Gabapentin Withdrawal Help in Virginia
November 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Medically reviewed by Jeffrey H. Simon, M.D.
Medical Director, Virginia Addiction & Mental Health Center · Last reviewed November 6, 2026
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is prescribed for nerve pain and seizures and is often thought of as harmless. But taken in high doses or with opioids, it can be misused, and stopping it suddenly can make you sick.
Common withdrawal symptoms
- Anxiety, restlessness, and agitation
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating, nausea, and a fast heartbeat
- Pain returning, sometimes worse than before
- Confusion or seizures in more serious cases
A seizure or sudden confusion is an emergency. Call 911.
Why people misuse gabapentin
At high doses gabapentin can cause a relaxed, euphoric feeling, and some people use it to boost the effect of opioids or ease opioid withdrawal. That's why Virginia made it a Schedule V controlled substance. If gabapentin is part of opioid use, treating the opioid use disorder — often with medication-assisted treatment — matters as much as the taper.
Tapering safely
A prescriber reduces the dose step by step and adjusts the pace to your symptoms. The pain or anxiety it was prescribed for gets a new plan too, so you're not left without relief. Taking far more than prescribed, or also using alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids, may call for a medically supervised setting first — we coordinate detox referrals when that's the case.
Getting help
Our PHP, IOP and virtual IOP combine physician-led medication management with therapy. Call (571) 586-2883 to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
- How soon does gabapentin withdrawal start?
- Symptoms often begin within 12 to 48 hours of the last dose and can last from several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the dose and how long it was taken.
- Can gabapentin withdrawal cause seizures?
- It can, especially at high doses or in people with a seizure disorder. The prescribing information advises reducing gabapentin gradually over at least a week rather than stopping suddenly.
- Is gabapentin a controlled substance in Virginia?
- Yes. Virginia classifies gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance, and prescriptions are reported to the state Prescription Monitoring Program.
- Is it dangerous to take gabapentin with opioids?
- Yes. The combination increases the risk of slowed breathing and fatal overdose. Keep naloxone on hand and tell every prescriber about both medications.
Talk with our admissions team
A benefits check takes about five to ten minutes and there is no obligation to enroll. We are in-network with major commercial plans and can tell you what your policy covers before you commit.