

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