Struggling to stop

[ThePurpleMan]

The past year I have been abusing Lyrica, of course both alcohol and weed mixed in there too.
I have tried so many times to stop, but it only lasts a few weeks at max.
I am now 15 days off alcohol and it's been really easy, since after every relapse, I started up on a smaller and smaller amount everytime.
At the same time I stopped Lyrica 450mg (not my greatest idea), but kept the weed.

At day 9, the worst side effects were gone from Lyrica, but I was still craving Lyrica, and I ended up relapsing, the whole 30 min walk to the last pharmacy that had night shift, I kept telling myself to not do it, but I felt at peace after buying them, all my negative thoughts and what was stressing me went away just holding the box.

I went home, and instantly took 450mg, and it felt so great.
The thing I enjoy from it is just the whole kind of nodding off, or the kind of feeling of having to manually breath, it's just nice to feel so relaxed.
I told myself next day, I didn't want to do it again, but we all know how that story ends.

I'm at a loss, I genuinely want to stop, but I can't, because it's like saying your last goodbye to a good friend.
But another side of me don't want to give up on and stop forever on Lyrica.

I have thought about tapering off, but in my head I'm like "That's a waste of money and a good high".

All in all, my question to you all is, how did you stop your addiction when it felt like the only thing that makes you happy?

 

[greyclan_shadowman]

The past year I have been abusing Lyrica, of course both alcohol and weed mixed in there too.
I have tried so many times to stop, but it only lasts a few weeks at max.
I am now 15 days off alcohol and it's been really easy, since after every relapse, I started up on a smaller and smaller amount everytime.
At the same time I stopped Lyrica 450mg (not my greatest idea), but kept the weed.

At day 9, the worst side effects were gone from Lyrica, but I was still craving Lyrica, and I ended up relapsing, the whole 30 min walk to the last pharmacy that had night shift, I kept telling myself to not do it, but I felt at peace after buying them, all my negative thoughts and what was stressing me went away just holding the box.

I went home, and instantly took 450mg, and it felt so great.
The thing I enjoy from it is just the whole kind of nodding off, or the kind of feeling of having to manually breath, it's just nice to feel so relaxed.
I told myself next day, I didn't want to do it again, but we all know how that story ends.

I'm at a loss, I genuinely want to stop, but I can't, because it's like saying your last goodbye to a good friend.
But another side of me don't want to give up on and stop forever on Lyrica.

I have thought about tapering off, but in my head I'm like "That's a waste of money and a good high".

All in all, my question to you all is, how did you stop your addiction when it felt like the only thing that makes you happy?

 

[greyclan_shadowman]

BECAUSE OF MEMORY ISSUES THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTIES CONVEYING MYSELF OR THINKING OF THE WORDS I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S FROM GABAPENTIN AND LYRICA THIS ISN'T ENOUGH TO KIND OF GET YOU OFF MAN I'M ONLY 30 AND I SERIOUSLY FORGET S*** EVERYWHERE AND IT'S I CAN'T EVEN KEEP A CONVERSATION S
What the Research Shows for Pregabalin

• Increased Dementia Risk: In a major population-based study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, researchers tracked over 200,000 adults. They found that patients using gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin) had a 45% higher overall risk of developing dementia compared to matched individuals who did not take the drugs.
• Disproportionate Risk in Younger Adults: Much like the gabapentin data, the relative risk increase was strikingly pronounced in adults under the age of 50. In this younger age bracket, patients taking these medications had more than triple the risk of a dementia diagnosis compared to their unexposed peers.
• Dose-Dependent Trends: The likelihood of a dementia diagnosis rose progressively with higher cumulative daily doses over the course of treatment.
• Direct Cognitive Slowing: Separate double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating pregabalin in healthy volunteers showed that conventional therapeutic doses caused measurable mild cognitive impairment. Active use directly impacted brain processing speed, verbal fluency, and short-term recall, which correlated with patient complaints of "brain fog" and concentration difficulties.

GOOD LUCK BECAUSE THE DIFFICULTIES LATER WILL SHOW AND IT'S HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES ARE THAT ARE GOING ON WITH ME AND I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS ABUSE THAT I'VE HAD HAD FOR OVER 15 YEARS

 

[streaM Freak]

All in all, my question to you all is, how did you stop your addiction when it felt like the only thing that makes you happy?

Hey, congrats on even thinking about seriously going off of them. It's definitely not easy to come to terms with.

An easy start might be to evaluate life and think what sobriety might look like, and where you'd want to put that extra money and time? Could be things you miss doing, but also will likely be completely new things / hobbies / activities/ communities / associations.. because unfortunately when we are spending our time getting high and thinking about getting high, lots of time passes.. we get older, and things change.

But don't force a plan if you don't have one yet. If I were you I'd sit with the question of what you want sobriety to look like with new time money and freedoms

Also I think it's important to remember, that most of the good new things from a sober life, just sort of happen. Like you probably won't be looking for it. But once you have a more clear thought process you will actually start experiencing new ideas, interest, and motivations.

 

[placebonaut]

BECAUSE OF MEMORY ISSUES THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTIES CONVEYING MYSELF OR THINKING OF THE WORDS I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S FROM GABAPENTIN AND LYRICA THIS ISN'T ENOUGH TO KIND OF GET YOU OFF MAN I'M ONLY 30 AND I SERIOUSLY FORGET S*** EVERYWHERE AND IT'S I CAN'T EVEN KEEP A CONVERSATION S
What the Research Shows for Pregabalin

• Increased Dementia Risk: In a major population-based study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, researchers tracked over 200,000 adults. They found that patients using gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin) had a 45% higher overall risk of developing dementia compared to matched individuals who did not take the drugs.
• Disproportionate Risk in Younger Adults: Much like the gabapentin data, the relative risk increase was strikingly pronounced in adults under the age of 50. In this younger age bracket, patients taking these medications had more than triple the risk of a dementia diagnosis compared to their unexposed peers.
• Dose-Dependent Trends: The likelihood of a dementia diagnosis rose progressively with higher cumulative daily doses over the course of treatment.
• Direct Cognitive Slowing: Separate double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating pregabalin in healthy volunteers showed that conventional therapeutic doses caused measurable mild cognitive impairment. Active use directly impacted brain processing speed, verbal fluency, and short-term recall, which correlated with patient complaints of "brain fog" and concentration difficulties.

GOOD LUCK BECAUSE THE DIFFICULTIES LATER WILL SHOW AND IT'S HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES ARE THAT ARE GOING ON WITH ME AND I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS ABUSE THAT I'VE HAD HAD FOR OVER 15 YEARS

Pregab doesn't cause dementia, you're quoting the Taiwanese study that was flawed.

Gabapentinoids Post in thread 'The Lyrica (Pregabalin) Mega Thread v 2.0'

Aug 27, 2026

I mean all drugs cause risks but the high versus the risk potential Dementia Risk down road its not worth it.

so Pregab causes dementia now?!

wtf? why you would spout baseless claims that can be checked is beyond me, you do realise that people read this forum for information, scaremongering and providing false info is really fucking irresponsible.

so here you are, I got off my arse and did it for you

for anyone else reading, chatgpt summary but go and read the papers, they exist....

1. You said: are there any studies about pregabalin and Dementia?​

   
   

2. ChatGPT...​

• placebonaut

• 
• 

The past year I have been abusing Lyrica, of course both alcohol and weed mixed in there too.
I have tried so many times to stop, but it only lasts a few weeks at max.

why do you keep trying to stop?

I am now 15 days off alcohol and it's been really easy, since after every relapse, I started up on a smaller and smaller amount everytime.

well done on the alcohol, as an alcoholic myself that's a great achievement, I've been sober for 3 weeks now.

At the same time I stopped Lyrica 450mg (not my greatest idea), but kept the weed.

you might have found it easier to stop just 1 thing at a time but I've done the same thing, quit multiple drugs in 1 go, it's hard mode for sure.

At day 9, the worst side effects were gone from Lyrica, but I was still craving Lyrica, and I ended up relapsing, the whole 30 min walk to the last pharmacy that had night shift, I kept telling myself to not do it, but I felt at peace after buying them, all my negative thoughts and what was stressing me went away just holding the box.

I went home, and instantly took 450mg, and it felt so great.
The thing I enjoy from it is just the whole kind of nodding off, or the kind of feeling of having to manually breath, it's just nice to feel so relaxed.
I told myself next day, I didn't want to do it again, but we all know how that story ends.

everyone has wobbles, it's part of recovery, don't beat yourself up about it, you still have a choice about taking the next 1....

given you like the nod, you might actually prefer gabapentin over pregabalin as it's more sedating, gabapentin is also less harmful, and if you like sedation you might also be able to take a lower equivalent dose, plus gabapentin will help manage the pregabalin withdrawal. It's also harder for you to take higher amounts without stopping and thinking about what you're doing because your body can't absorb it as fast.

