Pregabalin Addiction Treatment

All NHS GP’s are private companies that supply services through local commissioning groups. 

Part of the contracts they have are to reduce and stop inappropriate prescribing of controlled medications such as Pregabalin. 

 

The NHS monitor prescribing trends (not your personal medical records). 

You will be invited in to discuss a reduction plan and an alternative to Pregabalin. 

If you keep missing appointments your GP will have no option but to reduce/stop your medication. 

No. 

Unlike other medications and drugs, such as Heroin, there is no substitute medication that can be given for Pregabalin. 

As such you can not have a rapid detox. 

A detox for Pregabalin involves a gradual reduction, over a period of time. Some people benefit from a short term course of supportive medication to assist with withdrawals. 

As with all effective admissions and successful periods of treatment, a comprehensive , and holistic, per-admission assessment is needed. It may be necessary to share information from the clients GP and/or hospital team.
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If the person seeking treatment had been taking Pregabalin for sometime, on a regular basis then a tapering regime is the mainstay of treatment. A reduction rate of around 50-100MG a week is normally recommended but does not have to be set in stone. What is more important is that the person in treatment comes down safely, in a welcoming, therapeutic environment where they receive a high level of medical care and the appropriate therapeutic input.
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All centers operate either a twelve step based therapeutic programme, based on the tenants of Narcotics Anonymous or a SMART based model. This is also alongside other adjunctive therapies such as:
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* art therapy
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* Music therapy
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* Yoga
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* Mindfulness
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* Exercise
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* individual therapy sessions (for those staying more than a week)
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Other adjunctive medications may also be offered to help with some of the physical symptoms and sleep issues, but should be on an “as and when” basis and for no longer than two weeks: maximum.
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Aside from the medical intervention, a crucial element of going into treatment is to build up a mental toolkit of techniques and resilience so as to prevent relapse. Effective discharge planning starts before admission and links can be made with local support groups , such as NA and SMART, and also locally commissioned statutory services. In addition, all centers offer a minimum of twelve months aftercare.
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Same day admission can be arranged, but is not always the most optimal approach. Getting admitted to the right centre where the appropriate level of medical and therapeutic care can be given is the key to getting into recovery.
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NB: Rapid detox from Pregabalin is neither safe or recommended. For pregabalin addiction help call Paul on 0333 041 9922. It is possible to overcome pregabalin addiction.

Pregabalin addiction UK

Yes. 

There are a small number of centres that use a SMART or STRENGTH model of group therapy. 

 

We can give you a list of centres to speak to..

Yes. 

While the 12 STEPS remains the mainstay of treatment for all addictions, some centres use a SMART or STRENGTH based model. 

We would be happy to signpost you. 

There are many safer and more effective medications that your GP/consultant can prescribe for you. 

For pain control, any of the Tricyclic class of antidepressants will provide the same level of pain control that Pregabalin does. 

At the forefront of pain control for conditions that Pregabalin is used for is a medication called Duloxetine. 

This is, usually, restricted to those patients with Diabetic nerve pain due to the cost of the medication. However, your GP may consider it for you. 

There is more and more research to show that Duloxetine provides far more pain relief than Pregabalin and does not have the same problems  with addiction. 

The length of time it takes to detox from Pregabalin depends on various factors: 

 

• How much you are taking
• How long you have been taking it for
• Why you take it
• Other prescribed medications, drug and alcohol use
• Physical and psychological health

Tapering and reduction is not an exact science. 

Some people can tolerate a quicker reduction while others need a slower pace. 

In rehab, the pace can be adjusted by the in-house clinician. 

Yes and no.

Free to use addiction services are the responsibility of your local authority (who you pay your council tax to.)

They can run the service themselves, pay a charity to run it, use a private company or buy in NHS services: The choice is entirely theirs. 

Usually, they only provide residential treatment for people who are severely dependent on alcohol and/or heroin and crack. 

These services are entirely free to use but you can not simply be admitted for a detox. 

You will have to attend regular services with your keyworker and attend group sessions and workshops before they would consider asking the local authority for funding. The clinician at the service would also have an input. 

If they do fund residential treatment it is likely to be a very short residential detox: Only. 

You wouldn’t have any choice in where, when or for how long. 

 

 

 

 

 

A weeks admission into a fully CQC registered detox and rehab centre starts from £1,975. 

This includes all medications, meals, clinicians, nurses, therapists, support staff and hotel services. 

There are no hidden charges. 

A cold turkey approach should never be attempted with any drug or alcohol. This applies to Pregabalin. 

If you stop taking Pregabalin suddenly (or reduce too quickly) you are very likely to experience the following: 

• Flu like symptoms
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Tremors
• Balance problems
• Dizziness
• Rapid heart beat
• Inability to sleep 
• Uncontrollable anxiety 
• Irritability 
• Mood swings
• Low mood
• Suicial thinking
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Dangerously high blood pressure 

 

Pregabalin withdrawal can start as early as 24 hours after your last dose. 

The first phase lasts for  about two days and the symptoms are usually: Insomnia, restlessness and anxiety. 

For the rest of the first week, you are likely to encounter nausea, headaches, depression, irritability, and flu‑like discomfort. 

The symptoms will peak during this time. The risk of seizures is highest during this period. 

Between 7 and 14 days symptoms begin to reduce. Usually, the physical symptoms get better first, then the psychological ones.

It may take several weeks after this (and for some many months) before all the symptoms go. During this time you may well continue to experience ingering anxiety, sleep disturbances, or mood changes.

 

A 28 day  admission into a fully CQC registered detox and rehab centre starts from £1,975

This includes all medications, meals, clinicians, nurses, therapists, support staff and hotel services. 

There are no hidden charges. 

Yes. 

While, as clinicians, we do not recommend this, it is safe to do one and there are some centres that offer it. 

We can give you a list of centres to speak to.