Plugging Gabapentin: Dangers And Effects Of Rectal Use

Gabapentin, sold under the brand name Neurontin, is a prescription medication originally developed to treat nerve pain and seizures. It works by affecting brain chemicals and increasing serotonin levels, which creates calming and pain-relieving effects. When taken as prescribed, gabapentin helps many people manage chronic pain conditions and seizure disorders safely. However, the drug has increasingly been misused by people seeking its sedative and euphoric effects.

Some people abuse gabapentin by taking extremely high doses in pill form, far exceeding what doctors prescribe. Others use more dangerous methods like plugging, or inserting the drug into the rectum, to intensify and speed up the effects. Rectal administration is particularly common among people who have developed gabapentin addiction because it produces a faster, stronger high than swallowing pills. Many people also combine gabapentin with opioids to boost the euphoric effects of both drugs. This practice is dangerous and can lead to respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, fatal overdose, and other serious health complications.

What Is Plugging Gabapentin?

Plugging drugs such as gabapentin refers to the administration of the soluble drug into the body through the anal cavity. This method of administration may involve dissolving a capsule or tablet of the medication into sterile water and injecting the solution into the anus with the use of a syringe. People who abuse the drug by plugging may believe anal administration will lead to a faster high, as compared to snorting, intravenous, or oral ingestion. Research shows that gabapentin concentration and bioavailability may be much lower after rectal administration.

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed to treat epilepsy, nerve pain (neuralgia), restless leg syndrome, hot flashes, and neuropathic pain conditions in the United States. Doctors also sometimes use it to help manage withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and cocaine. Gabapentin is sold under several brand names including Neurontin, Gralise, Gaborone, and Fanatrex. A closely related medication called Lyrica (pregabalin) works similarly and is also part of the gabapentinoid drug class.

Gabapentin reduces activity in the brain and central nervous system, which produces feelings of relaxation, calmness, and sometimes euphoria. The drug has a chemical structure similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that naturally slows down brain activity. Gabapentin works by affecting voltage-gated calcium channels in the nervous system, which is how it creates its calming and pain-relieving effects.

Side Effects Of Plugging Gabapentin

Plugging gabapentin may lead to adverse side effects due to improper anal administration. People who administer the medication rectally may inject high doses of the drug with the use of unsterile syringes.

Plugging gabapentin may cause the following side effects:

• anal irritation, infection, and discomfort
• exposure via contaminated syringe to diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis
• worsening of preexisting health conditions of the digestive system
• indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation
• overdose

Side effects attributed to gabapentin abuse are due to side effects of the drug itself. When taken in high doses, the medication acts as a depressant. Those with a history of a mental health disorder may be at risk of experiencing mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts after taking the medication.

Side effects of gabapentin drug use include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• loss of coordination
• tiredness
• blurred vision
• unusual eye movements
• tremors
• anxiety
• depression
• suicidal thoughts
• respiratory failure

Side effects from gabapentin abuse may be amplified when mixing the drug with other substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and other prescription painkillers. Combining gabapentin with these substances may lead to death.

Gabapentin Withdrawal

People who have become chemically dependent on gabapentin may experience severe withdrawal when they attempt to stop taking it. Withdrawal symptoms may develop within several hours to several days after stopping the medication. Those who want to stop taking gabapentin after becoming addicted to the drug should consult with a qualified medical professional. Abruptly stopping the drug can lead to seizures, hallucinations, and other severe adverse side effects.

Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms may include:

• agitation
• irritability
• anxiety
• fatigue
• hallucinations
• seizures
• dizziness
• headache
• irregular heartbeat

In severe cases of withdrawal, individuals may require intensive inpatient monitoring and medical support.

Gabapentin Addiction Treatment

Gabapentin abuse can quickly lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, especially in people who use the drug regularly for several weeks or longer. Because stopping gabapentin suddenly can cause uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms, medical supervision during detox is strongly recommended. Doctors typically use a gradual tapering method, or slowly reducing the dose over time, to help the body adjust safely. Without professional treatment and mental health support, many people with gabapentin addiction continue to experience harmful side effects, drug-seeking behavior, and ongoing substance abuse for years.

Effective treatment options for gabapentin addiction include:

• medical detox with supervised tapering
• residential treatment
• outpatient treatment programs
• intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• individual therapy and counseling
• group therapy and peer support
• dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• medication management for underlying conditions
• relapse prevention planning
• aftercare and continuing support

Dual diagnosis treatment is particularly important for gabapentin addiction because many people start abusing the drug while trying to self-medicate anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Addressing both the addiction and underlying mental health issues together gives people the best chance at lasting recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff