Pregabalin Addiction: The Causes, Symptoms and Side Effects
For a lot of people, pregabalin can bring real relief, but misusing it or taking it for longer than needed can be a slippery slope to pregabalin addiction. If you are worried about how much pregabalin you’re taking or if stopping feels impossible, help is available. With professional prescription drug addiction treatment and ongoing support, recovery from pregabalin addiction is possible.
What is pregabalin?
Pregabalin, often available under the brand name Lyrica, is an anticonvulsant used to treat anxiety, nerve pain (like from diabetes or shingles), epilepsy (to control seizures), fibromyalgia and sometimes to soothe the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It works by calming overactive nerves in your body and brain, which helps with pain and also reduces the risk of seizures.
Pregabalin can be a very effective and safe medicine when the correct dose is given and your doctor supervises your use. Like any medicine, however, some people can have adverse reactions to pregabalin. Some of the most common pregabalin side effects include:
- Feeling drowsy or dizzy
- Putting on weight
- Blurry vision
- Swelling in your hands and feet
- Mood changes
- Trouble concentrating
Unfortunately, some less common but more serious pregabalin side effects can include:
- Allergic reactions
- Problems with breathing
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Pregabalin addiction
What is pregabalin addiction?
Pregabalin addiction means you keep using the medicine again and again, even after you realise it’s causing problems in your life. Unlike some drugs, pregabalin doesn’t necessarily give you any kind of noticeable buzz, so pregabalin addiction usually starts with a genuine prescription. Pregabalin tends to work really well at first but you can build a very fast tolerance and need ever-increasing amounts to get results. You can then become physically dependent upon pregabalin, and if you try to cut down, you get hit with withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, nausea and sweating.
You can also reach a point where pregabalin feels like the only way to get through tough days and, eventually, any day at all. When you are stuck in that place, facing life without pregabalin can seem unimaginable without professional pregabalin detox and rehab.
How to spot telltale pregabalin addiction symptoms?
As with other forms of prescription drug addiction, you may not even realise you have become addicted to pregabalin until real harm starts to be done. If you are unsure whether you have crossed that line, here are some pregabalin addiction symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored:
- Upping your pregabalin dose because the old amount doesn’t work anymore
- Going out of your way to find more pregabalin, even if it means doing something immoral or illegal
- Keeping secrets about your pregabalin use from friends and family
- Missing work, school or important moments because of pregabalin
- Using money meant for other important things to buy pregabalin
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t have pregabalin
- Carrying on using even when it’s causing problems everywhere
If you spot these patterns in your own life, it’s not too late. Talking to someone and asking for help can make all the difference.
Pregabalin factsheet
- In 2022, there were 441 deaths linked to pregabalin in England & Wales, up from just 9 in 2012. That makes it one of the fastest‑rising causes of prescription drug‑related fatalities in the UK.
- Between 2004 and 2020, pregabalin was involved in 2,322 drug-related deaths in England and Wales
- In 2022, approximately 8.6 million prescriptions for pregabalin were issued in England.
- The UK government reclassified pregabalin as a Class C drug (Schedule 3) under the Misuse of Drugs Act in April 2019, meaning it is illegal to have or share without a prescription.
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Finding the best addiction treatment is vital for long-term recovery success. Our friendly and compassionate team will hold your hand through the process until you learn to love yourself again.
What factors increase the chances of pregabalin abuse and addiction?
As well as pregabalin’s inherent habit-forming potential, addiction also stems from a mix of factors which are unique to each person. These include:
Your genetic makeup and environment
Genetics can play a big part in addiction risk, which is why it often seems to be passed down from parents to children. The risk is made even greater when children grow up around a lot of drug use.
Mental health struggles
Trauma, anxiety or depression can all drive people to use pregabalin for self-medicating purposes. This is in the hope that it will make things easier or just numb painful emotions, but initial relief often gives way to worsening symptoms.
How accessible pregabalin is
If pregabalin is easy to get through prescriptions or other means, the chances of pregabalin abuse and developing addiction increase significantly.
Your character and friends
People who are naturally impulsive, like to experiment or who hang out with a lot of people who use drugs, are more likely to misuse pregabalin and become addicted.
How is pregabalin addiction screened?
To screen for pregabalin addiction, a rehab specialist will ask about your prescription, how you use pregabalin and whether you’ve noticed any negative effects on your life or relationships. They may also use specific checklists, like the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders, to see how many symptoms fit your situation.
