Does lamictal help with benzo withdrawal?

If you’re a benzo addict, congratulations! You’ve achieved the impossible: becoming addicted to something more socially acceptable than cigarettes. Although quitting benzos is no small feat, it’s essential to do so since they increase your risk of falling and breaking a hip… or worse.

Quitting benzodiazepines (i.e., Xanax, Valium) can be tough, but there are ways to make it easier. One option is using Lamictal, also known as lamotrigine.

What Is Lamictal?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of whether Lamictal helps with benzo withdrawal or not (spoiler alert: it does), let’s discuss what this drug actually is.

Lamictal is an anticonvulsant used for preventing seizures in people with epilepsy. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain that triggers seizures.

But here’s where things get interesting: doctors have started using Lamictal off-label for other conditions such as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders like panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD).

How Does It Work?

Lamictal targets a specific neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate has been linked to various mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. By calming down excess glutamate activity in the brain, researchers believe that lamotrigine may relieve symptoms related to these conditions¹.

The connection between high levels of glutamate and addiction hasn’t been thoroughly researched yet; however, several studies suggest that blocking glutamate receptors could help reduce cravings² during early sobriety from substances comparable to how anti-craving medication Naltrexone functions³ against opioids or alcohol-related abuse behaviors⁴ .

Since some types of seizures relate closely episodic releases of glutamate in the brain, Lamictal has an indirect effect on addiction similarly to how some drugs influence behavior via off-label indications.

How Can It Help with Benzo Withdrawal?

The idea here is that using Lamictal could help minimize withdrawal symptoms since it targets one of the neurotransmitters involved in GABA production; interestingly enough, benzodiazepines also target GABA receptors ⁵ which mediate relaxation and moods among other effects – albeit they work through a different pathway.

However, it’s essential to note that Lamictal doesn’t target dopamine or other key substances impacted by benzos’ long-term use misuse habitually such as cravings stimulation or anxiety regulation.

Overall, while not a cure for benzodiazepine withdrawals altogether, adding this medication to your recovery routine can provide relief during early sobriety. The ultimate goal should be working towards lifestyle changes and building healthy coping skills over time beyond just taking pills alone⁶.

What Are the Risks Associated with Using Lamictal?

As with any drug you take off-label (and on-label), there are risks involved. Here are some of them:

Allergic reactions

People who have used lamotrigine have reported experiencing severe allergic reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS causes rashes along mucous membranes such as those in your mouth or eyes while TEN sloughs off skin across large sections of your face/body exposing nerve endings leaving patients highly vulnerable to infections further damaging body tissues7.

Neurological side effects

Lamotrigine may cause neurological side effects like dizziness or blurred vision; these negative symptoms typically subside quickly but make sure you inform your doctor if they persist too painfully impairing lifestyle activities usually unbearably enjoyed before its onset^7.

Mood Changes

Although Lamictal may alleviate some symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder, it also carries the potential risk of causing suicidal tendencies in certain people. This is why doctors monitor patients more closely when they first start taking this medication.

With these possible side effects in mind, make sure you talk with your doctor about whether lamotrigine suits your specific situation or not instead of self-medicating³!

How Should You Take Lamictal?

If you decide that Lamictal might be beneficial for managing withdrawal symptoms during detoxification from benzodiazepines willingly directed by a medical professional and overseen by an addiction specialist. Do not take it without getting approval form a qualified health practitioner.

Assuming everything checks out, the typical prescribed dose starts low (e.g., 25mg) working up gradually to reach at least 200 mg per day until according your needs8. Keep in mind that like most psychiatric medications – this one may take some days or weeks before producing any perceived necessary benefits effectively^7 .

Conclusion: Does Lamictal Help with Benzo Withdrawal?

Using Lamictal can help reduce benzo withdrawal symptoms since it tweaks the same neurotransmitters⁵ impacted negatively by valium/barbiturate misuse such as facilitating sedation realistically needed on recovery from anxiety-ridden drug abusers appropriately applied for epilepsy management too; nonetheless intelligent off-label indications utilized carefully provided medical oversight’s presence all throughout licensed overdose intervention rehabilitation facilities’ orchestrated private settings including harm-reduction measures like adequate post-substance-use relapse prevention follow-up treatments programs while essential focuses towards improving psychological behavior alongside pharmacotherapy supplementation supplementarily incorporating regular counselling sessions approaches supporting recovering individuals fighting their dependency through sober lifestyles beyond chemicals proffers higher chances of long-lasting sobriety^6²
So if you’re struggling with benzo withdrawals and looking for relief, consider talking with your doctor about whether Lamictal is right for you. Remember that while medication can help in the short term, it’s only one piece of the puzzle; to achieve lasting recovery, a multifaceted and customized approach tailored explicitly to individual needs personalized as starting from coping techniques via psychotherapeutic means developing into safe environments towards sober support networks amalgamated towards nurturing hopefulness beyond addiction phasing out all things negative inevitably becomes mandatory!

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