A switch could take you in the right direction of stopping if you're struggling to quit straight off pregab

I'm at a loss, I genuinely want to stop, but I can't, because it's like saying your last goodbye to a good friend.
But another side of me don't want to give up on and stop forever on Lyrica.

I have thought about tapering off, but in my head I'm like "That's a waste of money and a good high".

All in all, my question to you all is, how did you stop your addiction when it felt like the only thing that makes you happy?

To add to @streaM Freak 's great points.

you've got to want it, be honest with yourself, then when you're ready step up and own it, make a plan then follow it - people can help and give you advice & support on here, but it helps to have a good support network around you as well, friends/family/support groups.

Exercise would be the other big thing to give a try, get outside, you'll get more out of the small thing when you're tied and have some nature around you

 

[ThePurpleMan]

Hey, congrats on even thinking about seriously going off of them. It's definitely not easy to come to terms with.

An easy start might be to evaluate life and think what sobriety might look like, and where you'd want to put that extra money and time? Could be things you miss doing, but also will likely be completely new things / hobbies / activities/ communities / associations.. because unfortunately when we are spending our time getting high and thinking about getting high, lots of time passes.. we get older, and things change.

But don't force a plan if you don't have one yet. If I were you I'd sit with the question of what you want sobriety to look like with new time money and freedoms

Also I think it's important to remember, that most of the good new things from a sober life, just sort of happen. Like you probably won't be looking for it. But once you have a more clear thought process you will actually start experiencing new ideas, interest, and motivations.

Thank you, that's a good idea to go about it. I will try making a plan; it's much easier than just running headfirst into it.

Pregab doesn't cause dementia, you're quoting the Taiwanese study that was flawed.

Gabapentinoids Post in thread 'The Lyrica (Pregabalin) Mega Thread v 2.0'

Aug 27, 2026

I mean all drugs cause risks but the high versus the risk potential Dementia Risk down road its not worth it.

so Pregab causes dementia now?!

wtf? why you would spout baseless claims that can be checked is beyond me, you do realise that people read this forum for information, scaremongering and providing false info is really fucking irresponsible.

so here you are, I got off my arse and did it for you

for anyone else reading, chatgpt summary but go and read the papers, they exist....

1. You said: are there any studies about pregabalin and Dementia?​

   
   

2. ChatGPT...​

• placebonaut

• 
• 

why do you keep trying to stop?

well done on the alcohol, as an alcoholic myself that's a great achievement, I've been sober for 3 weeks now.

you might have found it easier to stop just 1 thing at a time but I've done the same thing, quit multiple drugs in 1 go, it's hard mode for sure.

everyone has wobbles, it's part of recovery, don't beat yourself up about it, you still have a choice about taking the next 1....

given you like the nod, you might actually prefer gabapentin over pregabalin as it's more sedating, gabapentin is also less harmful, and if you like sedation you might also be able to take a lower equivalent dose, plus gabapentin will help manage the pregabalin withdrawal. It's also harder for you to take higher amounts without stopping and thinking about what you're doing because your body can't absorb it as fast.

A switch could take you in the right direction of stopping if you're struggling to quit straight off pregab


To add to @streaM Freak 's great points.

you've got to want it, be honest with yourself, then when you're ready step up and own it, make a plan then follow it - people can help and give you advice & support on here, but it helps to have a good support network around you as well, friends/family/support groups.

Exercise would be the other big thing to give a try, get outside, you'll get more out of the small thing when you're tied and have some nature around you

1: I would just like to not be high every night, and also just want to remember what I was doing a few min ago, because I can't remember anything from the day before.
2: Hell yeah, that's huge, congrats on being 3 weeks sober!
3: True, I get motivated to drop everything and never been good at doing one thing at a time.
4: Thanks, I ended up being able to get past the first day without it again, so on day 2 now, which I always feel is so much easier than the first day.
5: I will look into that; it could be a great way to switch, or even help getting off it totally.
6: Yeah, I want to stop, because I don't really like the whole "not remembering", and being addicted to something is the worst. I do have a lot of support, but I keep feeling like a failure when I can't just stop and go sober no problem, and seeing the people who support me get sad about me relapsing is the worst, to the point where I start hiding it. I am already exercising; I usually walk a lot, strength train, and generally just try to get outside as much as I can

 

[nato23]

Don’t get a habit on pregabalin (Lyrica).
The withdrawals are nasty and sometimes lethal.
It works on the GABA B receptor - like alcohol.
I am dependent on them and it’s so hard to get off. You need to slowly titrate off it - which is hard because sometimes when you have a bad day you take a hand full. 900mg +but I don’t feel the euphoria like some people - it just makes me feel calm.
I usually don’t abuse it, I take it for anxiety - I self medicate because doctors just try and fill me with SSRIs. I’ve tried 5-6 different types and they feel like poison… they say take a few months to work… so what am i supposed to do about my anxiety until they “start to work”.

I’ve felt like absolute shit on them.
A few doctors told me diazepam isn’t for anxiety… bullshit. Benzos are for anxiety - yes they have other uses, but they are mainly for anxiety - especially alprazolam which they don’t prescribe in the UK. God knows why.

I’d rather be on diazepam for the rest of my life - but prescribed so i don’t rely on self medicate. I wonder if i go and tell them dependant and rely on illegal sources and I can’t get them no more and its life threatening when I run out…
Sorry went a bit off topic… I don’t have any one to talk to.

Just be careful with pregabalin (Lyrica)
Its easy to get addicted

 

[ThePurpleMan]

Don’t get a habit on pregabalin (Lyrica).
The withdrawals are nasty and sometimes lethal.
It works on the GABA B receptor - like alcohol.
I am dependent on them and it’s so hard to get off. You need to slowly titrate off it - which is hard because sometimes when you have a bad day you take a hand full. 900mg +but I don’t feel the euphoria like some people - it just makes me feel calm.
I usually don’t abuse it, I take it for anxiety - I self medicate because doctors just try and fill me with SSRIs. I’ve tried 5-6 different types and they feel like poison… they say take a few months to work… so what am i supposed to do about my anxiety until they “start to work”.

I’ve felt like absolute shit on them.
A few doctors told me diazepam isn’t for anxiety… bullshit. Benzos are for anxiety - yes they have other uses, but they are mainly for anxiety - especially alprazolam which they don’t prescribe in the UK. God knows why.

I’d rather be on diazepam for the rest of my life - but prescribed so i don’t rely on self medicate. I wonder if i go and tell them dependant and rely on illegal sources and I can’t get them no more and its life threatening when I run out…
Sorry went a bit off topic… I don’t have any one to talk to.

Just be careful with pregabalin (Lyrica)
Its easy to get addicted

Yeah, I used to take like 1g+, alcohol, weed, Xanax and sometimes morphine at once.

The Lyrica has been the hardest to get semi off, but I'm getting there, as of now (or rather, before I started trying to stop) I only take 450mg, and it's more than enough for me.

The SSRI hell, I can relate.
I have tried every single SSRI and the SNRI (I think that's what they are called).
Only drug that has actually made a dent in my depression and anxiety is Wellbutrin, I highly suggest trying to bring that up to a GP, and I'm normally not someone to recommend medication, but this has really been a game changer for me.

Hey man, all good on going off topic, feel free to message me in DMs if ya need someone to chat with.

 

[nato23]

Yeah, I used to take like 1g+, alcohol, weed, Xanax and sometimes morphine at once.

The Lyrica has been the hardest to get semi off, but I'm getting there, as of now (or rather, before I started trying to stop) I only take 450mg, and it's more than enough for me.

The SSRI hell, I can relate.
I have tried every single SSRI and the SNRI (I think that's what they are called).
Only drug that has actually made a dent in my depression and anxiety is Wellbutrin, I highly suggest trying to bring that up to a GP, and I'm normally not someone to recommend medication, but this has really been a game changer for me.

Hey man, all good on going off topic, feel free to message me in DMs if ya need someone to chat with.

Do they prescribe Wellbutrin in the UK?
From what I’ve read Wellbutrin works more on dopamine - which I need. I can’t see how the GPs can’t see that.

When i was in mitazapine my legs started hurting, like sort of feeling bruised. So i googled it, and it was a symptom…
I went to my GP about it, he was adamant it was something else. In the end he pulled Google up and there it was.. I was like wtf.
You’ve just done the same thing as what I did and he probably gets £50k+ a year (has to pay off student loans though) but it’s not the point haha

 

[lost weekend]

Don’t get a habit on pregabalin (Lyrica).
The withdrawals are nasty and sometimes lethal.
It works on the GABA B receptor - like alcohol.
I am dependent on them and it’s so hard to get off. You need to slowly titrate off it - which is hard because sometimes when you have a bad day you take a hand full. 900mg +but I don’t feel the euphoria like some people - it just makes me feel calm.
I usually don’t abuse it, I take it for anxiety - I self medicate because doctors just try and fill me with SSRIs. I’ve tried 5-6 different types and they feel like poison… they say take a few months to work… so what am i supposed to do about my anxiety until they “start to work”.

I’ve felt like absolute shit on them.
A few doctors told me diazepam isn’t for anxiety… bullshit. Benzos are for anxiety - yes they have other uses, but they are mainly for anxiety - especially alprazolam which they don’t prescribe in the UK. God knows why.

I’d rather be on diazepam for the rest of my life - but prescribed so i don’t rely on self medicate. I wonder if i go and tell them dependant and rely on illegal sources and I can’t get them no more and its life threatening when I run out…
Sorry went a bit off topic… I don’t have any one to talk to.

Just be careful with pregabalin (Lyrica)
Its easy to get addicted

If you said you were dependent on diazepam or any benzo in uk they would fob you off to a drop in clinic and they would tell you to taper your own supply
This bullshit you read on NHS websites about doctors putting you on a taper is horse shit
If your past the point of any chance of a seizure you get nothing

 

[Jnowhere]

The past year I have been abusing Lyrica, of course both alcohol and weed mixed in there too.
I have tried so many times to stop, but it only lasts a few weeks at max.
I am now 15 days off alcohol and it's been really easy, since after every relapse, I started up on a smaller and smaller amount everytime.
At the same time I stopped Lyrica 450mg (not my greatest idea), but kept the weed.

At day 9, the worst side effects were gone from Lyrica, but I was still craving Lyrica, and I ended up relapsing, the whole 30 min walk to the last pharmacy that had night shift, I kept telling myself to not do it, but I felt at peace after buying them, all my negative thoughts and what was stressing me went away just holding the box.

I went home, and instantly took 450mg, and it felt so great.
The thing I enjoy from it is just the whole kind of nodding off, or the kind of feeling of having to manually breath, it's just nice to feel so relaxed.
I told myself next day, I didn't want to do it again, but we all know how that story ends.

I'm at a loss, I genuinely want to stop, but I can't, because it's like saying your last goodbye to a good friend.
But another side of me don't want to give up on and stop forever on Lyrica.

I have thought about tapering off, but in my head I'm like "That's a waste of money and a good high".

All in all, my question to you all is, how did you stop your addiction when it felt like the only thing that makes you happy?

I got allergic to alcohol and that stopped me. I am no longer as allergic and can drink. But honestly, I went through such misery that I am like traumatized by it.

I don't want to spend hours trying to explain all of it. However, the negative consequences of drinking, which was something I loved and relieved stress was not that hard for me. It is weird because I don't feel like I was an alcoholic.

However, I just liked not dealing with shit and escaping. But at a high cost. I nearly died and almost killed my liver.

I only stopped by becoming allergic.
However, I learned one important thing. When having a craving for something it best to have had some really bad experiences with it.

If you have; then focus on them only. Think about the bad stuff. I know Lyrica can cause withdrawals, but I have no idea how bad they are.

If you have had them and they were bad; keep thinking about the misery, if there was any.

Learning to hate a substance is one the way to quit on your own. Putting time between use can also make it easier. Like you described about alcohol.

Good Luck

 

[nato23]

If you said you were dependent on diazepam or any benzo in uk they would fob you off to a drop in clinic and they would tell you to taper your own supply
This bullshit you read on NHS websites about doctors putting you on a taper is horse shit
If your past the point of any chance of a seizure you get nothing

It’s a piss take isn’t it… I got hooked on opioids and they gave me buprenorphine the next day
I have to go and get my weekly supply every week, but you get junkies who take the piss and get their methadone and still use. You get drug tested monthly and if you have heroin in your system you have to have your methadone supervised.
They are starting to help pregabalin dependency, I think they are weary of sending people off with a box of uk Pharma diazepam because they’ll be people who’ll just abuse the system and sell them.

 

[lost weekend]

It’s a piss take isn’t it… I got hooked on opioids and they gave me buprenorphine the next day
I have to go and get my weekly supply every week, but you get junkies who take the piss and get their methadone and still use. You get drug tested monthly and if you have heroin in your system you have to have your methadone supervised.
They are starting to help pregabalin dependency, I think they are weary of sending people off with a box of uk Pharma diazepam because they’ll be people who’ll just abuse the system and sell them.

YehI don't know the ins and outs of heroin substitutes but it seems there's a pretty good/rapid safety net
You get fuck all for benzo withdrawl apart from a red mark against your name making sure your never to be given any medication that might cause slight euphoria
Pregabs halted my benzo withdrawal for 2 weeks and probably would have done indefinitely if I had access to them ,but I didn't so spent 4 months in hell