A Meta-analysis of the Efficacy of Gabapentin for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

Explore how amphetamines affect body temperature, from core changes to health risks. Clients then examine the Beliefs that arise from those triggers, often identifying negative or distorted thoughts. The Disputation phase involves challenging these beliefs, critically evaluating them to replace them with more balanced and rational perspectives. Finally, this leads to the formation of Effective new beliefs, which support healthier coping mechanisms and promote long-term recovery. In the first step, the client identifies Activating Events—specific triggers that prompt craving or urge to use substances.

3.1 HUMAN LABORATORY STUDIES

She was cut off the chance of alcohol drinking weekdays and the weekend due to her taking disulfiram in the morning weekdays. She did not want to take chance to drink any alcohol because of her fear of having DER. Comparing to only limited armamentarium in treating AUD patients in 1991,1 the author is amazed in writing this current review that several anticraving drugs are available to stop patients’ craving against drinking. My 20‐year clinical experiences in prescribing anticraving drugs have been rewarding. The US FDA () has so far approved three drugs—disulfiram oral dose in 1951, naltrexone in oral use in 1994 and long‐acting injection use in 2006, and acamprosate in oral use in 2004—for patients with AUD after stopping their use of alcohol.

Combining Phentermine and Alcohol: The Risks

Problems with patient non-compliance have been noted with oral naltrexone,17,19 thus the development of a long-acting (30 days) injectable formulation. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and pain-relieving medication with several off-label uses, including Substance abuse treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Also, the drug can help promote abstinence and prevent relapses to heavy drinking. In many cases, CBT is complemented by medication management to address both substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health issues.

• Gabapentin can help with alcohol withdrawal by counteracting the physiological effects of the syndrome.
• CBT involves active engagement between the therapist and patient, using a collaborative approach.

Medical

Then, the commonly prescribed anticraving drugs and those under development were also described. Evidence indicates that symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome stem from reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity and enhanced glutamate. GABA is an amino acid with an inhibitory effect in the brain, and glutamate is a key excitatory chemical in the brain. My acquaintance’s anecdotal experience regarding decreased alcohol consumption while on semaglutide mirrors that of many others — and these anecdotes are why experts have long believed that the drug has tremendous potential as a tool to treat alcohol use disorder and other addictive behaviors. Despite the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in treating substance use disorders, several misconceptions hinder its adoption.

• The therapy emphasizes building sustainable strategies to manage triggers and stressful situations.
• Although disulfiram medicated‐patients still have the craving to drink alcohol, they are afraid of drinking due to the threat of developing DER.
• Over a nine-week period, half the participants received semaglutide and half did not.
• By recognizing personal triggers—whether they be environmental cues, emotional states, or social pressures—individuals can prepare and develop strategies to avoid or manage these situations effectively.
• One common belief is that CBT is only suitable for those with severe mental health issues.

Pros and Cons of Using Gabapentin for Alcohol Cravings

• By adhering to these recommended dosages and treatment protocols, patients and healthcare providers can ensure that Gabapentin is used safely and effectively as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for alcohol dependency.
• By rehearsing responses, individuals can feel more prepared and less anxious when confronted with triggers, significantly reducing the risk of relapse.
• The author described all drugs with anticraving benefits for treating AUD patients approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (US FDA) and European Medicines Agency of the European Union.
• The literature search identified a total of 162 records, fromwhich duplicates were removed, leaving 98 records (see Figure 1).
• The precise mechanisms of the therapeutic actions of gabapentin are unknown1, though it appears to inhibitselectively voltage-gated calcium channels containing the alpha-2-delta-1 subunit,enhances voltage-gated potassium channels, and modulates GABA activity 2.

For instance, breathing techniques or grounding exercises can provide immediate relief when cravings hit hard. As therapy progresses, the maintenance and relapse prevention stage becomes critical. Here, clients practice reduce alcohol craving and reinforce their newly acquired skills, ensuring they are adequately prepared to cope with impending triggers.

• These strategies help individuals maintain present-moment awareness, reducing the likelihood of relapse by mitigating cravings.
• Explore rebounding from addiction relapse with purpose, utilizing support and strategies for lasting recovery.
• Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that helps to control and reduce severe epileptic seizures.
• Skills like problem-solving, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance are taught, empowering clients to handle challenging situations without resorting to substances.
• Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and pain-relieving medication with several off-label uses, including treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
• A comprehensive review was carried out on the available published papers on anticraving drugs for treating AUD patients.

In Taiwan, naltrexone had been once unavailable till 2 years ago because only limited prescriptions made the pharmaceutical company to decide not to supply the drug for about 5 years. But naltrexone is currently available (M. C. Huang, personal communication, 2018). Gabapentin was originally developed as an analog of GABA, which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.26 Not acting on GABA precursor, agonist or antagonist, gabapentin increases brain and intracellular GABA by an amino acid active transporter at both the blood‐brain barrier and many enzymatic regulation mechanisms. Further glutamate metabolism is also modulated by gabapentin.26 Gabapentin has been approved by the US FDA for the adjunctive treatment of complex partial epilepsy with and without generalized seizures and for treating neuralgia after infection of herpes zoster, diabetic neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome (). The author described all drugs with anticraving benefits for treating AUD patients approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (US FDA) and European Medicines Agency of the European Union.