Descriptions of Gabapentin Misuse and Associated Behaviors among a Sample of Opioid (Mis)users in South Florida

ABSTRACT

Gabapentin has received increased attention due to a growing number of reports of misuse and diversion. However, significant details about gabapentin misuse are scant. Data are drawn from a mixed-methods study examining gabapentin misuse in South Florida. The sample includes 49 respondents who were age 18 or over and reported past year use of illicit opioids and/or the misuse of prescription opioid medications, as well as, recent (past 90 days) gabapentin misuse. Respondents were female (40.8%), Hispanic (30.6%), Black (16.3%), white (49.0%), and other race/ethnicity (4.1%). Mean age was 37.6. Many respondents (43%) misused gabapentin without ever receiving a prescription and 14% misused prior to being prescribed. Mean frequency of recent misuse was 25.4 days and included a mean of 51.65 pills/doses. Prevalent routes of administration included swallowing (85.7%) and snorting (10.2%). Gabapentin misuse occurred concomitantly with any opioid (44.9%), benzodiazepines (38.8%), alcohol (24.5%), and powder cocaine (24.5), among others. Respondents’ descriptions indicate that gabapentin produces feelings reminiscent of alcohol intoxication or opioid-induced euphoria, but for some it produces no noticeable effect or only alleviates pain. Greater understanding of gabapentin misuse, especially associated behaviors and concomitant use is needed to inform prevention and intervention efforts, and to guide policy approaches.

KEYWORDS:

• Gabapentin
• routes of administration
• concomitant use
• opioids
• qualitative

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by DHHS Grant Number R03 DA043613 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The content is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse [R03 DA043613].