Is Gabapentin Addictive?

Not in the way most people think

Last week I wrote a post about gabapentin for hot flashes in menopause (you can find that here), and I was surprised to hear several people tell me that their doctors wouldn’t prescribe it because it is addictive.

So what’s this all about?

There is a growing concern among some that gabapentin could be misused, but it’s not in the way that most people think. I suspect when the majority of people learn that a medication may be associated with substance abuse they think they will be stuck taking it forever or face terrible withdrawal and cravings if they try to stop.

Gabapentin has what are called psychotropic side effects, meaning it can have an