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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Gabapentin and benzodiazepines treat similar conditions but belong to different medication classes. They are prescribed for anxiety, nerve pain, and seizures, but these medications affect your brain and body differently.
Benzos work quickly but can lead to physical dependence within weeks of regular use. Gabapentin has a lower dependence risk, but if you stop using it abruptly, you may go through withdrawal.
Anxiety and seizure disorders often co-occur with substance use issues. At Ardu Recovery Center, our integrated dual diagnosis treatment addresses your mental health and addiction concerns, whether you’re battling an addiction to gabapentin, benzos, or other medications.
Contact our drug addiction treatment center and get the expert care you need.
Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant, antiepileptic drug. Thanks to its unique effects on your nervous system, this prescription medication also addresses:
The medication comes in several forms, including oral capsules, tablets, and an oral solution. The standard treatment typically starts with a low daily dose that gradually increases, so your body can adapt to the medication.
Gabapentin isn’t highly addictive, but long-term use can lead to physical dependence. To avoid triggering withdrawal symptoms, healthcare professionals recommend a gradual tapering schedule when ending treatment.
Benzodiazepines and gabapentin target different neurological pathways in your brain, which results in distinct effects, onset times, and safety profiles.
Benzodiazepine medications enhance GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), your brain’s primary “brake pedal.” It slows down neural activity and creates calming effects throughout the nervous system. When benzodiazepines bind to these receptors, they amplify GABA’s natural inhibitory action, reducing excessive brain activity.
Gabapentin binds to voltage-gated calcium channels, blocking calcium influx into neurons. This mechanism doesn’t directly affect GABA receptors despite the drug’s name suggesting a connection to aminobutyric acid. By preventing calcium from entering neurons, gabapentin interrupts the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that would otherwise contribute to types of seizure disorders, neuropathic pain, and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines dampen brain activity by interacting with other neurotransmitter systems. They reduce the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, like norepinephrine and serotonin, affecting mood, alertness, and memory.
Gabapentin reduces the release of several excitatory neurotransmitters, including glutamate, substance P, and norepinephrine. Unlike benzodiazepines, gabapentin doesn’t suppress neuronal firing throughout the brain; it modulates specific transmission pathways while leaving others relatively unaffected.
Benzodiazepines influence different brain regions, affecting anxiety centers, muscle control areas, seizure thresholds, and consciousness regulation. They are versatile in treating multiple conditions, but the widespread dampening of neural activity impairs memory formation, physical coordination, and cognitive function.
Gabapentin targets neural pathways involved in pain transmission, seizure generation, and certain anxiety circuits. This preserves function in unrelated brain regions, resulting in fewer cognitive disruptions for patients with anxiety disorders or epilepsy.
Benzodiazepines produce sedation, coordination problems, and cognitive impairment. The most common adverse effects include memory problems, paradoxical anxiety reactions, and increased fall risk in older adults. These risks multiply when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Gabapentin most commonly causes dizziness, fatigue, and mild cognitive effects. Some patients experience peripheral edema, weight gain, vision changes, including double vision, and mild gastrointestinal issues like nausea. Unlike benzodiazepines, gabapentin poses minimal respiratory depression risk, even at higher doses, and causes less cognitive impairment.
Benzodiazepines kick in quickly, usually within 15–60 minutes. This rapid relief stops panic attacks and calms severe anxiety in the moment. This same quick action creates a powerful mental connection between taking the pill and feeling better fast. Your brain learns this association rapidly, which partially explains why people develop dependence.
Gabapentin typically takes several days to build up its full effect in your system. It won’t help during an anxiety crisis, but it will manage chronic conditions over time. Instead of dramatic immediate effects, gabapentin slowly changes how your neurons respond to signals.
Benzodiazepines hook the body and mind, especially when taken for more than a few weeks. Quitting cold turkey can lead to dangerous withdrawal effects such as seizures, anxiety that exceeds pre-medication levels, and in serious cases, complete blackouts.
Scientists once thought gabapentin carried little addiction potential, but new research shows your body does adapt to gabapentin with continued use. Stopping suddenly can trigger withdrawal, but the symptoms typically won’t be as bad as a benzo withdrawal.
Benzo withdrawal symptoms can become life-threatening without proper medical supervision. Our specialized benzodiazepine detox program provides 24/7 medical monitoring throughout the withdrawal process, making safety and comfort our priorities.
Gabapentin has a more favorable safety profile than benzodiazepines. The risk of overdose is lower with gabapentin, even at high doses, while benzodiazepines carry life-threatening respiratory depression risks, particularly when combined with alcohol or opioids. Clinical trials show gabapentin produces less cognitive impairment and fewer coordination problems than benzodiazepines.
Those struggling with alcohol use disorder or substance use history benefit from gabapentin’s effective symptom relief coupled with reduced abuse potential. However, both medications require careful monitoring, appropriate dosage adjustments, and medical supervision during discontinuation.
Gabapentin is an effective adjunct treatment for benzodiazepine withdrawal. A 2019 study confirms it reduces withdrawal symptoms that often cause relapse, like anxiety, insomnia, and muscle tension. It also lowers the risk of withdrawal seizures, a dangerous complication when stopping benzodiazepines.
Medical professionals often include gabapentin in benzodiazepine tapering protocols because it addresses the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Gabapentin also works well as a bridge medication during benzodiazepine recovery, easing the transition to sobriety with minimal risk of creating a new dependency.
Gabapentin treatment should occur under proper medical supervision as part of a comprehensive withdrawal plan. Contact Ardu to learn how our benzodiazepine addiction center can help you safely overcome dependence with minimal discomfort.
Gabapentin and benzodiazepines together magnify central nervous system depression, which increases risks of excessive sedation, cognitive impairment, and coordination problems. Both medications affect GABA, and together they create a more powerful sedative effect than either medication alone. This raises the risk of falls, driving impairment, and breathing difficulties at higher doses.
