Gabapentin Treatment of Benzodiazepine Abuse in Methadone Maintenance Patients

Summary

The aim of this project is to study the use of gabapentin in reducing benzodiazepine abuse in methadone maintenance patients. A second aim is to study the effects of gabapentin on craving, mood, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in methadone maintenance patients abusing benzodiazepines. The proposed protocol is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot outpatient trial of gabapentin in the treatment of benzodiazepine abuse in methadone maintenance patients. All subjects will receive weekly manual-guided psychotherapy directed at achieving abstinence and improving current functioning. The primary outcome measure, benzodiazepine use, will be assessed weekly by a combination of self-report (time line follow-back method) and urine toxicology. Associated psychological symptoms of craving, mood, anxiety, and sleep disturbance, will be assessed by a combination of clinician and self-rated instruments. The investigators hypothesize that individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment who are abusing (nonprescribed use) benzodiazepines have difficulty in reducing or discontinuing benzodiazepine use because of the significant anxiety, mood, and sleep disturbance symptoms that accompany reduction in use. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant which has anxiolytic and sedating properties, may alleviate the symptoms associated with a reduction in benzodiazepine abuse and make the achievement of abstinence more likely when administered in the setting of an active psychotherapy condition.

Timeline

Start

2007-01

Primary completion

2011-01

Completion

2011-01

Publications

• Mariani JJ, Malcolm RJ, Mamczur AK, Choi JC, Brady R, Nunes E, Levin FR. Pilot trial of gabapentin for the treatment of benzodiazepine abuse or dependence in methadone maintenance patients. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2016 May;42(3):333-40. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1125493. Epub 2016 Mar 10.

Drugs

Indications