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Understanding Pregabalin Addiction: Signs and Treatment

November 16, 2025

7:51 pm

Signs and symptoms of pregabalin addiction and treatment options including medical detox, behavioral therapy, support groups, and aftercare planning

Table of contents

Rehab for Pregabalin Addiction is a growing phenomenon.

More and more people are seeking help for a prescribed medication which is now a controlled drug due to the high levels of abuse and addiction.

Growing problem

As experienced addictions clinicians we often get calls and emails from people seeking help for Pregabalin addiction.

It is an ever growing problem.

When Pregabalin was first marketed, like many prescribed medications before it, the addictive qualities of the drug were not known.

Inside picture

One of our clinicians spent several years working in prisons on a project to reduce it’s use.

They saw, first hand, how this medication is heavily traded and sought because of how addictive it is.

Getting help for Pregabalin addiction doesn’t have to be complicated.

Problems start at primary care

As with pain killer addiction, the problem may well have started with a GP or hospital consultant prescription though some people start using by purchasing it from street dealers.

The problem is that, if you are prescribed this medication by your GP or hospital doctor they will not be able to assist you with rehab.

Pressure on GP’s to reduce prescriptions

NHS commissioners, the people who buy in GP services, are keen to reduce the use of Pregabalin.

Many callers explain how their GP is reducing their prescription which causes them to experience withdrawal and/or buy the drug on the street.

This poses extreme risk of overdose which we will explain further on.

Our clinicians work in a variety of settings:

  • Private rehabs
  • NHS and local authority commissioned services
  • GP shared care (addiction) services
  • Private hospitals
  • Prisons

What is Pregabalin and Why Is It Addictive?

Pregabalin (trade name: Lyrica) was initially designed and licenced for seizure control and prevention in epilepsy. While not a cure, if taken regularly it was a major advancement in controlling seizures.

Licenced indications for Pregabalin

Furthermore, Pregabalin is licenced for neuropathic pain caused by shingles and nerve pain from diabetes and spinal cord injuries.

It can also be used for muscle pain and stiffness that is associated with fibromyalgia.

While some addiction specialist clinicians use Pregabalin for alcohol detox and anxiety we do not as Pregabalin is an incredibly addictive drug.

Rehab for Pregabalin addiction should not end with dependency on something else!

Pregabalin addiction awareness concept

What Is The History Of Pregabalin?

Discovered in 1988 at the Northwestern University in America by the team of Professor Richard Silverman.

During experiments, they realised that using artificially created chemicals, they could increase the levels of naturally occurring neuro transmitters in the brain.

Seizure control

This particular medication has an inhibitory effect in that it stops things from happening. In this case: seizures. The drug was marketed in 2005 and generated over five billion dollars for Pfizer.

A lot of the revenue was put towards funding a central research hub at the university.

Why Is Pregabalin Problematic?

When you take Pregabalin, as with all medications drugs, alcohol and caffeine, changes occur on your brains receptors: this is what it is designed for.

The problem is that, after a time, the brain becomes used to the presence of the medication and develops a tolerance for it.

You can’t just stop taking it

If you suddenly stop taking it (or reduce too quickly) your brain is unable to make an immediate adjustment. Chemical messaging will be out of synch and the resulting incorrect messaging will cause physical symptoms:

  • Rapid lowering of mood
  • Extreme agitation
  • Blinding headaches
  • Chronic depression
  • Heightened anxiety
  • Severe nausea
  • Uncontrollable sweating
  • Persistent diarrhea
  • Insatiable cravings
  • Seizures
  • Long term insomnia

Key Takeaways

  • Rehab for Pregabalin addiction is a growing issue as many seek help for this newly controlled substance.
  • Pregabalin, often prescribed for epilepsy and pain, has addictive qualities that were not initially recognized.
  • Treatment for Pregabalin addiction involves detox, rehab, and ongoing aftercare to ensure recovery and manage withdrawal symptoms.
  • Patients may face withdrawal challenges when prescribed doses decrease, which can lead to dangerous situations, including overdose.
  • Alternatives to Pregabalin exist, like Duloxetine, offering pain relief without the addiction risk associated with Pregabalin.

How Long Will It Take To Start Withdrawing?

Due to the action of Pregabalin you will not start to experience withdrawals immediately: It will take a day or two. It depends on how you take and for how long you have been taking it.

Sudden cessation can be incredibly dangerous as , if you were taking it for seizures, they will return.

A 2021 study in Japan found that even those who have only been taking Pregabalin for two months can encounter significant difficulties if they stop taking Pregabalin.

Pregabalin Poisoning

If you take too much Pregabalin you can render yourself unconscious though, usually, only mild sedation is achieved.

The problem really becomes serious if you take Pregabalin with other medications that cause sedation and/or alcohol.

Risk of overdose

When you mix Pregabalin with other medications that induce sedation and/or alcohol the risk of breathing difficulties massively increases.

This can lead to coma and death. If you buy it over the internet or from a dealer you have no assurance, at all, that what you are taking is Pregabalin.

It could be aquatic antibiotics or contraceptive pills.

Why Is My GP Reducing My Prescription?

An NHS GP is actually a private company which is commissioned by the NHS. Commissioners monitor prescribing trends using IT systems and GP’s are under pressure to reduce the use of Pregabalin.

This medication was recently reclassified as a controlled drug due to the explosion in addiction to it.

Difficult conversations

GP’s will call patients in and have a discussion with them and plan a very slow taper. When done properly, this should present too many issues. The problem is patients fear this reduction so will buy online/from a dealer.

Prisons tend to reduce/stop Pregabalin for patients unless it can be confirmed that the prescription was initiated by a consultant neurologist or consultant surgeon.

Are There Alternatives To Pregabalin?

Yes! While Pregabalin has it’s uses, there is no need to rely on it. There are plenty of other alternatives that , not only are more potent, but are less dangerous and not addictive.

The most commonly used alternative (providing Pregabalin was not prescribed for seizure control) is Duloxetine.

Safer alternatives

Duloxetine, originally licenced for depression, is now recognised as a potent pain killer for neuropathic pain. Studies have shown it provides a greater degree of pain relief than Pregabalin.

Other anti-depressants are also very effective, especially those belonging to the class of medication known as tricyclics.

Rehab for Pregabalin addiction should not leave you in pain if that is what the medication was originally prescribed for.

What is The Treatment For Pregabalin Addiction?

That can be answered in three words: Detox, Rehab and Aftercare!

In rehab, your in-house addictions clinician will draw up a treatment plan that centers around a reduction/taper of pregabalin.

This will be evidenced based and safe. How long it takes depends on how long you have been taking it for and how much you take.

Close monitoring

For some people, an alternative can be introduced immediately. Something you can discuss pre-admission on during your intake clinical assessment.

Nursing and support staff will monitor you during your detox. If necessary, the resident clinician can review/adjust your treatment plan: Nothing is set in stone.

Therapy

As soon as you are physically able to join, the therapy team will welcome you into the therapy groups and sessions. Some people may need a day or two if withdrawals are very uncomfortable.

Every centre, the world over, uses a group therapy model, supplemented by a weekly individual session. 12 STEP/SMART/eclectic: It really doesn’t matter.

Don’t get hung up on which model they use, the outcomes are the same.

Addiction is a symptom

Therapy will help you to understand why you became addicted and learn to live without Pregabalin.

Painful memories that are suppressed by Pregabalin will come to the fore and therapy will help you regulate your emotions and deal with difficult memories.

You may have unresolved trauma from childhood, PTSD, failed relationships causing you distress. Whatever the problem is: Therapy will help you address it.

Relapse prevention

One aspect of rehab is building a psychological toolkit of resources for you to use when you go home.

Situations that, previously, would have led use to use Pregabalin (or other substances) will be role played and you will learn techniques to get out of these scenarios.

Aftercare

Finally, every center provides a minimum of a years after care. Knowing there is a team to fall back on will bolster your recovery.

Can I Not Just Detox At Home?

Theoretically you could, but none of our clinicians has ever met someone who has managed to do so.

The cravings will become so overwhelming that you will find the urge to use intolerable.

Furthermore, because you have not used for a time, your brains tolerance to Pregabalin has reduced or expired.

Cravings

When people succumb to cravings they take more than they need to stabilise themselves.

This puts you at extreme risk of overdose.

While you do not intend to harm yourself, this is how overdose and fatalities occur.

Rehab for Pregabalin Addiction

How Can Find Me a Rehab Help?

Simple.

We are experienced addictions clinicians who deal with Pregabalin addiction and detox on a daily basis. Our clinicians work in a variety of settings: Private rehab centers included.

We will give you honest, free, impartial and confidential advice.

Free referrals

If you need a referral to a rehab centre this will be provided without charge.

Only those patients having treatment at home are charged for our services.

Safety

Our service is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

We only signpost to centers registered with the Care Quality Commission.

It is a legal requirement for centres to be registered and the CQC take robust action against non-registered entities.

Rehab for Pregabalin addiction is hard work but you can free yourself from the chains of addiction.

Getting help

When you call and speak with one of our experienced addictions clinicians you can ask them anything about addiction, including: detox, rehab, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

Our clinicians can answer questions on treatment plans, treatment options, locations , costings and availability.

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Need help finding the right rehab for you or a loved one? Get in touch today and take the first step toward recovery.

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