Physicians sometimes prescribe this combination intentionally to treat specific conditions. Gabapentin may allow for lower benzodiazepine doses in seizure disorders, and the combination proves useful in alcohol withdrawal protocols by reducing the required benzodiazepine dose. Never combine these medications without medical guidance.
Breaking free from gabapentin or benzodiazepine dependence requires specialized care that addresses the challenges of each medication. At Ardu Recovery Center, we offer comprehensive treatment for both types of medication dependence with medical expertise and compassionate support.
Our dual-focus approach recognizes the different withdrawal processes these medications create. Benzodiazepine withdrawal demands careful medical monitoring due to risks of severe withdrawal symptoms and potential seizures. Gabapentin discontinuation, while generally less dangerous, still requires professional oversight to manage discomfort and prevent relapse.
We provide:
Our comprehensive rehabilitation program includes:
Don’t let fear of withdrawal keep you trapped in a cycle of dependence. Your substance addiction can be safely overcome with proper medical support. Reach out to Ardu Recovery Center today to learn how our specialized treatment programs can help you reclaim your life from medication dependence.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Gabapentin doesn’t cause permanent brain damage when used as prescribed. Like most medications that affect the central nervous system, gabapentin can cause short-term side effects, including mental fogginess, memory issues, or unusual eye movements.
These effects typically resolve when the medication is discontinued. Some patients report improved brain function as gabapentin helps manage conditions such as anxiety or seizures, both of which impair cognitive function.
The strongest gabapentin pill available by prescription is 800 mg. Gabapentin comes in several doses ranging from 100 mg to 800 mg tablets or capsules. Healthcare providers start patients on lower doses (100–300 mg) and gradually increase to find the minimal effective dose for symptom control.
The 800 mg tablet represents the maximum single-dose strength, though total daily doses of gabapentin often range from 900 mg to 3600 mg, divided into multiple administrations throughout the day. This dosing strategy helps minimize potential side effects while maximizing the efficacy of gabapentin for conditions such as neuropathic pain or seizure disorders. The “strongest” pill isn’t usually the most appropriate for all patients.
Gabapentin isn’t classified as a narcotic (opioid) but has become a controlled substance in several states due to its increasing misuse. It can produce euphoric effects at high doses, especially when combined with other substances. This potential for abuse has prompted stricter regulation despite its different mechanism from true narcotics.
The reclassification followed evidence from medical records and substance use treatment centers showing rising gabapentin misuse, particularly among patients with prior substance use disorders. This regulatory change reflects a balance between maintaining access for legitimate medical issues while reducing diversion and misuse.
Gabapentin can trigger movement disorders in some patients, including jerky movements, unusual eye movements, or uncontrolled twitching. These effects stem from gabapentin’s influence on neural pathways that control motor function. Movement-related side effects typically appear at higher doses or when starting treatment.
A 2023 retrospective study identified movement abnormalities in approximately 2–3% of gabapentin users, though many cases were mild and temporary. Patients with pre-existing neurological conditions face a greater risk for these effects.
If you experience abnormal movements while taking gabapentin, these symptoms might indicate that your dose needs adjustment.
Gabapentin shows promise in alcohol withdrawal treatment, particularly for moderate symptoms. It reduces alcohol withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively, sometimes requiring fewer additional benzodiazepines than traditional protocols.
Gabapentin appears most effective when incorporated into comprehensive alcohol treatment programs that include behavioral therapies and other evidence-based approaches. Continuing gabapentin treatment may reduce heavy drinking days during early recovery.
Gabapentin can trigger allergic reactions in a small percentage of patients. Symptoms range from mild itchy skin rashes to severe reactions requiring immediate medical attention. Previous studies indicate that 1–3% of patients experience some form of allergic response.
These reactions typically develop within the first few days of treatment, though delayed hypersensitivity can occur after weeks of use. Risk factors include prior allergic reactions to anticonvulsant medications or a history of multiple drug allergies. The retrospective nature of most gabapentin allergy research makes precise prevalence difficult to determine.
If you develop hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash while taking gabapentin, seek emergency care.
Benzodiazepines provide rapid relief for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorders, working within 30–60 minutes of administration. They are effective for short-term anxiety management, particularly for severe symptoms causing significant distress. Current medical guidelines restrict benzodiazepine prescriptions to 2–4 weeks whenever possible.
Benzodiazepines reduce feelings of apprehension, worry, and physical anxiety symptoms more quickly than other medication classes. However, even short-term use creates risk for benzodiazepine use disorder, with approximately 15–44% of American adults prescribed benzodiazepines developing some degree of dependence, according to research.
Oh G, Moga DC, Fardo DW, Abner EL. The association of gabapentin initiation and neurocognitive changes in older adults with normal cognition. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 25;13:910719. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.910719. PMID: 36506564; PMCID: PMC9732650.
Vadiei N, Smith TL, Walton AE, Kjome KL. Impact of Gabapentin Adjunct use with Benzodiazepines for the Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal in a Psychiatric Hospital. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2019 Feb 15;49(1):17-27. PMID: 30858636; PMCID: PMC6386428.
Rissardo JP, Medeiros Araujo de Matos U, Fornari Caprara AL. Gabapentin-Associated Movement Disorders: A Literature Review. Medicines (Basel). 2023 Sep 6;10(9):52. doi: 10.3390/medicines10090052. PMID: 37755242; PMCID: PMC10536490.
Maust DT, Lin LA, Blow FC. Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among Adults in the United States. Psychiatr Serv. 2019 Feb 1;70(2):97-106. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201800321. Epub 2018 Dec 17. PMID: 30554562; PMCID: PMC6358464.
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