You may also be asked about withdrawal symptoms, cravings or risky behaviours linked to pregabalin use. If your answers show that pregabalin is starting to take over your life, your doctor will talk to you about your pregabain rehab and detox options.
What are the most dangerous pregabalin side effects and addiction risks?
Pregabalin abuse and addiction can cause many dangers that can hit suddenly or build gradually. Some of the biggest risks include:
Pregabalin overdose
When you misuse pregabalin, your risk of overdose goes up dramatically, especially if you mix pregabalin and alcohol, opioids or other sedatives. Signs of a pregabalin overdose include slurred speech, extreme drowsiness, breathing that slows or stops and even coma. Pregabalin overdoses can be fatal and hundreds of people tragically lose their lives in Britain every year.
Accidents and injuries
Pregabalin can make you dizzy, clumsy or extremely sleepy, which means you’re more likely to fall, drop things or have dangerous accidents—driving while under the effects of pregabalin can be particularly dangerous.
Mental health struggles
Pregabalin addiction can cause mood swings, depression or make you feel more anxious than before. Some people experience confusion or even see or hear things that aren’t there. If you already struggle with your mental health, these effects can get much worse.
Memory and concentration problems
It is also common to feel foggy, forgetful or unable to focus when using too much pregabalin. This can make work, study or even basic tasks much harder than they used to be.
Withdrawal symptoms
When your body gets used to pregabalin, stopping suddenly can make you feel very sick. You may feel shaky, sweaty, anxious or have trouble sleeping, all of which can make quitting on your own very hard.
Finding help if you have a pregabalin addiction
Pregabalin dependence can make you feel isolated or ashamed, but you’re not on your own, and there’s no need to face this in silence. Here at Providence Projects, we welcome you with a pregabalin addiction treatment plan designed for comprehensive recovery, utilsing our signature treatment pathway.
Whenever you’re ready, contact us to find out more.
Reach out to our expert support team 24 hours a day
Start the Pregabalin Rehabilitation Process Today
Finding the best addiction treatment is vital for long-term recovery success. Our friendly and compassionate team will hold your hand through the process until you learn to love yourself again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can combining pregabalin and alcohol be dangerous?
Yes, it is possible to overdose on ecstasy. Taking too much MDMA can cause your body to overheat dangerously, which may lead to organ failure, seizures or even death. Some people have also experienced serious heart problems, especially when combining ecstasy with other substances or using it in hot, crowded places like clubs or festivals.
Can the effects of pregabalin addiction become irreversible?
Some effects of pregabalin addiction, like memory loss, mood swings or nerve damage, can last a long time, especially if you use pregabalin for many years. While many people recover fully, others may have ongoing health issues even after stopping. The sooner you seek help, however, the better your chances of making a full recovery.
How long does pregabalin’s effect last?
Pregabalin usually starts working about thirty minutes to an hour after you take it. The effects can then last anywhere from six to twelve hours, depending on your dose and how your body processes the medicine. If you are taking pregabalin for pain or anxiety, your doctor might have you take it two or three times a day to keep the effects steady.
(Click here to see works cited)
- BBC. “Pregabalin: What is it and why can it be dangerous?” BBC, 21 March 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66579996 – Accessed 28 July 2025.
- Forsyth, Laura. “’Anxiety drug’ pregabalin addiction surge sparks pleas for mental health support.” City A.M., 19 March 2024, https://www.cityam.com/anxiety-drug-pregabalin-addiction-surge-sparks-pleas-for-mental-health-support/ – Accessed 28 July 2025.
- Kalk, Nicola J et al. “Fatalities associated with gabapentinoids in England (2004-2020).” British journal of clinical pharmacology vol. 88,8 (2022): 3911-3917. doi:10.1111/bcp.15352
- Horowitz, Mark. “’If I miss a dose I have trouble breathing’: Anti-anxiety drug Pregabalin causes concern in the UK.” Euronews.com, 7 March 2024, https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/03/07/if-i-miss-a-dose-i-have-trouble-breathing-anti-anxiety-drug-pregabalin-causes-concern-in-t – Accessed 28 July 2025.
- NHS. “Pregabalin: medicine to treat epilepsy and anxiety.” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/pregabalin/ – Accessed 28 July 2025.
- Kalk, Nicola J., et al. “Fatalities Associated with Gabapentinoids in England (2004–2020).” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 88, no. 8, 2022, pp. 3911-3917, https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.15352. Accessed 28 July 2025.