Given all of the OTC and prescription medicines available to treat a number of ailments today, it’s easier than ever to access pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, this is both a blessing and a curse. Under medical supervision, drugs can be extremely beneficial for treatment and management of illness. When abused, though, they can do a lot more harm than good.
No matter how many people are warned against using any drugs outside of their recommended usage, there are still many who choose to use drugs for recreational purposes. One of these drugs that is gaining popularity is Gabapentin.
If you are planning to use Gabapentin as a recreational drug, here are the important facts you need to be aware about. This list of FAQs should help you become aware of the effects Gabapentin has on the body and what will happen if you choose to use this drug in ways other than what it was intended
Gabapentin: Can You Snort It? What You Need to Know
If you are wondering about what the effects of Gabapentin when snorted will be like, here are the answers to a few questions that may have crossed your mind about this drug.
Can you develop a tolerance for this drug?
The first thing you need to be aware of is that you can develop a tolerance for Gabapentin. Just like with other medicines and drugs, if a person uses too much of it too often, they may begin to develop a tolerance to the drug. This means that even if they take in the recommended dose (or in some cases, even more than the recommended dose), they will not be able to achieve the outcome that they want while using this drug. As tolerance increases, one has to increase the amount of the drug used to experience the desired result.
Can Gabapentin be snorted?
Now that you are aware that a tolerance to Gabapentin may occur, you may be wondering if it can be snorted to achieve the desired results. The answer to this question is yes. You will be able to achieve the effects that you are chasing if you snort Gabapentin.
Why do people choose to snort Gabapentin?
People who are looking to achieve the results and effects of their drug high more quickly may opt to snort it instead of ingesting it in the normal way, ie. downing the drug with a glass of water and waiting for around 10 to 20 minutes for the medicine to take effect on your body.
If Gabapentin is snorted, the effects of the drug will take effect in mere minutes. This speedy effect is what many people want to achieve. This occurs because of the way the drug is absorbed. Instead of having to wait for the drug to be digested, it will be absorbed almost instantly through the soft tissues of the nasal cavity.
What are the effects on the body when Gabapentin is snorted?
There are many effects that the drug may have on the body. What is notable is that these side-effects may be magnified to dangerous levels because Gabapentin is a drug that is not meant to be crushed and snorted.
Gabapentin is meant to be swallowed and absorbed through the digestive tract. If the drug is crushed into power and snorted, it may be able to cause all sorts of problems in the nasal cavity. Although you may be able to achieve your desired results and feel the effects more quickly, you may stand to irritate and cause damage to your nasal passages in the process. Some of these effects may be as simple as an itchy nose or as serious as a deviated septum. These undesirable effects do not even include the risk of developing a tolerance to Gabapentin if it is used in excess of the recommended dosage.
What is Gabapentin meant to treat?
This drug is meant to be an off-brand substitute to treat various disorders such as anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and depression. However, it has also been prescribed to people who are trying to get over an addiction to alcohol and to control seizures in patients who have epilepsy.
Keep in mind that using Gabapentin is acceptable as long as you are using it within the recommended dosage and usage that your doctor prescribes. Once you choose to deviate from this recommendation, you are already starting to misuse the drug.
Remember that misusing the drug does not connote that one is addicted to it. However, prolonged misuse and abuse of Gabapentin or any other drug may lead to addiction in the long run.
Understanding Gabapentin Abuse
Statistically speaking, Gabapentin is not a drug that is usually abused. There are many other drugs that far outweigh Gabapentin when it comes to the people who become addicted to using it. However, the numbers also indicate that 1 in 100 people worldwide have misused this drug in the past.
What are the signs of Gabapentin Addiction and Abuse?
As mentioned earlier, not everybody who misuses Gabapentin (or any other drug for that matter) is necessarily addicted to it. However, if you suspect that you or someone you care about is beginning to show signs of addiction to Gabapentin, here are some telltale signs you can look out for.
1 – Going to multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions
If you find yourself trying to procure more than one Gabapentin prescription in order to be able to buy more of the drug than necessary, it may be time to question yourself. You may already be misusing the drug and developing an addiction for it. The same goes for any loved ones or family members who may be acquiring the drug through questionable means.
2 – Lying about drug use
Drug abuse usually comes with an element of shame that may lead you to lie or deny the extent of your drug use. This is a sign that you may be using too much. If you feel that other people may be judgmental of how much you use Gabapentin on a daily basis, then it’s time to stop and assess whether you are abusing the drug.
3 – Trying to stop but being unsuccessful in doing so
If you feel that you are already actively trying to stop using Gabapentin but are having a difficult time trying to restrict or totally stop using it, this may mean that you are already addicted and need to seek intervention to stop before it gets worse.
4 – Continuing to use Gabapentin despite adverse effects to health
You are already addicted to using Gabapentin if you continue using it despite any adverse effects the drug may already have on your health. Once it has control, you may choose to persist in your usage even if close friends and family members have expressed concern.
If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, it is vital to get help as soon as you can. Misuse of Gabapentin or any other prescription medication can lead to serious addiction which can cause long term side effects.
Sources: