The only thing about the baclofen that bothers me are the side effects...especially after long term alcoholism....I could not figure out how the GABA-b receptor agonist like baclofen can potentially stop cravings for alcohol when studies have shown alcohol may involve an increase in dopamine and GABA-a.(the euphoria from dopamine and the sedative effects of GABA-a combined are what most alcoholics crave(well at least after my own research of neurotransmitters.....and way to many other neurotransmitters)......but i do see how the effects of a selective GABA receptors like baclofen can help by mimicking the side effects of the alcohol on the GABA-a receptor.....but probably not for long and the side effects are dangerous.....and long term side effects...If i were an alcoholic...I am not sure what I would choose....because both can cause life threatening side effects...and withdraw....The more I think about it it is driving me crazy to know how a drug like baclofen (acting on GABA-b) and the side effects and withdraw is almost exactly like Benzo's (acting on GABA-a)..what is even the point of switching.....You would really have to outweigh all the risks and benefits.....which in this case I really can't tell you because both alcohol and baclofen cause impaired thinking.......sedative effects....severe withdraw............
baclofen rocks, I just got on it today. I was skeptical at first. I was prescribed it for very intense, physically overwhelming and pervasive cravings for cocaine. Besides acting as a wonderfully comfortable anxiolytic, it sort of "quiets" or turns down the volume of that part of my brain that sometimes SCREAMS for cocaine or other drugs. Man, before I filled my prescription and began taking it I was sooo pissed off, for who knows what reason, maybe just from being sober. But wow, the difference after taking a typical dose (10-20 mg 3-4 times a day, i.e. 30-80mg a day) I am so grateful for this prescription. So much so that I attempted to call my prescribing doctor to personally thank her for making such a good call about what medications would help with these cravings that have plagued me from my first day of abstinence from cocaine.
Give it a try if you get a chance, it seems like a safe drug with a lot of benefits, especially compared to alcohol which is known to do some serious brain damage. Good luck!!
Give it a try if you get a chance, it seems like a safe drug with a lot of benefits, especially compared to alcohol which is known to do some serious brain damage. Good luck!!